Google I/O 2017 is Almost Here

Google's annual developer conference, dubbed Google I/O, is all set to begin tomorrow 1:00 PM EDT, and as is the norm you can expect a wave of new announcements coming up your way. From a fresh developer preview of Android O to updates to Google Assistant to standalone VR headsets to latest on its messaging strategy to further bridging the gap between Android and Chrome OS (selected Chromebooks already support Android apps in beta mode, but the official rollout has been delayed), a jam-packed event it is with lots to unpack in a few days time.

Are you ready for Google I/O 2017?

But here's what I want -

• Integrate Google Goggles Into Camera - Samsung's Bixby Vision is proof that it's indeed possible to provide relevant contextual information by just integrating AI and computer vision smarts into camera. Google already has something strikingly similar in Goggles, an app that was last updated three years ago (May 28, 2014), and Translate. All it needs to do is bring it to built-in camera and Google Assistant.

• Material Design on the Web - While Android is more or less "materialised" by now, a ton of popular web properties, including Gmail, YouTube (in beta), Translate, Calendar, News, Groups and Finance, are yet to receive a fresh coat of paint.

• Built-in Ad Blocker for Chrome - Google hasn't confirmed this development and perhaps rightly so, for it's fraught with issues. Even if it were to allow only "acceptable" ads, the question remains as to who gets to decide them.

• Clarity on Web Apps - Google currently has four different approaches to web apps - Instant Apps (announced at last year's Google I/O), Progressive Web Apps, Chrome web apps and Accelerated Mobile Pages. Where should developers and website owners spend their time and efforts?

• Google Chrome on Windows Store - Microsoft recently announced Windows 10 S, its take on Chrome OS, and like the latter, it only supports apps that can be downloaded from Windows Store. With Apple iTunes, Spotify and WhatsApp all set to arrive on the platform as desktop apps, will Google follow suit?

• YouTube TV client for Android TV - Android TV as we all know is Google's smart TV platform (announced at Google I/O 2014), but it also unveiled YouTube TV earlier this year to stream live TV content on Android and iOS for US$ 35 a month. Surprisingly missing is a client for Android TV.

• Clear Vision on its Messaging Strategy - Let's admit it. Google has way too many messaging apps. But if its recent efforts are any indication, the search giant appears to be following a three pronged approach - Allo and Duo for casual messaging/calling, Hangouts Chat and Meet for businesses, and improved SMS (aka RCS) to attract cellphone carriers. Let's hope Google sticks to it for the foreseeable future!

• Universal Clipboard - Hate to say it, but it's perplexing that Android still doesn't support cross device copy-paste a la Apple or Microsoft (included in its upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update).

• Seize Control of Android Updates - Android's fragmentation has been quite a lingering headache for Google, but Project Treble, a newly announced initiative to separate the core of Android OS from vendor specific hardware related code, is a step in the right direction. This would mean software (and security) updates can be pushed independently of any involvement from chip vendors.

• User Privacy Improvements Through Federated Learning - As systems become more and more intelligent (by collecting more and more data about you), there inevitably raises concerns of user privacy. Apple is attempting to solve this problem by a technique of on-device training called Differential Privacy, and now Google is doing the same with Federated Learning. Thus instead of collecting all user data in one place in its servers, the training happens on the device itself in a privacy preserving manner.