Google I/O 2013 - 900 million, 40 billion, 750 million

Last year, Google Glass was interruptedly introduced by Google co-founder Sergey Brin.

Google I/O 2012 was mostly about Google Glass and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

At the end of the conference last year, it was concluded that Google Glass will be available in Explorer edition (for early adopters) by early 2013 for USD 1,500 (for US only).

The world survived 22 Dec 2012 and now we are at Google I/O 2013 and Google Glass has finally been made available for exploration-only to selected applications.

I must say that it looks like a marvel innovation, it feels like a great tool for journalists to cover news events.

As for the rest of it, we will have to wait and see. If it is going to be priced around RM 2,500 or below, I would buy it as early-adopters. When it is going to be available for Malaysia ? Don’t know yet.

The keynote of Google I/O 2013 which happened early this morning (16 May 2013 12am) was broadcasted live from Moscone center, San Francisco through youtube channel. In fact, anybody can watch any keynotes and sessions conducted live throughout this 3 days event.

Basically, Google I/O is an annually event for Google developers with preference on open source development.

This year, it focuses on two major platforms; 1.) Android and 2.) Chrome.

As the matter of fact, the whole event will evangelize on all other available development platforms by Google which also include Google+, Google Cloud platform, Google Maps, Youtube and Google Wallet.

Bear in mind that all these platforms come available with development SDK and APIs and one can always leverage on them to make business and enhance the livelihood of others – possibilities are endless literally.



Just want to highlight a few key facts.
  • 900 million Android activation (devices) worldwide 2013 (had been deployed).
  • 40 billion apps (from Google play) had been downloaded and installed.
  • 750 million active users for Chrome.

This suggests that Android market penetration in terms of world population is about 10% approximately - as the matter of fact, unofficial estimation of Internet users worldwide is approximately 1 billion – meaning to say that Android market penetration has reached market saturation point for whomever that can afford Internet lifestyle.

90% of population still not using Android as indicated by green highlighted area

In retrospect, Sundar Pichai, SVP, Android, Chrome & Apps felt that this is just the tip of the iceberg as Google really aspires to reach out to these 90% of population on planet Earth.

Developers’ Delight

There are a few announcements which I am particularly fond of personally, these include:
  • New updates for Google play services API which includes Google Maps Android API v2, Google Cloud Messaging API, Gaming services API
  • New updates for Android Studio which is based on IntelliJ IDEA which is now capable of live rendering of your layout design.
  • New updates for Google Play developer console that help developers get more users, make more money on Android.

The best of Google products – Google+, Search and Map

Updates were also presented on new features which include:

Google+ has new features such as photo auto enhancement which is made possible by employing cloud processing technology. Google can pick the best picture of yours, enhance it and make it awesome.

Search is even better and smarter with more emphasis on A.I. It will be very soon that using Google search, one would be able to perform all sort of business analytics function such as deriving and comparing statistical information based on public domain information.

Now, this is going to be live changing. Just imagine that you would be able to search for things like ‘tell me how many distributors out there in Subang Jaya who focus on supplying iphone accessories’.

More importantly, with the converse feature, now one can talk to search by ‘Ok google’ to start the conversation and request for search result.

To achieve that, one would have to make use of either Chrome browser or Chrome OS.

As for Google Maps, it gets better and better. The recent real-life experience of Google Maps in the Malaysian election scene was amazing, check it out here.

With availability of Map maker, North Korea is now part of Google Maps ecosystem.

Google shared that part of the success of Google Maps is its ability to constantly refine mapping spatial data based on 4 key sources, namely 1.) local data; 2.) imagery; 3.) street view and 4.) based maps.

Also, in terms of future of Google Maps, 3 things were highlighted.
  1. Personalized map
  2. Immersive imagery – one would be able to click onto a building and then zoom into the interior of the building.
  3. Using Map as the UI for social application

More excitingly, Google Maps and SDK are now officially available for iOS again as an app downloadable from AppStore.

Relative location of the Sun and Earth using Google Earth

Finally, the best part of Google Earth/Maps is its support of helicopter view from over the orbit that shows the relative position of Earth in the planetary system.

Malaysia - Google Labs and Chrome book

The keynote also brought Malaysia into limelight abruptly.

It was announced that initiatives are in progress to make available to students across 10,000 schools in Malaysia, the Chrome book and Google Labs - the web is your school, go and learn.

Google felt that they could contribute to Malaysia's public good through the education industry


Larry Page

At the end of the keynote, Google co-founder Larry Page took the center stage to offer his thoughts and insights into Google’s direction.

Larry Page, who had recently announced his health status, thought that Google is still only scratching the surface the many things which were announced.

What developers should take it from here is really that Google platforms present immensely great opportunities for your business and career.

More updates.

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