Google announced 15 of the best things at Google IO 2023.

A vast range of cutting-edge innovations and improvements were displayed at the yearly Google I/O developer conference, all of which were intended to improve user experiences across numerous platforms.

By integrating cutting-edge technologies for online protection and offering new generative AI capabilities for search, Google emphasized its commitment to enhancing user experiences and guaranteeing user safety.

Significant improvements for Android, Pixel devices, and Google Photos were also released. The presentation of PaLM 2, Google’s most recent generative language model, was a conference highlight. The math, coding, reasoning, multilingual translation, and natural language creation capabilities of this ground-breaking model outperform those of earlier language models.

Along with these developments, Google reaffirmed its dedication to responsible AI, pledging to tackle urgent social issues like climate change and flood forecasts while upholding moral AI standards.

The following are the 15 key announcements from Google IO that we believe you will find interesting:

1. PaLM 2, next generation language model: Google has introduced PaLM 2, a next-generation language model that is intended to enhance language translation, reasoning, and coding capabilities. The model has received more training on multilingual text and exhibits superior logic, common sense reasoning, and mathematical skills.Furthermore, PaLM 2 is more effective and quicker than earlier models because it was pre-trained on datasets of publicly accessible source code. PaLM 2 will come in four sizes—Gecko, Otter, Bison, and Unicorn—from smallest to largest, making it adaptable for a variety of use cases. 25 new Google products and features will be powered by the model, which includes Bard and Med-PaLM 2, a medical competency model that can answer queries and summarize key points from lengthy medical literature. PaLM 2 details can be found here.

   
   2. Expansion of Bard: Bard’s reach is now more than 180 nations and territories thanks to the removal of the backlog, the addition of the Japanese and Korean languages, and plans to serve the top 40 languages spoken worldwide.

   3. Image Capabilities: Google is making it simpler to use photos as prompts for Bard by introducing Google Lens. By offering aesthetically instructive answers to queries, this text and image integration in Bard hopes to improve the user experience. Users have the option to incorporate photos in their suggestions, opening up new avenues for imagination and creativity. more info

   4. Developer Features for Bard: In response to developer input, Google is releasing three new methods to use Bard: giving you the source of specific code blocks, making code citations even more precise. This also applies to citing narrative content from other websites, adding export to Replit, and introducing the Dark theme to Bard to make it easier to see in low light. more info

   5. Export to Docs and Gmail: Google is facilitating users’ ability to continue their work by allowing users to export Bard’s responses to Google Docs or Gmail. The formatting is preserved so users don’t have to copy, paste, and reformat Bard’s responses in order to continue editing straight in Docs or Gmail.

   6. Integration with Apps: While preserving user control over privacy settings, Bard will integrate with a number of Google apps and services, including Docs, Drive, Gmail, Maps, and more. In order to provide users with as many options as possible, the platform will also interact with outside businesses and partners, such as Khan Academy for education, Kayak for travel, Instacart for groceries, and Wolfram for computational expertise. more info

   7. Generative AI will be incorporated into all Workspace apps:
   One may write, organize, visualize, speed up workflows, have deeper meetings, and do a lot more with the additional features. Google refers to this potent new method of operation as Duet AI for Workspace. Google is integrating generative AI into Slides and introducing the generative AI experience to Gmail on mobile so that users can quickly and simply generate original graphics with only a few words. With automated data classification and the production of unique tables, the generative AI will assist with data analysis and action on Sheets. more info.

   8. Generative AI Simplifies Shopping: Google uses generative AI to speed up and greatly simplify the process of shopping by giving customers a quick overview of important aspects to take into account while looking for a product. This new generative AI shopping experience, which is based on Google’s Shopping Graph, provides customers with a smooth and well-informed decision-making process. more info

   9. Search Labs: Google’s cutting-edge generative AI capabilities are now available through Search Labs, a ground-breaking platform that lets consumers explore and interact with search’s early-stage projects. Users can test out the Search Generative Experience (SGE) on Chrome desktop and the Google App in the US (available in English at launch) by signing up for Search Labs. more info.

   10. Creative Compose: Creative Compose, a new Messages by Google feature powered by generative AI, can help you add an extra spark of personality to your conversations. The feature offers suggested responses based on the context of your messages and can even transform your writing into different styles. Release set for July. More here
   
   11. New AI features in Android: Google’s upcoming Android 14 update (expected later this year) promises to change the way users personalise their smartphone experience, taking customization to the next level. Material You customization enables users to personalise their lock screen with new shortcuts, clocks, and a monochrome colour theme. The update also offers diverse wallpaper options, including emoji, cinematic, and generative AI wallpapers that allow users to generate unique designs based on their preferences. To enhance social media, Google is bringing Night Mode and 10-bit HDR video support to popular social apps like Instagram. The Android 14 update introduces Ultra HDR, promising stunning photo quality and raising the bar for smartphone photography. More here

3 phone shells each showing a different UI screen. Left phone cycling through different stylized clocks, middle phone is showing different shortcut options that can be selected on your homescreen, right phone is showing a monochrome grey home screen.

12. Reimagine Your Photos with Magic Editor in Google Photos: The new experimental editing feature, Magic Editor, powered by generative AI, will enable users to make complex photo edits effortlessly without requiring professional editing skills. Users can selectively edit specific parts of an image, such as the subject, sky, or background, for more control over the final appearance of their photos. More here
13. Features and Updates to Enhance Online Safety and Trust: Google’s new suite of features and updates aims to improve online safety and provide users with reliable access to trustworthy content and information. The “About This Image” tool helps users evaluate the reliability of visual content found online by providing important contextual information, such as when an image was first indexed by Google, its original appearance, and other online occurrences. Google is also expanding its Content Safety API to include potential child sexual abuse material in video content, addressing a critical safety concern as video files account for nearly 50% of all files reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). More here
14. Spam view in Drive: Google’s ongoing efforts to protect Gmail users from unwanted messages, which currently block over 99.9% of spam, phishing, and malware, are now being extended to Google Drive with “Spam View”, a new feature that simplifies the process of separating and reviewing files, allowing users to identify potential spam and stay safe from unwanted or abusive content. Google Drive will automatically classify content into the Spam View, similar to Gmail’s current system, ensuring that users are protected from encountering dangerous or unwanted files. More here
15. New additions to the Pixel family: Google’s Pixel product line continues to expand with the introduction of three new devices: the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. The Pixel 7a is Google’s latest A-series phone, featuring Face Unlock, 8GB RAM, a 90 Hz display, and wireless charging for the first time, making it an affordable package with the best of Google’s hardware and software. The Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable phone, boasting a 7.6-inch screen when opened, offering a large, immersive display, and the best camera on a foldable phone, ensuring high-quality photography. Additionally, the 11-inch Pixel Tablet is designed for entertainment and gaming, comes with a Charging Speaker Dock, and functions as a helpful smart home device. More here