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Here Are The Two Things You Must Know From This Year's Google I/O Conference

Lots of cool stuff, but these two features stand out from the rest.

Cover image via CBC

Tech giant Google just wrapped up its annual I/O conference at Mountain View, California

Image via Telegraph

The Google I/O is an annual conference showcasing some of the company's upcoming technological advancement in mobile, web and enterprise applications. The 'I/O' stands for input and output.

Like the years before, the company has unveiled a number of goodies, but these two announcements are the biggest takeaway from the conference:

Image via Tech One 3

Introducing Android N, the latest next version of Google’s mobile OS, which is currently at its last stages of development

Image via Wired

Android N is Google's next phone and tablet operating system update that's been so thoroughly refined, the company is officially more than halfway through the English alphabet.

Google has announced that there will be over 250 features on the OS, including Android VR and multi-screen support

Image via Tech Crunch

The Play Store, StreetView, Photos, YouTube and Play Movies will all support VR, allowing you to jump into games, locations and videos - all via Google's Daydream VR platform. Daydream is due to be released later this year, so it's unlikely to be included in the initial Android N launch. Like other VR devices, VR glasses and goggles are needed.

True multitasking support is finally arriving on Android. Samsung and LG phones have incorporated the feature into their skins, but Google is finally including the functionality into the OS.

Image via BBC

Android N allows several apps to share the screen at once. For example, a user could split the screen, viewing a web page on the left side while composing an email on the right side. The user experience depends on the device.

And for the first time, you get to have a say in naming the OS! Google is really unsure which desert Android N is going to be named after.

This one has our vote. Who doesn't love Nutella?!

Image via Gammerson

You can submit your idea here, and Google will then pick the best one.

In a bid to rival Facebook's Messaging app, Google is coming out with its own communication tool - Allo

Image via The Verge

Allo (pronounced aloe, not allo) will run on both Android Phones and the Apple iPhone and many have said this is one of the smartest communication tools to date.

Just how smart is Allo?

Image via Droid Life

Allo will automatically analyze what you’re saying and suggest quick replies so you don’t have to type out a full response on your own. It will even analyze photos that arrive from friends and suggest replies based on what it “sees” in these images.

wired.com

Allo will also feature Google assistant, a conversational interface for users to ask questions from Google

Image via Phandroid

For example, you can set up a conversation with Google and ask it all sorts of questions. It'll respond with the stuff you've come to expect from typing into a Google search bar.

Allo will be available for download later this year for iOS and Android, of course.

Aside from Android N and Allo, Google has also announced a home assistant, Android Wear 2.0 amongst others

The Google Home

Image via Google

Home is a wireless speaker with a built-in voice-powered assistant. Call it your personal butler, the Google Home answers your questions, plays your music, and controls some of your home automation gadgets.

Image via Android Central

The update gives the UI a comprehensive Material Design-themed overhaul, enables compatible watches to do more without a phone attached, introduces some new input methods to make communication easier.

What was your biggest takeaway from this year's I/O Conference? Let us know in the comments below!

Missed out on this year's Apple's Developers Conference? We got you!

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