Google I/O 2017 : Most important announcements

Google IO 2017 has just wrapped up and as expected, it was filled with lots of announcements. If you�re looking for a place to find just the highlights, you�ve come to the right place . last year�s presentation, machine learning, AI and using your voice to get things done took the front seat at IO 2017. 

• Android Go

Android that's less demanding to budget phones in 2018. It's called Android Go and it will allow smartphones with even as little as 512MB to 1GB of RAM to use the latest and greatest in Android software.

Google's Android One initiative, which brings stock Android to developing nations where quality options are scarce, Android Go will bring a similar approach to phones on a seemingly global scale.

The notion that Android O is only for the flashiest smartphones, Google is positioning its latest software to be a very scalable solution for people across a wide range of income levels.

• A smarter Assistant, now in more places

 You could previously do this with Google Translate and other third-party apps, but it will soon be an app-free benefit.

Google will soon enable you to write text to the Assistant for those moments when shouting at it isn�t an option. It's also more media-savvy and rich with capabilities on Google Home , aligning it more with Amazon Echo and even beyond in some cases.

The Assistant is coming to iOS , which is a huge deal. Siri was already in competition, but now that they can co-exist on the same device, Apple had better put all of its eggs in showing up Google�s virtual assistant at WWDC 2017 .

• Google digs into Android O

The elephant in the room. No, we still don�t know what the �O� stands for, but we do know more about what we can expect in the full release of the operating system later this Summer.

Google announced that Android O has leveled up to beta status, which means that it�s now more stable than it used to be and better yet, it�s even easier to download it on your compatible device.

The highlights for what Google showed us today include faster boot times, contextual options that make navigation easier and an awesome new picture-in-picture mode.

• Daydream goes deeper

Comparing Google�s Daydream VR to Samsung Gear VR has been fair. But today, they stand in two different playing fields. working on a reference Daydream headset in collaboration with Qualcomm that doesn�t require a phone to use. 

HTC announced that it has a Vive-branded all-in-one headsetcoming that will support Daydream. Lenovo has a headset coming as well, and Google stated that other manufacturers are expected to follow suit.

Google still has love for those with the Daydream View headset. It announced that LG�s next flagship phone (maybe the LG V30 ) as well as 2017�s hottest smartphone duo, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus , will be Daydream-compatible soon.

• Google Lens

Your camera isn�t just merely a camera anymore. With Google Lens injected into smartphones starting later this year, you�ll be able to take more unforgettable shots thanks to machine learning capabilities. Is your subject obscured by an object in the foreground? Google Lens can wipe it out automagically, as is illustrated in the image above.

Photos will be packed with data that can be parsed through by Lens. Stuff like the address of the restaurant shown in the background will be easily accessible thanks to Google�s new smart camera software technology.