Google I/O 2018 is finally wrapping up after a week packed full of goodies for developers and consumers. The conference is typically where Google announces new hardware and software as well as revealing what it has been working on with new projects. Here are the best announcements to come out of Google I/O 2018.If reading isn't your thing, you can check out the below video that condenses all the action into a 10-minute roundup.https://youtu.be/NeF0zpT4gNE
Android P
By far one of the biggest highlights at Google I/O 2018 was predictably Android P that saw Google elaborate on what it sees as the vision for the next version of the software. First up is gestures that appear to play a big part of Android P. While not enabled by default in the current build, Android P provides the option to reduce the navigation buttons from three to two. The button that takes the place of the home button has multiple functions allowing you to swipe up and down to navigate between currently open apps as well as a drawer that suggests apps you might use that Google is calling App Actions.The newly designed launcher is built to take advantage of a gesture system that is akin to what was first seen in WebOS. The multi-function button also acts as a spring-loaded quick toggle allowing you to switch apps quickly and perform other functions by sliding it to the right.Don't Miss: How to get Android Oreo AOSP version on the Galaxy S9Google has also created a new feature called Dashboard that provides an insight into how you're using your phone. Google seems to think the average user spends too much time on their smartphone so the company has built in an information screen that will show a new app timer system as well as a new Shush feature for easily turning on "Do Not Disturb". The idea behind Dashboard is being able to see how much time you spend on an individual app and limit the use of it based on the time spent. There's also a wind-down mode that will turn your phone to black and white at night.Alongside the tweaks Google has done in Android P, there was also a heavy focus on AI and machine learning within the new software. First up is what Google is calling Adaptive Battery and is a collaboration between the Android team and Google’s DeepMind team.“Adaptive Battery uses on-device machine learning to figure out which apps you’ll use in the next few hours and which you won’t use until later, if at all today,” Google’s Dave Burke explained at the firm’s I/O 2018 event.The result of this machine learning, according to Google, is that the CPU sees a 30% reduction in wake up calls and this significantly improves battery life.Part of the AI solution for the Adaptive approach is the implementation of Adaptive Brightness. Google identified that the current auto-brightness setting is a one-size-fits-all solution and doesn't take into account individual preferences to screen brightness leaving users manually adjusting the brightness to their own liking. Adaptive Brightness removes this need by learning your preference over time. It accounts for your environment and activities and learns from the adjustments you make to provide the optimal levels at various times throughout the day.App Standby Buckets is yet another way Google is using AI to improve battery life. The feature classifies apps based on how often you use them and limit access to system resources to those apps you don't use often.Typically the Android P beta software is restricted to Google devices such as the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, but for the first time the company has opened up access to other devices. The list of supported phones is as follows: Google Pixel/XL, Google Pixel 2/XL, OnePlus 6, Essential PH-1, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S, Sony Xperia XZ2, Nokia 7 Plus, Oppo R15 Pro, and Vivo X21/UD. This could mean we may see the final version of Android P hit these devices quicker with OEMs often dragging their heels with updates and could be thanks to Project Treble.