Google I/O is the big Google development conference of the year and a chance for Google to show off what they have been working on, are planning on releasing, and for developers to get a learn and collaborate on new and exciting ways to use this technology. As you might expect, some of these announcements will impact you as a consumer and quite possibly your church or ministry. Today we’re going to look at some of those most important announcements that may well affect you, consider how you might leverage them to your advantage and then look at the possible concerns you should have over this technology.
Android M
Android M is the new version of Google’s operating system and it is going to bring some new fancy features including:
- New app permissions (more like iOS)
- Support for fingerprint scanners
- Web experience (in app browsers having chrome like features including remembering your passwords, and other power features)
- New app links (no longer will you have to select which app every time)
- Even better power management (your device will last longer)
- A new app draw (with alphabetical scrolling)
- Auto backup and app restores (to help you change between devices more easily)
- USB type C (reversable, quicker to charge USB)
- Google Now On Tap (more below)
- Android Pay (more below)
These aren’t a huge design changes as we saw in Android L, but it will provide an easier and smoother user experience from Android L. Of course, some of these features will be device dependent (fingerprint scanning) or country specific (Android Pay) and will require your device to get an update to the latest version of Android.
Google Now on Tap
Google Now On Tap was a big feature of Google IO and it’s easy to see why. There are some concerns about it that we’ll look at the end of the article but for the moment let’s look at the interesting aspect.
[Video via YouTube]
Google Now has been a smart personal voice assistant for a while. It can read your Gmail account and find useful information such as plane tickets or add calendar events to your diary. Well Google has expanded it’s artificial intelligence and this is what they are introducing in Android M. This will allow Google Now On Tap to be at your beck and call in any application. So if you are messaging in Whatsapp and someone asks you to buy some milk, Google Now On Tap will be able to read that message and ask you if you want to add a reminder to do that. Or if you are messaging about a restaurant, you’ll be able to bring up Google Now and ask it to search for that restaurant (not even mentioning the specific name) and it will find it on the web.
It is unclear if Google Now On Tap is constantly reading the content on your phone or only when you activate it by long pressing the home button (I’d guess the latter due to the amount of battery and data drain it would take to be constantly on but that is an educated guess) and there should be concerns, but this is incredibly powerful.
Family Friendly Apps
One of the really great moves we’re seeing from Google is the drive to become more “family friendly.” Admittedly what Google considers to be “family friendly” may not match your own but they have made a big step forward with more granular family settings for app appropriateness in the app store.
You’ll be able to see the age suitability (of course you can choose a lower than Googles thinks is right if you wish) and interests. Whether this will work as Google hopes or if there will be some issues like YouTube for Kids experienced we’ll have to wait and see but more information is always a good thing for making good decisions.
Google Photos
Google Photos is Google’s latest attempt at solving the photo management problem. Previously Google’s photo solution resided in Google+ but Google has decided to split it out into its own service, but still with connections to your other Google services.
The key feature of Google+ that will grab attention is that it has unlimited storage for photos up to 16 mega pixels and videos up to 1080p! Previously Google had offered free storage for images of 8mp, but 16mp is a great step up with the advances in modern smartphones, not to mention free video storage as well. This should be suitable photo storage for all but professional photographers and even then I suspect some will use it for a backup solution, I know I will! [You can also upload photos as original quality, but this will count against your Google data allowance.]
The app uses artificial intelligence to sort your images into correct categories, create “stories” and will make editing suggestions to convert a burst into a GIF or similar. You can scroll through slowly and also rapidly with a side bar to go through your history. Not to mention the intelligent searching tool which provides information based on location, objects as well as types.
It’s a very polished app and looks a great option for the average consumer, on Android, iOS or other service.
Android Pay
Android Pay is Google’s attempt to take on Apple Pay and finally get Google wallet to be adopted. It relies on the same sort of technology as Apple pay. Using NFC your device can be connected to your credit card and used to pay at a terminal. This payment uses a one time unique authentication code which should add stronger security than using your card at a point (your details can’t be used again at a separate pay point). It also works within applications as well.
The really interesting implication for giving at churches. There is potential for churches to start taking tithes or other forms of giving via mobile devices for both Android and Apple users (as they rely on the same technology). Of course, we are still waiting to see exactly how far this technology will go or if it will be limited only to the US, but this is something to keep in mind for your church.
Google’s Internet of Things
The other technology Google displayed which has clear church implications is its new “internet of things” operating system called “Brillo” along with “Weave”, the language to communicate between devices. This could be an important step to help devices communicate better together and hopefully open up more smart locks, lighting, and other devices. There’s some really interesting automation possibilities here but also just basic ideas such as not requiring the dance over finding out who has the church keys or receiving notifications when someone enters the church at an unexpected time. This will require development of devices but it’s another step forward.
Cardboard Exhibition
Google Cardboard is the budget virtual reality option that Google has been promoting since last year. One of the steps forward Google has put out this year is Exhibition. A set of devices and cardboard including one for a teacher to lead people on an exhibition of a real or virtual environment. Imagine taking your youth group on a tour of a holy land site or even entering a virtual recreation of a bible story on a small device.
Jump
Jump compliments Cardboard as it is a set of protocols to create a virtual reality compatible stream. These guidelines will help people to create a stream or recording they can place on youtube which people can then watch, perhaps of a church service or outreach event.
Developing for Developing Nations
One of the things that inspires me the most about Google is their push towards Developing nations. Sure, this is partially trying to get their foothold in their first and makes good business sense but it is a direction that other tech giants like Apple aren’t pursing. This drive is helping to put valuable and powerful tools into the hands of people who would never otherwise have them.
I think it is worth considering and reflecting about ourselves as the church. Are we striving for the high end or the low end? Are we helping to get the good news into that hands of the worst off or just the best off? Its easy to find great tools which only run on expensive devices but maybe we should work harder to insure they are available to everyone, rich and poor. iOS, Android or no device.
Concerns
Of course, as exciting as some of these ideas are, there are legitimate concerns and issues we should all consider. The most obvious of which is security.
Imagine that Google now on tap is only for when you initiate it and don’t constantly read the data on your phone. Even in that case, when you are having a “private” conversation with someone over a messaging service, if the other person initiates google now on tap, it will read the whole message. That’s true of other services as well, if you shared a photo with someone and they downloaded it, then it could be uploaded to their google photos account. This has been true for a while but with a renewed push for photos, it is possible more people will do this.
The family filters also raise concerns over what Google thinks to be appropriate. Their definitions may be different from your own and so it may not be suitable to leave it completely in their hands.
Finally, with more devices potentially becoming connected, it raises issue of concern over potential problem like a power cut. Imagine the door to your church being completely shut tight because the power went out.
Conclusion?
Most of what was announced at Google I/O addressed individual users and will be more important to consumers and developers than organisations. Even the measures which could impact you as a church will still require development from other organisations to see real fruit.
With all these advances it is worth considering the negatives as well and working out how we can maximise these for our full benefit.
Eric Dye says
So much to think about here. Thank you for breaking this down, Chris. You saved me from needing to scour the web for info and brought any and all church tech related ideas to the table. The idea of mobile giving is REALLY interesting imo.