nsane.forums Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Search firm rounds off IFA 2010 with prediction of ubiquitous mobile computing Google made a number of key announcements to round off IFA 2010 in Berlin, including an addition to its Translation app that allows two people who do not speak the same language to have a conversation by sharing an Android handset. Hugo Barra, product management director at Google, was on hand to preview the experimental feature that could be seen as a breakthrough in translation. A conversation between two people was demonstrated on stage with one speaking in English and the other German. The Google app translated parts of the conversation in turn so that the pair could communicate. The demonstration required a couple of phrases to be repeated, but was largely successful and could be a valuable tool for business travellers. The possibility of Google translating mobile phone conversations live over the air was also hinted at by chief executive Eric Schmidt in a Q&A session. "Live translate is the next logical succession, and may be possible in the future," he said. The conversation translator is currently in the experimental phase and an exact roll out is yet to be determined. Google also showcased improvements to its voice search app, and Barra was keen to note that the app is being optimised so that it can understand language in context. Barra asked the software to "navigate to a museum with Egyptian stuff", and the device was able to find out that the Pergamon Museum was the location required. It was able to successfully carry out the search because the device knew it was in Berlin, and related this to thousands of pages on the web about the museum. However, a reporter was adamant that this particular museum is not known to house Egyptian artefacts. Google TV was another product demoed at IFA. Brittany Bohnet, product marketing manager at Google, stated that people in the near future will "never want to buy a TV without an internet browser". The software for Google TV is currently being tested, and three devices are to be launched in conjunction with Sony and Logitech later this year in the US. A European launch has not been mentioned. The Android platform will be integrated with Google TV, and people will be able to use smartphones and voice commands to change channels and get Android apps on their TVs. A seamless transition from watching TV to browsing the internet on a Sony Bravia screen was demonstrated, and Google TV also allows YouTube content to be bumped up into HD format. Google TV will not be passive viewing, but will encourage users to participate, according to Schmidt. The firm clearly believes that the mobile platform is crucial to the future. Schmidt said that mobile search traffic grew 50 per cent in first half of 2010, and that search traffic from Android phones tripled in the same period. Google also said that its Chrome operating system, while targeting the notebook space, could also be used for tablets, and that the firm will announce details of partnerships later this year. "In the future you won't forget anything because computers will be on hand to remember everything," Schmidt said, adding that people will never be lost and " a car should drive itself". With statements like that, it would not be surprising to see a Google Car on the horizon. View: Original Article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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