Google has revealed the schedule for its Google I/O conference later this month, and it looks like the internet giant is preparing to take the lid off the next version of its mobile operating system, Android M. There are a few other announcements set to be made at the 2.5 hour long keynote, and this includes something about a new wearable from Google’s Advanced Technologies And Projects group.
Android M is set to be the next version of the Android OS, despite the fact that Android 5.0 Lollipop is barely managed to roll out to everyone. It looks like Google is not waiting for manufacturers to keep up and is getting on without them. The Android M name continues a tradition started with Android L (which became Lollipop) and appears to indicate the developer preview of the OS will carry the Android [insert letter here] name from now on.
There isn’t much news on what Android M will bring, but it looks like there will be something about accessing apps purely through voice commands. This is a separate session from the Android M announcement, but it looks to be at least related to the new OS. Most voice commands now are rather basic and confined to the core functions of the smartphone. If Google is able to expand voice commands to all app in the Google Play store, it would get a massive jump on the competition. Complete control over a smartphone without having to touch it is something we have only dreamed about.
ATAP is also apparently prepared to “literally” blow people’s socks off with their newest wearable. There is no hint about what this might be, but the group has been responsible for advanced projects like the 3D sensing tablet in Project Tango and the modular Project Ara smartphone. It could be that Google is preparing to announce its own smartwatch; or the teaser could perhaps mean Android powered socks.
Google I/O will also feature other sessions that talk about Google’s less fancy projects, including Google for Work, games on Chromecast, and something about real-time mapping of the Earth. The event kicks off on 28 May.
[Source: Ars Technica, Google I/O]
