Google I/O 2022: full review

If you missed Google I/O 2022 or just want the full review, this review is for you.

For the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Google has personally hosted its annual I/O developer conference at the famous Shoreline Amphitheatre. Thus, this is a joint event that allowed the American giant to reveal many details about advances in artificial intelligence and others. Google has also taken the time to highlight some new products. If you weren’t able to follow the conference live, here are the main announcements from this Google I/O 2022.

Pixel 6a

Google certainly teased its next flagship during this conference, but Mountain View’s new Pixel 6a has clearly made a splash. Available for pre-order starting July 21, the $449 smartphone features its own Tensor AI chip and a 12-megapixel camera, all with the latest version of Google’s Magic Eraser editing tool. The company is also promising five years of security updates for the Pixel 6a.

Pixel 7

Google only briefly unveiled its next flagship, but we’ve finally got our hands on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. According to the company, the two devices will feature a new-generation Tensor chip and offer a redesigned design made from recycled aluminum. Their price and availability are not indicated anywhere. We should know everything this fall.

PixelWatch

After months of various leaks, Google has finally confirmed the release of the Pixel Watch. The connected watch will arrive this fall and offer a virtually bezel-less screen with a “touch crown.” It runs Wear OS 3 and seamlessly integrates with Fitbit’s health and fitness tracking software. The Pixel Watch will be available alongside the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Google promises to provide more details in the coming months.

Google also said that companies such as Samsung, Fossil and Montblanc will also launch new Wear OS devices later this year.

Pixel Buds Pro

While we’ll certainly have to wait a bit before we can enjoy the Pixel 7 and Pixel Watch, the new $199 Pixel Buds Pro true wireless earbuds are coming sooner. July 28th to be precise, and pre-orders will open on July 21st. Interesting features include multipoint connectivity, IPX4 certification, and active noise cancellation. Spatial audio will also be present when connected to a compatible Pixle smartphone.

Android 13

With the introduction of the Material You design, personalization has become an important aspect of Android 12. The next version of Google’s mobile OS continues to move in this direction with new special features to further personalize your device. For example, it will be possible to define a different default language for your applications. Another feature allows icons to better match their color palette on the home screen.

Android 13 will also introduce a new Wallet app with the ability to store identity documents (depending on the country). Security is also very important to Google, Android 13 will automatically wipe your clipboard history.

And after years of neglect, Google is finally bringing features to tablets. Android 13 in particular will support multitasking on larger screens with an updated taskbar and split view. In addition, Mountain View explains that it will update many of its own apps to take full advantage of these tablet features.

Apart from this emphasis on software, Google is also working on the design of the new tablet. We got a very brief glimpse of the Pixel Tablet, which is expected to be released sometime in 2023. And, as is the case with many of the devices Google showed off today, details were sparse. We just know that it should be very similar to the Nest Hub. And it will use homemade Tensor chips.

If you want to test Android, beta 2 is available for download.

New augmented reality glasses.

While we thought the keynote was over, Google still had a few announcements under its hat. Mountain View is working on a new pair of augmented reality glasses that should “break down communication barriers.”The prototype shown by Google will translate spoken language, offering real-time subtitles to the owner. Google hasn’t revealed the name of this prototype or an availability date.

Rest

It wouldn’t be I/O if Google didn’t keep its audience informed about its latest advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning. This year 2022 is no exception. The Mountain View firm had a lot to say about this, but above all, we can expect improvements in translation (which was recently added to 24 additional languages) and a new “AI Test Kitchen”app that offers a demo of the LaMDA 2 learning model.

The company also announced updates for Workspace, YouTube, and Lens. Perhaps one of the most interesting is Immersive View in Maps for exploring popular tourist destinations.