September 2015 Summaries

The Google Apps Script Execution API, announced by Edward Jones and Wesley Chun, enables developers to execute Google Apps Script code from any client, such as browsers, servers, and mobile devices, by providing the necessary authorization. This API enhances the utility of Google Apps by allowing scripts to modify data across Docs, Sheets, Forms, and other supported services, thereby transforming how applications interact with Google Apps. An example of its application is by launch partner Pear Deck, which uses the API to create interactive presentations that generate personalized Google Docs for students. Bruce McPherson, a Google Developer Expert, highlights the API's potential for facilitating 'incremental transition' from Microsoft Office workflows, enabling a gradual migration of processes managed by VBA to the cloud-based Apps Script environment. The API is live, and developers are encouraged to explore its capabilities by accessing the available documentation and quickstart guides.

Vulkan is an open standard API designed for efficient access to graphics and compute on modern GPUs, offering an alternative to the historically used Open GL ES for mobile apps. In an episode of "Coffee with a Googler," Laurence Moroney discusses with Shannon Woods, a Technical Program Manager at Google, the advantages of Vulkan, including its ability to closely align with GPU architecture for improved efficiency, precise command control, and code parallelization. Android will support both APIs, allowing developers to select the most suitable for their needs. The conversation also touches on the famous Utah Teapot, a standard reference in 3D modeling, and its appearances in popular culture. Developers are encouraged to explore Vulkan for its optimization benefits and to watch the episode for guidance on leveraging it in app development.

The first-ever Polymer Summit took place in Amsterdam, bringing together 800 developers to explore the themes of Develop, Design, and Deploy, offering comprehensive guidance on building web applications from start to finish. Since the launch of Polymer 1.0 in May, the community has grown significantly, creating over 150,000 public-facing pages using Polymer. The summit showcased the evolution of Polymer from an experimental project to a robust set of tools, product lines, and community contributions, with sessions covering topics like using ES6 with Polymer, testing web components, adaptive UI design with Material Design, and performance optimization. Recordings of these sessions are available on the Polymer YouTube channel, and enthusiasts are encouraged to stay updated through the Polymer blog and Twitter.

Google Calendar API offers a seamless way for app developers to automate the process of adding calendar events directly from booking apps, enhancing user experience by eliminating the need for manual entry. The API allows developers to programmatically insert events into users' calendars using a simple Python script, as demonstrated by Wesley Chun, a Google Apps Developer Advocate. This functionality extends beyond just creating events, as developers can update, delete, or set recurrence rules for events, and even attach files like PDFs of concert tickets. The API is accessible to non-Google Calendar users for certain actions like RSVPing, broadening its usability. Developers can explore comprehensive code samples in various programming languages through the Google Calendar API documentation, which is part of the Launchpad Online series aimed at supporting novice Google developers. Feedback is encouraged to shape future content in the series.

In a 2015 episode of "Coffee with a Googler," Laurence Moroney discusses the benefits of App Indexing with Jennifer Lin from the App Indexing team, highlighting how it enhances mobile app visibility in Google Search. App Indexing allows mobile users to be directed from search results directly into the app if it's installed or through an install process if it isn't, thereby increasing app installs and user engagement. Jennifer Lin shares success stories, such as the Daily Mail's 22% boost in search impressions and Tabelog's 63% increase in search impressions, illustrating the effectiveness of deep linking. The episode includes demonstrations of the user experience for both installed and non-installed app scenarios, and further resources for App Indexing are available on the Google Developers site.

The Polymer Summit 2015 is set to begin on September 15th in Amsterdam, with live streaming available for those unable to attend in person. The event will feature a range of speakers and sessions, all of which can be accessed via the official Polymer Project website, with a livestream reminder option available for interested participants. Additionally, all talks will be published on the Chrome Developers YouTube Channel for later viewing. Attendees, whether in person or online, are encouraged to engage in social media discussions using the hashtag #PolymerSummit.

For 100 days, Google Developers released daily videos aimed at educating developers on a wide variety of topics, including the launch of Android Marshmallow, getting started with beacons, and utilizing Polymer and Geo tools. The initiative, led by Reto Meier, Team Lead for Scalable Developer Advocacy, was designed to equip developers with the knowledge needed to enhance their apps using Google tools. Participants were encouraged to share their favorite videos using the hashtag #GoogleDev100, and a highlight reel was released to capture the series' most memorable moments, reflecting the enjoyment and learning shared by both the creators and viewers.

Google Voice Actions, a feature that allows users to perform tasks in Android apps through voice commands, is highlighted in an episode of "Coffee With a Googler." Hosted by Laurence Moroney with guest Sunil Vemuri, a product manager at Google, the discussion reveals improvements in speech detection algorithms, reducing error rates from 23 percent in 2013 to 8 percent by 2015. The episode explains how developers can implement System Actions, enabling voice commands to be routed from Google Search to specific apps, and Custom Actions, which allow developers to define specific voice triggers for their applications. Additionally, developers can create Voice Interactions to engage users with follow-up questions, enhancing the functionality and user experience of voice-controlled apps. Further resources and guidance on developing with Google Voice Actions are available on the Google Developers site.

Starting from September 3, 2015, Google has organized its developer-oriented video content into specific YouTube channels: Android Developers, Chrome Developers, and Google Developers, to better cater to the diverse interests of their audience. This change allows subscribers to receive notifications only for content relevant to their interests, such as Android-specific content on the Android Developers Channel and web-focused content on the Chrome Developers Channel. The Google Developers Channel will continue offering broader content, covering various Google developer topics like Google Play services releases and the "Coffee With A Googler" series. This initiative aims to streamline access to information, helping viewers easily find and engage with content that inspires and informs them, while ensuring they do not miss new videos by subscribing and enabling notifications.

Developing applications for Google Cast involves creating a multi-screen experience that captivates users by being both enjoyable and user-friendly. Extensive user testing was conducted to refine the Google Cast user experience, which is detailed in a video explaining the core design principles. Key aspects include the strategic placement of the Cast icon to ensure users are familiar with casting capabilities, and the design of the connection process between the application and the Google Cast device. Volume control for audio when connected to a Google Cast device is also emphasized. Developers are encouraged to adhere to the UX guidelines provided, which are complemented by comprehensive documentation and a checklist. Engaging with the Cast Developers Google+ community can offer additional resources and insights.