Google’s biggest announcements at I/O 2022

Google has concluded its two-hour I/O keynote, which was jam-packed with information. AI, Android, and, of course, a slew of Pixel hardware were all mentioned. Here are the most important announcements from Wednesday.

THE PIXEL 6A HAS GOOGLE'S FLAGSHIP CHIP BUT IS NOT THE BEST CAMERA IN THE WORLD

The Pixel 6A, Google's latest mid-tier phone, will be available for presale on July 21st and will cost $449. For this phone, the firm appears to be flipping the script from prior A models, which sported a camera similar to Google's premium Pixels but lesser CPUs. The 6A, on the other hand, has the same Tensor processor and design as the Pixel 6, but with a 12-megapixel camera instead of the 50MP on the Pixel 6.

Oh, and despite Google's two-minute advertisement last year touting the Pixel 5A's headphone port, the 6A lacks one.

THE PIXEL WATCH WILL BE RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR

The hardware for the Pixel Watch has been widely leaked, so it's no surprise that it's on our list, but Google has now shown us what the software will be like. The device will run an upgraded version of Wear OS 3 and will include a Fitbit connection for tracking your health indicators. However, there are still several unresolved (and crucial) issues regarding the watch: we don't know what sort of chip it will use or how much it will cost. It'll be released alongside the Pixel 7 later this fall.

The next generation of Pixel phones is on the horizon. Here’s a first look at the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro — equipped with a new generation of Google Tensor and a sleek design. Coming this fall. #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/WMysJv1lZP

— Google (@Google) May 11, 2022

WHAT'S UP, PIXEL 7?

Oh yeah. Yes, Google teased the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro with a few renderings, revealing the phones' slightly different camera cutouts and rear panels. The 7 and 7 Pro will have two and three cameras, respectively, like Google's existing Pixels. However, the pink color will reportedly go away, and I will never be joyful again.

THE ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION IN GOOGLE'S PIXEL BUDS PRO

Let's go right to the point: Google has launched its take on Apple's AirPods Pro. The Pixel Buds Pro will cost $199 and will have an estimated seven-hour battery life while utilizing active noise canceling. The Buds will include a proprietary audio processor and will enable Bluetooth multipoint, allowing them to connect to two devices at once, according to Google. That's a great technique, and it's not very common in the world of earbuds. They'll be available in a variety of hues, including black, red, and green, and preorders will begin on July 21st.

A TENSOR-DRIVEN TABLET IS ON THE WAY

Google has revealed that an Android-powered tablet will be released next year as a "great partner for Pixel with a bigger form factor." This one has been written on the wall for quite some time. (Android 12L focuses on large-screen experiences, and Mountain View has made several tablet-related hires.) However, it's encouraging to hear that Google is considering re-entering the tablet market. The only solid hardware information we have on Google's next product is that it will use a Tensor chip.

GOOGLE IS DEVELOPING AR GLASSES

Google showed out a pair of AR glasses capable of real-time translation during a discussion right towards the end of its presentation. There are few specifics on whether this will be a commercial product, but it's intriguing to see further signs of Google's desire to join firms like Snap and Meta in the battle to put augmented reality on your face.

THE POWER OF GOOGLE'S AI IS INCREASING.

Google's I/O presentation, as is customary, was jam-packed with AI announcements. The most significant is that it will begin allowing users to test its language model. LaMDA 2 will not be available to everyone, but Google plans to integrate it into its search and other businesses in the future (though it wants to do so very slowly).

There were also a number of lesser AI-related stories. Google announced that its automatic translations are coming to YouTube on mobile, that you'll be able to just look at your Nest Hub Max and start talking to the assistant, and that your phone will be able to look at a shelf full of chocolate bars and choose one for you based on what you're looking for. Google defined the last one as "a supercharged Ctrl-F for the world around you."

Multisearch, which allows you to search across many axes, is also being expanded by the firm. You may, for example, show Google a picture of a certain style of cuisine and ask it where you might get it locally.

GOOGLE TRIES TO IMPLY THAT IT CARES ABOUT USER PRIVACY

Google made a number of security and privacy announcements, including plans for the My Ad Center interface, which would allow users to personalize the sorts of advertising they see by choosing from a variety of themes or opting to see fewer ads on a certain issue. It also stated that the business is working to include more security protections by default in its devices, as well as the notion of "protected computing," which involves doing more processing on-device rather than transferring data outside.

ANDROID 13 DUPLICATES THE FEATURES OF ANDROID 12

Google discussed its ambitions for Android 13, and the next edition of its mobile operating system appears to build on the concepts offered in Android 12. Material You themes are being added to more locations, as well as the ability to set applications to utilize other languages and a few security and privacy features. That doesn't sound like a game-changing announcement, but as my colleague Jon Porter points out, that's probably for the best. Because Android 12 was a bit of a mess, a year of tweaks and tiny changes is definitely in order.

The beta is now accessible for anybody who wishes to test it out.

THE GOOGLE WALLET HAS RETURNED

Google is bringing back its Wallet app, which will allow you to store not just your credit cards, but also your passes, loyalty program memberships, immunization records, and more. According to Google, the app is designed for the digital identity era. While I recognize that this is most likely the future, it doesn't make me like my actual Google Wallet debit card any less.

GOOGLE MAPS IS BECOMING MORE "IMMERSIVE"

Google Maps is receiving a new option that's practically aerial Street Perspective – in some locations, you'll be able to obtain a bird's-eye view of a spot to get a better sense of the topography before getting lost in the streets below.