Google's Latest Innovations
July 28, 2015
By Rachel Kapur
By Rachel Kapur
Journalists were invited on a tour of Google's latest products on July 28th in New York City for an event entitled "Search On". The tour began with a look into Google's past with a short film on how they began and where they are now. The film showcased how they started out small and their mission has always been to organize the world and make it accessible to all. After the short film journalists were led on a tour of the company's latest offerings:
Google App
We have all used Google's search features, for most it is the only one used for their day to day operations. Google has taken their search capabilities further by creating the "Google App". This new app allows you to search in a more efficient manner allowing a user to perform voice searches. Once a user enters the app they have a customized home page based on their location with top news, places nearby, weather and of course the search function. The greatest thing about this new app for both IOS and Android users is that you can ask questions using Voice Search on a place you are visiting. For example if you are visiting a new city and see a castle, you can literally ask Google what the name and the history of the castle is and the Google app will provide you with the relevant information. The app also features a function called "Popular Times" which allows the user to avoid going to a restaurant or gym at the busiest times of the day.
Google Hangout
There are plenty of times when you are making plans with friends/family over text and trying to determine the best location to meet. Many times you both send questions back and forth about restaurant or movie choices. Once you have settled on a location, you need to determine how to get there and if the restaurant or movie is worth checking out. Android users now have the capability of clicking on a text message and having Google perform the location and rating search for you. It makes planning your day a lot easier!
Android Auto
Every year over 400,000 accidents occur by distracted drivers, Google has decided to tackle this issue and has just released the "Android Auto". This new product allows users to access their phone features through their steering wheels. This new innovative product allows users to never take their hands off their steering wheel and still have the capability of using all the key features of their Android smartphone such as calling, music, navigation and more. As of now Hyundai and Chevrolet has this new feature outfitted in their latest cars. By the end of this year a majority of new cars will feature Android Auto. For those that have older cars, brands such as Pioneer and Garmin will have products to allow users to upgrade their existing cars.
Google Cardboard
Some of you may have seen or heard of a new technology that allows users to view a 360 degree virtual video using a binocular type device with a connection to a smartphone. An example of this product is the Samsung Gear VR which is currently out in the market for over $200, Google has released a similar product but has made it affordable for all. Google Cardboard retails for $30 and has the ability to connect to both IOS and Android devices. There are over 1000 apps that are compatible with Google Cardboard and Youtube will also be releasing a number of videos that will work with the device. There's no doubt that this will be one of the hottest gifts for this holiday season!
Google Play Music
Have you ever been in a situation where you are exercising while listening to music and a slow song starts playing? Google has come out with a product that avoids that issue and allows you to play music based on your activities or mood. If you just broke up with your boyfriend- you can listen to sad songs; If you are having a party- you can play dance music. A great feature of Google Play is that you can rate each song with a thumbs up or a thumbs down which then customizes songs based on your preferences. For only $10 a month Google Play gives you access to their 30 million songs and allows you to download and listen to them offline!
Google Photos
Only two months old, Google Photos has revolutionized digital photo storage and access. If you are like us, you have photos saved on your smartphone, external hard drive, old laptops and your current laptop. In order to find a photo you have a zillion locations to visit and just as many hours trying to find the images you are looking for. Google makes your life easier by allowing you to upload unlimited photos and by granting you unlimited free storage space in the Cloud. With this new product you can search pictures without having to add any captions or tags, you can click on a persons face and see all of the pictures with that person throughout the years, your pictures will be grouped by location and date and much more. With the Google Photos App you have a virtual personal assistant that can create videos and collages for you. Google Photos makes it easier for you to share, access and search all of your precious moments!
Android Pay
Google has created a solution for purchasing items via your smartphone with Android Pay. This new feature on your Android phone allows you to pay for items, store reward card information and gift card information. For those of you that have a habit of losing your phone, Android Pay does not store your credit card information, therefore there is no need to cancel your cards upon the loss of your device. Android Pay definitely makes purchasing and organizing easier! As the name implies Android Pay is only for Android phones.
With all of its latest innovations, Google has created products to help organize and make your time more effective. Google definitely has helped to organize the world and makes everything more accessible and continues to do so through their innovative products.
For more information on Google and their new products visit: http://www.google.com
Google App
We have all used Google's search features, for most it is the only one used for their day to day operations. Google has taken their search capabilities further by creating the "Google App". This new app allows you to search in a more efficient manner allowing a user to perform voice searches. Once a user enters the app they have a customized home page based on their location with top news, places nearby, weather and of course the search function. The greatest thing about this new app for both IOS and Android users is that you can ask questions using Voice Search on a place you are visiting. For example if you are visiting a new city and see a castle, you can literally ask Google what the name and the history of the castle is and the Google app will provide you with the relevant information. The app also features a function called "Popular Times" which allows the user to avoid going to a restaurant or gym at the busiest times of the day.
Google Hangout
There are plenty of times when you are making plans with friends/family over text and trying to determine the best location to meet. Many times you both send questions back and forth about restaurant or movie choices. Once you have settled on a location, you need to determine how to get there and if the restaurant or movie is worth checking out. Android users now have the capability of clicking on a text message and having Google perform the location and rating search for you. It makes planning your day a lot easier!
Android Auto
Every year over 400,000 accidents occur by distracted drivers, Google has decided to tackle this issue and has just released the "Android Auto". This new product allows users to access their phone features through their steering wheels. This new innovative product allows users to never take their hands off their steering wheel and still have the capability of using all the key features of their Android smartphone such as calling, music, navigation and more. As of now Hyundai and Chevrolet has this new feature outfitted in their latest cars. By the end of this year a majority of new cars will feature Android Auto. For those that have older cars, brands such as Pioneer and Garmin will have products to allow users to upgrade their existing cars.
Google Cardboard
Some of you may have seen or heard of a new technology that allows users to view a 360 degree virtual video using a binocular type device with a connection to a smartphone. An example of this product is the Samsung Gear VR which is currently out in the market for over $200, Google has released a similar product but has made it affordable for all. Google Cardboard retails for $30 and has the ability to connect to both IOS and Android devices. There are over 1000 apps that are compatible with Google Cardboard and Youtube will also be releasing a number of videos that will work with the device. There's no doubt that this will be one of the hottest gifts for this holiday season!
Google Play Music
Have you ever been in a situation where you are exercising while listening to music and a slow song starts playing? Google has come out with a product that avoids that issue and allows you to play music based on your activities or mood. If you just broke up with your boyfriend- you can listen to sad songs; If you are having a party- you can play dance music. A great feature of Google Play is that you can rate each song with a thumbs up or a thumbs down which then customizes songs based on your preferences. For only $10 a month Google Play gives you access to their 30 million songs and allows you to download and listen to them offline!
Google Photos
Only two months old, Google Photos has revolutionized digital photo storage and access. If you are like us, you have photos saved on your smartphone, external hard drive, old laptops and your current laptop. In order to find a photo you have a zillion locations to visit and just as many hours trying to find the images you are looking for. Google makes your life easier by allowing you to upload unlimited photos and by granting you unlimited free storage space in the Cloud. With this new product you can search pictures without having to add any captions or tags, you can click on a persons face and see all of the pictures with that person throughout the years, your pictures will be grouped by location and date and much more. With the Google Photos App you have a virtual personal assistant that can create videos and collages for you. Google Photos makes it easier for you to share, access and search all of your precious moments!
Android Pay
Google has created a solution for purchasing items via your smartphone with Android Pay. This new feature on your Android phone allows you to pay for items, store reward card information and gift card information. For those of you that have a habit of losing your phone, Android Pay does not store your credit card information, therefore there is no need to cancel your cards upon the loss of your device. Android Pay definitely makes purchasing and organizing easier! As the name implies Android Pay is only for Android phones.
With all of its latest innovations, Google has created products to help organize and make your time more effective. Google definitely has helped to organize the world and makes everything more accessible and continues to do so through their innovative products.
For more information on Google and their new products visit: http://www.google.com