We have just made the jump of the year. Just released 2017, it is the ideal time to look back and take stock of 2016, if we have not already done so, a year that, without a doubt, has had great significance and importance for Google with notable movements and newsWithout forgetting that it was the first full year in which Google was no longer Google, but a company sheltered from Alphabet, the large parent company.
For many, the launch of the new Pixel smartphones, as well as other hardware launches from the company, have been the most outstanding moves that the Mountain View company has made in 2016. They are probably right, but 2016 has been much more than that. Well, it has been twelve months in which Google has demonstrated a clear focus on artificial intelligence, the XNUMXth anniversary of the Google I / O developer conference, and more.
Google's 2016
Now that we are in 2017, we take a quick look at what we could define as "Google's biggest wins of the year." Google has done a lot of work on hardware and computing, but over the last twelve months it became clear that these two areas will define the company's future.
Google Pixel
The Pixel is the first XNUMX% Google smartphone, not so much because of its manufacture, which is still the work of HTC, but because of its importance beyond the hardware. Google has worked for unite the hardware and software experience with this device, and thus has launched what it defines as "the best Android phone."
Although it is not a perfect smartphone, its battery life is above average, it has one of the best cameras on a smartphone, it is fast and fluid thanks to a highly optimized version of Android 7.0 Nougat, it has a unique design , is VR ready with Daydream support…
As pointed out by 9to5Google, »the launch of Pixel shows without a doubt that Google has an interest in selling its own consumer hardware to the masses, not just tech enthusiasts., a trend that has been demonstrated with other hardware releases in 2016.
Android Nougat
To complement the Pixel, Google also released the XNUMXth version of your mobile operating system, Android 7 Nougat, with more than 70 new emoji, a new multi-window view, the ability to quickly switch between applications with a double tap of the multitasking button, support for the Vulkan API on some devices, improved Doze functions to save battery , grouped notifications, fast notification response, and much more. Sadly, the Android Nougat adoption figures haven't beat Android Marshmallow or Android Lollipop. So although Android Nougat may have been a great launch, hardly anyone yet takes advantage of its advantages.
Google Daydream + Daydream View
Google also presented its new VR platform, Daydream, which allows interaction with the smartphone and provides a window to all this virtual reality content through the Daydream application.
Google Assistant
It is an expansion of the Google Now assistant, but now the focus is to make it your single central AI portal for all things Google. The Pixel was the first smartphone to receive Google Assistant, which can understand the context of conversation and queries, control other devices such as Nest thermostats, Chromecasts, and thanks to new APIs, they will soon link to your favorite apps.
Google Home
A voice-controlled speaker similar to the Amazon Echo, but which is the only one that also takes advantage of Google Assistant.
Google Wifi
A wireless network system for the whole house through which to connect multiple devices achieving great efficiency.
Plus…
- Chromecast Ultra, the evolution of the Chromecast that we all already know
- Android apps on Chrome OS
- Google Allo and Google Duo, the new bet for instant messaging