Android at Google I/O: 11 Things Expected on Android 5.0 and Chrome Plus 3 Developers' Wishes
Google I/O event begins tomorrow and the fans are looking forward to the next generation Android, Chrome updates and the anticipated Nexus 8 slate. Here are the things you should expect and what tools developers' are wishing to improve.
Things You Should Watch Out
Around 11 things are expected to be discussed at Google I/O 2014 and it includes Android wearable gadgets, next version of Android OS, Android TV, home automation, Nexus series, Android Silver and Chrome OS based on the details from The Verge.
1. Android Wear will support new wearable gadgets for most Android devices such as Moto 360 and LG G Watch with compatibility to Google Now functionalities. Certain built-in features will also become available on these wearable items including notifications, alerts, navigation and voice control.
2. Android 5.0 is the rumoured next generation Android OS which may include various changes such as user interface revamped and unification with Chrome. However, there are no official confirmations if Google will push out the update after the event. Android KitKat was launched late last year.
3. Android TV may receive a huge overhaul and may be released later on which was demonstrated at the CES event this year. Chromecast is the similar feature to Android TV supported on devices running Android 4.4 KitKat.
4. Android Car Support is another possible innovation for the next generation Android. Android OS has been running on a wide variety of devices such as phone, tablet, wristwatch and television. Google's possible aim with car automation may act similar to Apple's CarPlay remote system.
5. Home Automation is a part of the Android@Home group which allows control over home appliances. Currently, certain brands have enabled support for Android to control refrigerators, television sets and even cameras.
6. Google Glass is not yet fully commercial but earned steady progress so far. It costs at least $1500 each and allows a variety of function such as video recording and email.
7. Android Silver is rumoured to be implemented on 2015 and may replace the Nexus line. This project intends to support certain devices running the latest Android and have minimal customisation.
8. Nexus 6 and Nexus 8 are both under the limelight for possible launching this year. Rumours expect Nexus 8 grand appearance at Google I/O while Nexus 6 may appear later this year.
9. Chrome OS improvements may pave way to the unification with Android OS and possible future support of touch commands on Chromebooks.
10. Google Plus may be one of the focuses at the event to bolster its performance as a social networking site. Improvements may concentrate on integration with other Google services and upgrades on Google Photos.
11. Several projects are being counted such as Project Ara modular smartphones, Project Tango for 3D mapping on tablets, Google Fibre for high speed Internet connection and other weirder developments for Google services.
Developers' Wishes
Developers of Android OS have their own wishes for Google and it revolves on wearable gadgets, stable version of the Android Studio and a lighter weight programming language.
1. According to senior developer at UK publisher IPC Media Radek Simko, wearable gadgets are new and still just a software preview. They wanted to have the opportunity to test them on real hardware components and hope to be included at the event.
2. Simpler Android Studio for Google Glass may enable more developers to build applications and increase available help online.
3. Improvements on the Android programming language to become lighter other than using Java.
"Apple developers just got a chance to use Swift when building iOS apps and I'd love to see Google supporting either Go or Dart on Android," Marius Mathiesen, head of Android development at Norwegian consultant Shortcut to Computer World.
If Dart joins the support for Android, it may be able to replace Javascript while Go aims to combine ease of programming with speed.