At 1 a.m. Beijing time on May 12, Google's annual I / O developer conference held an opening speech. Although the conference is to help developers make the most of Google's tools and platforms, the keynote speech is related to a wider range of ordinary users, involving software and hardware announcements to be released in the next 12 months.
In terms of hardware, Google may launch the first wearable watch pixel watch, the mid-range model pixel 6a, and a new wireless headset. In terms of software, it mainly includes Android 13 system and heavy updates for wear OS and Android TV.
● the first wearable watch pixel Watch
Rumors have been circulating about Google making its own smart watches, but 2022 may eventually be the year it really happens. The name of the pixel watch has been disclosed by specification disclosure, design disclosure and documents from the U.S. patent and Trademark Office. Most importantly, however, an obvious prototype of smart watch was found, resulting in a large number of photos being posted online.
In all the leaked information, we began to have a fairly good understanding of the appearance of the pixel watch. The biggest question now is whether all of Google's investments (including billions of dollars spent on Fitbit) can create a value for Apple The dominance of products poses a real challenge.
Citing technology media 9to5google, pixel watch will have models that support cellular network connection and built-in 300mAh capacity battery. Recently, three models of "gwt9r", "gbz4s" and "gqf4c" have passed the Bluetooth SIG certification, but it is not confirmed that these three models will be different.
It was previously revealed that the watch strap equipped with pixel watch adopts soft silica gel, which has good elasticity and does not seem to show fingerprint / oil stain too seriously. The strap is 20mm, while the apple watch strap is at least 22mm. From the appearance, it is almost the same as the strap of Fitbit charge 5 (it also shares the sensor layout with Fitbit charge 5), but it has a metal ring instead of a plastic ring, and there is no embossed Fitbit logo.
● middle end mobile phone pixel 6A
In the past three years, Google has launched cheaper versions with lower specifications after each of its flagship pixel smartphones. This year, it's the pixel 6, but there are rumors that the pixel 6A may be different from the previous A-Series phones.
Although mobile phones such as pixel 4A and 5A have similar functions to the flagship camera, the processor is not so powerful. It is reported that pixel 6A may reverse this practice. A report from 9to5 Google last year showed that the new phone may use the same tensor processor as the pixel 6, but use the degraded 12 megapixel main camera sensor instead of the 50 megapixel sensor of the pixel 6.
In addition, pixel 6A does not support motion mode of Google camera On pixel 6 and pixel 6 Pro, Google introduced a new camera mode called motion mode. In this mode, the user will capture multiple photos after pressing the shutter button, and add motion blur effect to the background through machine learning.
● Pro wireless headset with active noise reduction
The rumor is uncertain, but recent news from Jon proser shows that Google is preparing to release a new set of real wireless earplugs called pixel pads pro. At present, little is known about their potential functions and specifications, but the word "pro" is usually used in the name of a set of earplugs to indicate that they support active noise reduction.
At present, Google only sells two true wireless earplugs, namely pixel buses a series, which was originally announced as a more affordable corresponding product of the second-generation pixel buses. However, with the shutdown of pixel buses, Google only sells the cheap products in this series. Adding a professional brand of products will be a natural change.
● Android 13
In terms of software, Android 13 is the next major version of Google's mobile operating system. Technically, it has released a beta version, which gives us a lot of details. However, at the I / O conference, we will have a comprehensive understanding of Android 13.
So far, Android 13 seems to continue Google's massive work from Android 12. Last year's customizable theme (called material you) looks likely to expand to cover more UI elements in the operating system, and Google is continuing to limit what aspects of the operating system Android applications can access by default. Any news about major new initiatives may appear in Google's keynote speech.
● Android 12L
Android 13 is not the only major update Google has made to its mobile operating system this year. There is also a new version of the operating system Android 12L optimized for tablets and foldable devices. It will be released sometime this year and will be installed on Samsung, Lenovo and Microsoft devices. The developer conference is a good time for Google to provide more details.
In addition to the system, there have long been rumors that Google is also developing one or two foldable devices. There have been rumors that these products will be launched last year, but considering that there has been no news leakage recently, these products do not seem to be released immediately. Although Samsung is currently developing the third generation of foldable mobile phones, foldable mobile phones are still very small products outside China.
● new nest hub
Given that Google has only released its latest nest hub smart display for a year, it seems premature to expect subsequent products. But a March report from 9to5 Google said that we may see a product with a removable screen that can be used as a tablet sometime this year. This shape factor sounds ideal as a smart home controller, which also explains Google's renewed focus on tablets.
● other platform updates
In addition to the Android platform, the wear OS for smart watches may also be updated with the new pixel watch. Even if the conference does not launch the pixel watch, there will be new actions one year after Google announces the merger with Samsung's tizen platform.
There are also Android TV and Google TV updates. Google's product manager predicted in January this year that supporting home fitness exercise is obviously of interest to the company, while providing more smart home control and video conferencing services.
● expect a lot of Google software and service updates
In addition to hardware and platform specific announcements, many applications and services will also be upgraded. For example, last year we saw the locked folder function of Google photos, the update of augmented reality view of Google maps, and the new "smart canvas" plan of its office software, which aims to make its various services more interconnected.
Given the huge breadth of Google software products, it is difficult to make specific predictions about which of these products will receive attention on the stage this year. But Google workspace is expected to occupy an important position. "Smart canvas" has brought some flexible new functions to Google documents, and I guess this is just the beginning of Google's plan to comprehensively reform its telecommuting software.