Google I/O 2011

*image courtesy of Google Inc.

The fourth Google I/O conference kicked off yesterday with a number of announcement made during the 1st day keynote. Among others are:

1. The growth of Android
• 100 millions Android activations up to date; sees about 400K device activations per day
• Android is currently being supported by 36 EOMs, 215 Carriers, and 450K Developers across 112 counties.
• There a now more than 200K apps in Android Market today which sees 4.5B apps installations. 
2. Android 3.1
•  Announcement of Android 3.1 Update which is a major update to Honeycomb.
  The update will hit Verizon Xoom starting yesterday.
• Among the features are :
    - customizable widget sizing
    - ability to hosts USB devices including PS3 & XBox 360 wired controllers
    - enhanced task switcher
    - new multitasking engine; helps reduce crashes and more fluidity between apps
• The update also hits Google TV this summer. On top of that Google TV will also get Android Market.
3. Android Ice Cream Sandwich
• Another major annoucement is Android Ice Cream Sandwich, might be Google's most ambitious project for Android. Their motto 'One OS Everywhere' shows that Google intend to power tablets, convertible laptops, phones and such with this OS. This must be the roadmap taken by Google to reduce the fragmentation in Android.
• To sweeten things up, this OS will be open source.
• It is scheduled to be released in Q4 2011.
4. Movie Rental Streaming via Android Market
• Android Market now include Movie rentals streaming to your tablet or smartphone.
• Expect the same experience as downloading e-books.
5. Google Music Beta
• In a simple words, it is iTunes on cloud.
• It runs on all Android devices
• Able to create custom playlist
• Upload and store music onto directory on cloud service
• Able to sync your device with your account wirelessly from web; even with your new device
• Able to play them offline
• It has Instant Mix; this is where the service actually listen to the music you, er, listen and able mix and mash them...
• It is FREE, while in BETA


6. Android Update Guidelines
• Google sets how long (timely) does a device will get each update. Google also sets an at least 18 months of timeline update once a new device is released. Commitments from LG, SE, Motorola, AT&T, Vodafone, Sprint, Samsung, HTC and Verizon Wireless
• Android Open Accessory - an API that allows third-party devices to work with Android based devices. Google demoed an exercise bike which sync with an Android phone, and also a labyrinth game that mirrors the movement of an Android tablet.
7. Android @ Home


Google presented a framework in making Android as the heart of your house
Able to control lights, possibly all other electrical devices at home
Project Tungsten - LightingScience will start selling an Android compatible light bulbs. These lights will response to music or games environment from your Android device.
8.  Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Limited Edition
• Google also showed a limited edition of Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. The device is 8.6mm thick, weights 565gm and has 10.1" size display, 1 GHz Dual-Core, 32GB internal storage, 1GB Ram and runs on Android 3.1
• Google is giving all the 5000 Google I/O 2011 attendees this wonderful device for free.