Key Highlights from Google I/O Event: New Inbox Features and Unlimited Photo Storage

This past week, tech enthusiasts from around the world tuned in to the Google I/O event, marvelling at a host of exciting introductions and updates. Among the array of announcements was Google’s very own mobile payment platform, dubbed Android Pay, shedding light on the latest strides Google is making towards becoming a digital lifestyle powerhouse. However, your digital journey with Google does not stop there. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about the other fantastic Google services announced.

The previously invite-only Inbox app is now accessible to all. Offering a fresh take on email organization, this ingenious app automatically segments your emails into user-friendly groups based on their content, making it simple to sort out your cluttered inbox and prioritize responses.

An essential feature of the app is its ‘Bundle’ option. This groups related email content together, making it readily accessible whenever you need it. This is especially valuable when embarking on a new educational course or project, where you’re likely to receive a flurry of emails from different sources. All emails relevant to your course will be neatly grouped into a ‘Bundle,’ paving the way for more effective email management. So, what’s new about the Inbox?

1. Reminders will now sync seamlessly between Google Keep and Inbox.
2. You can recall emails within 10 seconds of sending them. This feature is especially useful when a mistake creeps into a sent email or when you need to edit an email before sending.
3. You can now have custom signatures that sync across devices but exclude your Gmail account.

Google Hangouts was not left out in the dramatic upgrades spree, with an overhaul of its Chrome app that introduced a brand-new user interface. The revamped interface promises a smoother user experience and we’ll keep you updated as it fully rolls out.

Perhaps one of the most groundbreaking announcements at the event was Google’s promise of unlimited, free photo storage. Users can now back up photos up to 16 MP and 1080p videos on the Google cloud at no cost. This fantastic feature is available to iOS and Android users. While there are additional premium storage plans for those who wish to store their files in their original form, this introduction will undoubtedly revolutionize how we store our memories.

Google Photos promises you “a single, private place to keep a lifetime of memories” while ensuring they’re safe and available across all your devices. Furthermore, Google Photos’ intelligent features organize your precious memories by people, places, and significant events. This offers you a hassle-free browsing experience as you won’t have to manually tag or create albums.

The neat auto-grouping feature helps you find any photo or video with simple search terms, making your favourite beach holiday and birthday party memories only a search away. Google not only ensures the privacy of your grouped photos but also equips its app with excellent photo enhancement tools and the ability to create collages, movies with soundtracks, and more.

Google Photos also introduces an ‘Assistant view,’ offering auto-suggestions for creations based on your photos and videos. This could be collages, animations, or even stories based on your recent trips. Google Assistant gives you the freedom to preview, edit, keep or discard suggested creations; retaining control over your images.

Sharing photos and videos is made simpler and more flexible with Google Photos providing you the freedom to share your memories across various platforms like Hangouts, Twitter, or WhatsApp. In a bid to make sharing more effortless, Google is set to ensure that shared photos and videos do not require downloading and re-uploading across an array of different services, promising a seamless experience.

With these remarkable updates and introductions, Google continues to spotlight its commitment to refine user experiences and persistently innovate. Stay tuned for more updates from the world of Google.

Photo credit: Google