Five key takes from the Google IO conference 2015
Internet giant Google today unveiled its latest products, software and projects to an audience of developers at its annual I/O developer conference in San Francisco.
Here are five key takes:
Google challenges Apple Pay
Google unveiled Android Pay which will let users pay in stores as well as online using their mobile phones.
Android Pay will use NFC meaning that transactions will be able to be accepted by over 700,000 retailers.
Additionally, it'll offer finger print verification for any devices that are fitted with this technology.
"With Android Pay, you can simply unlock your phone like you normally do, place it near a merchant’s contactless terminal, and you’re good to go," it said.
"You don’t even need to open an app—just tap and go. You’ll also see a payment confirmation and get transaction details right on your phone."
However, Google Wallet will still be available for user-to-user payments through its app and Gmail.
And it'll be working with GoPro
Google announced it will be partnering with camera maker GoPro to create a multi-camera array able to shoot virtual reality video, with a little help from Google's new virtual reality system Google Jump.
The unnamed array will feature 16 Hero4 cameras strung together in the shape of a cylinder giving it the ability to shoot 360-degree HD video.
Game of Thrones to be available on Google Play
Apple's exclusivity of the HBO Now is officially over.
HBO’s video-streaming service, which offers a range of shows such as Game of Thrones, will be available with Cast support for Android, iOS, and web browsers, although it specify when.
"You can watch your favorite episodes, be it Game of Thrones, the upcoming season of True Detective or maybe even your favorite episode of Silicon Valley," Sundar Pichai, senior vice president of products, said.
Operating system for the internet of things
Google unveiled Brillo saying it will be the "underlying operating system for the internet of things".
The so-called "internet of things" is generally thought to be the next stage in the evolution of the internet, connecting a range of gadgets such as your mobile phone, your thermostat, your car and even your fridge.
Google Brillo will offer a means of linking these webs of devices to existing Google technologies such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
It unveiled a new app Google photos
Google photos is a new app designed to make the storage and management of pictures and videos easier.
It offers unlimited storage, backs up items automatically, uses cloud technology to enable easy access from a range of devices as well as automatically organises the library by people and places.
"Google Photos gives you a single, private place to keep a lifetime of memories, and access them from any device," it said.
"They’re automatically backed up and synced, so you can have peace of mind that your photos are safe, available across all your devices."