Google I/O: What Caught My Eye
Google I/O was yesterday, and I just couldn’t get excited about it. I’m not sure if my technolust is fading, or if we’ve reached the point where we’re just not making the strides we used to. I remember a few years ago I’d be glued to the live blog of any Apple or Google announcement. Tweeting away, driving my followers nuts. Now….meh. That being said, there were a few things that caught my eye, for better or for worse.
Hangouts and Talk Integration: FINALLY. Seriously Google, why did you think it’d be a good idea to have two chat platforms that didn’t talk? With this merge we also got an iOS app. Again, finally. Seriously feels like we should’ve had this from when Google + launched.
Google+ Layout: Pretty and clean. Predictive hashtags as well. I like it. Now to continue ignoring my G+ account until next Google I/O.
+1 To Photo Editing: Google has made it easier to do real photo editing on the web, and will sort through your photos and find the most appealing one based on algorithm. It’s convenient and efficient, but makes me a bit nostalgic for film and darkrooms. Not that I’d know what to with either anymore. Or that I really knew what to do with them when I had them.
Google Play Music All Access: Just rolls off the tongue doesn’t it? Another streaming music service. I’ve been using music subscriptions since my Zune in 2007 so I’m not swept off my feet by this. If you sign up by 6/30/13 you get it for only $7.99 a month instead of $9.99. But to me cloud based music that is device exclusive seems pointless. Plus moving my library/playlists is going to be a PINTA. The only thing that would get me to do so at this point is if Xbox Music comes to iOS. And even then it’s iffy.
Google Play Store Services: Catching up to game center. I hope Android continues to build itself as a gaming platform. There’s lots of Humble Bundle games for the platform, and I hope they can use this feature as well.
Unlocked S4: Got excited, and then sad face, not for Verizon.
- Google Now: It’s in Chrome now. You know how I love Google Now, so I am really excited about this. Simplify my life Google!
Was there anything from Google I/O that stood out to you? Any feature you’re particularly looking forward to?