May 11 debuted with one of the most awaited conferences of the year, Google I/O 2022 for developers. Unlike previous years, this time the team overdelivered – while we were expecting to see Android 13 front and center and maybe get some info on the Pixel 6A, the company did one better. Google touched upon every product and software we could have hoped for. Here are the most interesting announcements from the event.
Google Wallet and Virtual Cards
Just like Apple Wallet, Google is looking to make your digital IDs transferable on your phone. This means you’ll be able to save your driver’s license and more to the digital wallet on WearOS and Android devices pretty soon.
Another piece of good news – you won’t fret about unsafe payments on Chrome any longer. Google is bringing virtual cards to Chrome which means at the moment of payment, the software will generate a virtual credit card number on the fly, keeping it hidden from retailers in the same time.
Google Search: More Complex Results
Google Search was already making strides to keep your personal data private, and now it’s taking an extra step towards giving you complex search results.
Google’s CEO announced the mega engine will be capable of solving a query by combining a photo with a text question. Moreover, it would let you input “near me” into that search.
Google Search will also be able to handle searches starting from a panned photo, a feature it calls “scene exploration.”
Pixel Buds Pro
Pixel Buds Pro isn’t just a rehash of Google’s previous buds, as they come with a new feature – and a major one – active noise canceling. Google’s proprietary tech for better isolation and better transparency is in and spatial audio is coming soon.
Just like Apple’s gadgets, these one will be trackable via Android’s Find My Device. Best of all? They won’t be that expensive. Pixel Buds Pro should retail for $199 with preorders starting July 21.
Pixel 7 Series
Given that the next flagship series from Google is launching this fall, we didn’t dare to hope that the company would disclose anything at this point, especially at a software event.
But they did.
Pixel 7 Series is a definite thing, with a recycled aluminum camera bar and a glass back. Until it reaches the market, though, we’ll have to contend with the Pixel 6A, a $449 budget phone from Google that you can test starting July 21.
Other than that, Google talked about Android 13 in depth, its intention to update 20 of its apps to fit larger screens (since a Pixel tablet is in the works!), AR glasses and… ads.
The Google app will show off a new My Ad Center where you can finally take control over the ads you’re served instead of letting advertisers control your life. In a nutshell, this feature will let you manage what ads you’d like to see as well as what personal info Google Search can share with others.
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