Google shows dialogue with computer and video communication of the future

At the same time, Google gave a preview of the next version of its dominant smartphone system Android and introduced new privacy features in its services. The latter includes the option to delete the search query history of the past 15 minutes. Furthermore, it will be possible to set up individual folders with password protection in the photo app - for example, for pictures of documents.

The Internet company is hosting the Google I/O conference in an online format this year in light of the Corona pandemic. Unlike many other such events, the presentation was not pre-recorded, but broadcast live on Tuesday from a small stage between buildings at the company's headquarters in California. A few Google employees in masks provided the applause at a safe distance from each other as audience members.

Machine learning

Google placed particular focus on advances in the development of machine learning and artificial intelligence. The "Lamda" software was demonstrated, which can hold a conversation with a human being. The answers are not predetermined, but are generated by the program on the basis of existing information, emphasized Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Google demonstrated two examples of a dialog: The software first took on the role of the planet Pluto and then of a paper airplane. It answered questions such as whether there have already been visitors on the planet or how far the paper airplane has already flown.

Pichai said that the dialog technology is still being researched, but over time it should be incorporated into various products such as the Google Assistant voice assistant. The company wants to make its knowledge of the world as a whole increasingly available via voice. In the future, for example, it will be enough to tell the map service that you would like to take a route with a beautiful view of the mountains to your destination so that a corresponding route is selected.

Revolution for video conferencing

Artificial intelligence is also used in "Project Starline," with which Google wants to revolutionize video conversations. The system uses more than a dozen cameras and sensors to record people and lighting conditions. The images are transmitted to newly developed screens that are supposed to reproduce details particularly realistically.

A journalist from the magazine Wiredwho was able to test the system in advance, confirmed the impression that the person you are talking to is sitting directly opposite you. At the same time, the effect diminishes as soon as you don't look at the display from the right place, she qualified. According to Google, the technology has been in the works for several years - and further years of development are necessary.

Another innovation: Android will get improved privacy settings as well as stronger personalization, also in terms of looks, in the next version, which is expected in the fall.

Computer watches

Meanwhile, Google and Samsung are teaming up in the computer watch business to better compete with the market leader Apple Watch. Samsung will no longer equip its next smartwatches with its in-house operating system Tizen, but will switch to Google's Wear OS platform. At the same time, Wear is to be developed into an overarching system with Tizen elements.

Wear OS is an offshoot of Android for computer watches. Just like Android, it is freely available to manufacturers and was well received by providers of so-called fashion watches like Fossil, among others. However, unlike Android, it has not been able to conquer the market - the Apple Watch has been in the lead since its launch in 2015.

In the coming weeks, the developer conferences of Facebook and Apple will also follow, also in an online format. For the tech giants, the annual events are traditionally an important opportunity to provide an insight into their strategy. Usually, thousands of software developers and journalists come to Silicon Valley for them. In view of the Corona pandemic, the corporations have now had to switch to online events for the second year in a row. (SDA)