Top innovative moves by Google in 2015
Google has always been innovative when it comes to technology. 2015 saw a couple of big changes for the software giant. We will analyse a few of them here in this article.
Google had presented the blueprint it had during the Google I/O 2015. It was the year full of huge changes, upgrades and new services. Most of the promises and plans have, in fact, materialised. Here we go with a discussion on the best of the moves from the Mountain View tech giant.The M Factor
By M we definitely do not mean Money. We tasted the latest update from Google - the Android Marshmallow. Marshmallow meant enhanced security for the Android ecosystem. There were a few great tools for the developers as well.
Apart from the material design and performance improvements ushered in by Lollipop upgrade, the Marshmallow update brought additional features. The Doze feature is one of the best that helped Android users gain better battery life. Individual app permissions now rest with the actual users than the developers.
Incidentally, this is the eighth anniversary for the omnipresent mobile platform. Originating in the year 2007, Android has come a long way in establishing itself as the largest operating system.New Projects
Google launched a couple of ambitious projects this year. Project Loon was a revolutionary idea. Project Fi is another planned carrier option brought forward by Google.
Project Loon envisages the concept of "Balloon Powered Internet". What exactly it means is that the users will be able to access internet by means of a network of balloons. A network of balloons traveling in space will be so designed that people can connect with each other in remote parts of the world. It will considerably lessen the costs associated with the traditional methods of providing internet connectivity. Balloons will travel around 20 km above the surface of earth. An algorithm will guide the direction based on the direction of the wind. Balloons are arranged to become one large communication network.
Project Fi is meant to be an affordable unlimited voice and messaging option. A small upfront fee is needed to paid (currently $20 a month) for the unlimited service. T-Mobile and Sprint have joined in the bandwagon as of now. The project will need you to have a special SIM along with a software on your phone. The software will automatically switch to open WiFi points in your area.Google Cardboard
Though not a new concept for those in 2015, yet there were some remarkable achievements in the field. Google announced "Works with cardboard" program.
Google Cardboard project had received low interest in 2014, but rose in popularity in the year gone by. Companies like One Plus developed a cardboard viewer. The cardboards can be used for achieving immersive education. 2015 saw Google Cardboard now being supported in over 100 countries and in around 39 languages.Learning the "Alphabet"
Google went through a major organisational reshuffle in 2015. It re-branded itself as "Alphabet". To use Larry Page's words " What is Alphabet? Alphabet is mostly a collection of companies, the largest of which is Google".
It means from being known as a huge company with hundreds of projects, Google will now be seen part of a larger conglomerate. This will help Google concentrate on individual projects in an easier way.Android Pay
In a move towards a contact less transactions, Google has come up with a newer version of its erstwhile Google Wallet.
The platform is supposed to support all major card issuers like Visa and Master card. The service is, indeed almost equivalent to the competing services like Samsung Pay and Apple Pay.New devices
The tech giant came with a few new devices this year. The new Nexus 5X and 6P are believed to be the better versions of the predecessors. Though, the new offerings do not differ much - yet they came with improved connectivity options and hardware.
The Android One platform, however, seems to have stagnated. The ambitious project from Google looking for affordable smartphones with high end features does not seem to be clicking enough. Partnerships with new manufacturers has clearly been an indication of the tough competition. Concluding Feelings
Well, that was what I could gather as the best moves by Google in the year gone by. Google still has a long way to go. Let us see what new ideas and projects it comes up with in the new year. Google's association with the Digital India campaign may prove much beneficial for India. With an Indian at the helm of affairs, let us cherish the achievements and cheer them.
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