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Google I/O 2013 So Far

Google’s annual conference, Google I/O, is charging full steam ahead in San Francisco.

Hot topics in the schedule: the future of Android, Google Glass, and Chrome, among others.

In his opening keynote at the MosconeCenter, Larry Page, Google co-founder and CEO, didn’t announce new hardware or Android versions – to the surprise of many.

Instead, the focus was largely divided between the tools that will enable developers to build better apps and improvements to core web services such as Search, Maps and Google+.

There wasn’t a complete absence of new products. Google did reveal its Play Music All Access, a competitor to the likes of Rdio and Spotify, and a number of other consumer-facing tidbits.

However, the takeaway from the conference so far is that Google is focused on building upon existing products, rather than capturing headlines with fancy new offerings.

What’s New in Android Land

Consumer experience has been much less of a focus at the 2013 conference that during previous outings. Instead, Google is honing in on better enabling developers.

Techies will soon have the ability to offer beta tests of their apps, viewing them across numerous screen sizes. The announcement was enthusiastically met by attendees.

Has your business been crying out for tablet-optimized apps within Google Play Store? Ask and ye shall receive; it’s on its way, stat.

In fact, apps and the tools developers need to build them appear to be a priority for Google, rather than an afterthought. This is likely to spell rapid growth for the platform.

The Elephant[s] in the Google Room

Products that are yet to gain a market toehold, or have actively flopped, were sidestepped during the keynote.

Both Glass and Google TV were noticeable in their absence, while the ongoing Android fragmentation pickle was, for all intents and purposes, a figment of developers’ imaginations.

GoMobile Solutions’ Take on the Google I/O Conference

GoMobile Solutions’ Chief Technical Officer, Jeremy Shapiro, was excited to learn about Google’s plans to support future app development.

“Google continues to support the developer community,” he said.

“Their latest announcements about beta testing and the ability to preview apps on the vast assortment of screen sizes that are in the market today is excellent news for app developers.”