Google: It’s All About Android

Google’s seventh annual I/O developer conference was Android-centric | Photo courtesy Google

Last week, Google held its seventh annual Google I/O developer conference, and as expected, it was an Android-centric show. The biggest emphasis was to take its mobile OS everywhere — your car, your body, your TV and to work. The goal is for Android to be contextually aware, flowing from place to place with you, whether it be on your wrist, your car or a controller on your computer.

In comes Android Wear — it will support various screen configurations (i.e., circular or square) and understand your voice, so you can interact with it. You can tell it things, such as “OK, Google” or “remind me to check my email when I get home.” It will then sync to your phone to set that reminder. When you ask a question into your watch, you get the answer via your phone and it is sent to your wrist. Wear can show your incoming calls, and you can decline your calls from your wrist, as well. You also can control other devices with your wrist, such as a sound system. The wearables are the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live, which are available now on Google Play, and the Moto 360 from Motorola will be available in a few months.

Then there’s Android Auto — you connect your Android phone to your car, and you have Google Maps at your fingertips with your car’s controls. You’ll also be able to access your playlists and radio stations through Play Music, simple-to-use voice search and reminders from Google Now. Of course, you can do that now with any smartphone, but using your car is safer than fiddling with your phone. Google states we’ll see Android Auto in cars later this year.

In your home, you may remember Google’s Chrome-cast that released last year (the small, very affordable device that lets you broadcast online video, music and anything from the Web to your TV). It will be receiving an update to make it even more powerful and easier to use. New features include the ability to allow others to cast to your TV without being on the same WiFi network, a customizable homescreen with personalized photos/artwork, and casting exactly what’s on your Android phone/tablet to your TV.

Additionally, Android TV will be there as a separate box or as part of your TV (various companies to support). With it you can do a voice search to find a live TV show or something from Google Play or play your favorite Android games. And, of course, it supports Google Cast technology (what Chromecast uses). I have a Chromecast, so it will be exciting to see how all this Android-mania will pan out.

GoPro’s IPO

As you’re probably aware, GoPro’s founder Nicholas

Woodman has Hawaii ties, as he recently purchased some property on the North Shore. The company went public with an upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO) last week.This marks one of the largest consumer electronics IPO since Duracell did its IPO back in the 1990s.

Is it worth buying some shares? I’m no stock expert, but I do love GoPro’s line and did purchase some shares.

clickchick@outlook.com