June 2016 Summaries

In June 2016, Google announced the retirement of its Google Feed API, originally launched in 2007 as one of its inaugural AJAX APIs. The decision to discontinue was driven by declining interest and usage over time, coupled with the fact that the API was operating on outdated infrastructure. Initially slated for deprecation in April 2015, Google extended its operation until September 29, 2016, allowing developers time to transition away from the service. The announcement emphasized Google's commitment to transparency and the importance of developer trust, suggesting that while the Feed API would be shut down, viable commercial alternatives for RSS feeds are available for developers who rely on them.

SwiftShader is a high-performance graphics rendering software library designed to work on CPUs and is now fully open source, broadening its potential applications. Initially created by Google, SwiftShader has been utilized since 2009 in Chrome to facilitate 3D rendering on devices lacking adequate graphics hardware or with unreliable drivers. By implementing the OpenGL ES graphics API, it ensures consistent 3D content availability, allowing for the execution of WebGL content on systems that would otherwise be unable to render it. The open-sourcing of SwiftShader allows other browser vendors to universally support 3D content and advance the web platform, enabling developers to create engaging applications such as games, educational tools, and virtual tours. It also enables cloud-based rendering on systems without GPUs. SwiftShader employs techniques like dynamic code generation, the Reactor C++ embedded language, vector operations, and multi-threading to optimize CPU performance, supporting real-time rendering for applications like Android app streaming. Developers can access the source code and collaborate through the open-source community to enhance SwiftShader's capabilities.

Daydream Labs has been exploring innovative methods to simplify the process of creating immersive 3D animations in virtual reality (VR), making it more accessible and playful. Traditional 3D animation typically involves complex software or expensive motion capture setups, but Daydream Labs developed experiments allowing users to animate by manipulating virtual toys, reducing the need for technical knowledge. This approach makes animation intuitive, as users can interact with virtual objects much like they would with real toys, eliminating steep learning curves and fostering creativity in a safe, playful environment. Additionally, they experimented with allowing users to independently animate character joints, likening the experience to puppetry, which conveys expressive and emotional charm. While not intended to replace professional tools, these VR animation systems democratize storytelling, enabling anyone to create and share stories in virtual spaces.

Google has released a new Google Cast SDK for Android and iOS, designed to enhance the development process by making it quicker, more reliable, and easier to maintain. Announced at Google I/O, the SDK introduces full state management for better abstraction between apps and Google Cast, aligning with the Google Cast design checklist to provide a comprehensive user experience. The release includes an introductory video, full documentation, sample apps, and codelab tutorials, with initial developer feedback indicating significant time savings over previous SDKs. Future updates will offer a customizable Expanded Controller and enhancements to the Mini Controller, further streamlining development. Developers are encouraged to visit the Cast developer site for more information and to join the Google+ community to engage with other developers.

Project Bloks is an innovative initiative by Google, in collaboration with Stanford University and IDEO, aiming to revolutionize how children learn coding by integrating tangible programming experiences. This open hardware platform is designed to foster computational thinking in kids by combining hands-on learning with coding principles, leveraging a system composed of the "Brain Board," "Base Boards," and customizable "Pucks." These components allow children to engage with physical coding by assembling Pucks to create instructions that are transmitted to connected devices via WiFi or Bluetooth. Inspired by educational pioneers like Froebel, Montessori, and Piaget, Project Bloks seeks to make coding more accessible and engaging by removing the barriers of software and hardware development, thus empowering developers and educators to innovate in educational experiences. The platform's flexibility is showcased through the Coding Kit, a reference device that allows children to learn programming basics by manipulating code bricks to control various devices. Project Bloks invites educators, developers, and researchers to participate in shaping the future of computer science education through remote research studies, all while drawing on a rich history of tangible learning and programming.

In June 2016, TensorFlow v0.9 was released with enhanced support for mobile devices, including the addition of iOS and Raspberry Pi support alongside Android, marking a significant step towards making mobile a key component of the open-source platform. The release introduced new compilation options, particularly for iOS, which involved creating a set of scripts and a makefile to facilitate the cross-compilation process, enabling developers to build TensorFlow without relying on Bazel. This update also included mobile samples that allow for image classification using the ImageNet Inception v1 classifier, encouraging developers to contribute and share their projects on social media with the hashtag #tensorflow.

Firebase Authentication, introduced in 2016, simplifies the process of implementing authentication systems in apps by offering a straightforward setup and integration with popular login methods like Facebook, Google, Twitter, and email/password, all while being backed by Google's robust infrastructure. This service allows developers to focus on building app features rather than dealing with the complexities of authentication, as it includes pre-built UI components, password management, and security protocols such as OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect. Firebase Authentication's open-source library ensures the flexibility to customize the user interface, and its seamless integration capabilities have been successfully utilized by apps like Fabulous and Chu-Day, leading to significant reductions in development time and enhanced user experiences.

Google, in collaboration with Udacity, launched the Android Basics Nanodegree in June 2016, aimed at making Android app development accessible to everyone, regardless of their programming background. This program guides learners through creating simple Android apps using Android Studio and Java, covering essential skills such as designing user interfaces, implementing user interactions, and integrating data from the internet. The course is designed for self-paced learning and features projects like building a coffee shop order form and apps for educational and social awareness purposes. Graduates can build a portfolio of apps and have the opportunity to advance to the Career-track Android Nanodegree, with the first 50 completers eligible for a scholarship. While the individual courses are free, Udacity offers additional paid services such as coaching, project guidance, and career counseling, enabling learners to become proficient in app development and potentially evolve into technology entrepreneurs.

The Google Sheets API v4, introduced at Google I/O 2016, offers enhanced features that allow developers to programmatically interact with Google Sheets, enabling data transfer between SQL databases and spreadsheets. The updated API includes functionalities accessible through both desktop and mobile interfaces, allowing developers to write and extract data efficiently. A DevByte video demonstrates the process, showcasing a simple script to transfer database rows into a Google Sheet and vice versa. For those starting, quickstart guides in Python and other languages are available, as well as a deeper dive through a Python blog post. Developers can also tackle challenges like constructing JSON payloads for API calls, with sample operations provided to assist. Additionally, a JavaScript codelab offers a practical example by guiding developers through building a Node.js app for managing toy company orders using this API. These resources aim to empower developers to create innovative applications and tools using the new capabilities of the Google Sheets API.

Alex Danilo, a Googler involved in developing HTML5 specifications, emphasizes the critical importance of industry standards, citing historical failures like the Mars Climate Orbiter mission, which resulted from inconsistencies in measurement standards. He highlights the role of the Web Platform Working Group in enhancing HTML language to improve client-side application development through APIs and markup vocabularies. Danilo introduces HTML 5.1 as a refinement of HTML 5 and showcases tools like the validator tool and the "test the web forward" initiative, which aid developers in ensuring markup compliance and addressing browser compatibility issues. Information about Google's efforts in web development can be found on the Web Fundamentals site.

Nearby, launched by Google on Android, is a platform that enables users to discover and interact with their surroundings through proximity-based experiences. This service builds upon the Nearby APIs introduced earlier, facilitating communication between nearby devices and beacons. It allows developers to link their apps or websites with beacons to create innovative user experiences, such as audio tours at museums, enhancing in-flight entertainment, or simplifying tasks like photo ordering at CVS. Partners like The Broad Museum, United Airlines, and the University of Notre Dame are already leveraging this technology for unique applications. Setting up involves acquiring Eddystone Beacons, configuring them to point to desired experiences, and providing users with app or web-based interactions. Nearby is included in a Google Play Services release and is compatible with Android devices running version 4.4 and above.

The Google Developers Agency Program, announced in December 2015, aims to collaborate with software development agencies globally to enhance mobile app quality by offering personalized training, priority support, and early access to new developer products. Launched in several countries, the program certifies agencies that have completed the necessary training and demonstrated excellence in developing Android applications. This certification helps clients make informed hiring decisions and encourages improvements within the development agency ecosystem. The program plans to expand further and continue adding certified agencies over the year.

Daydream Labs, a Google VR initiative, explores virtual reality (VR) concepts by pairing engineers with designers to prototype and share insights with the VR community, especially focusing on social interactions in VR. Their experiments suggest that simplified avatars, such as floating heads with googly eyes, can effectively convey emotions and enhance face-to-face communication, creating a shared presence when combined with hand gestures and spatially-located voices. The team has also found that VR can connect users even when one person is in a virtual space and the other is not, fostering engaging multiplayer activities by allowing the real world to fade away. They emphasize the importance of shared goals for breaking the ice in VR experiences and note that familiar users quickly notice stature differences, which can be adjusted to promote prosocial interactions. These insights were further discussed in their "Lessons Learned from VR Prototyping" talk at Google I/O.

Google Forms, a versatile tool for creating polls and quizzes, can be scaled to handle large volumes by using Google Apps Script to automate the process. In a developer video series, Wesley Chun demonstrates how a simple JavaScript function can be used to programmatically create Google Forms, showcasing the creation of various form elements such as text fields, multiple-choice questions, and checkboxes. Viewers are encouraged to enhance the provided code to pull data from external sources like Google Sheets or databases to generate multiple forms. The video also highlights additional integrations using other Google services such as Sheets, Docs, Calendar, and Gmail, and introduces the potential of Apps Script to power add-ons for Google Forms. The series is designed for novice developers and aims to inspire the creation of efficient tools while easing the manual workload involved in form creation.

In June 2016, Firebase introduced an innovative Alternate Reality Game (ARG) called Firebass during Google I/O, created in partnership with the digital creative agency Instrument. The game, centered around a time-traveling digital fish named Firebass, aimed to entertain while educating players about the new version of Firebase. Through a series of cleverly designed puzzles that utilized various coding and data storage techniques, participants could engage with nostalgic elements of the early web. The puzzles were crafted to be challenging yet approachable, using Firebase's capabilities like remote data storage and time-based read permissions. Players who successfully completed the game could win a ticket to Google I/O 2017, and the game's popularity led to a significant increase in server traffic, demonstrating its success and the enthusiastic community response.

Firebase Remote Config, introduced in 2016, allows app developers to dynamically update their apps' appearance and content from the cloud without needing to release a new version. This tool helps developers quickly respond to user feedback, run experiments like A/B tests, and deliver personalized content to different user segments based on Firebase Analytics data. By enabling features such as gradual rollouts and targeted configurations, developers can test new features on a subset of their audience and refine their apps based on user interactions. An example of its efficacy is seen with the app Fabulous, which used Remote Config to enhance its onboarding process, leading to significant improvements in user retention. The tool supports both iOS and Android platforms, offering flexibility by allowing developers to manage configuration values remotely while keeping network operations efficient. Firebase Remote Config is part of the broader Firebase platform and is accessible for free, with comprehensive documentation available for developers to explore its capabilities.

In June 2016, Google Creative Lab introduced AnyPixel.js, an innovative open-source software and hardware library designed to facilitate the creation of large, interactive displays using web technologies. Instead of opting for traditional screens, the project utilized a unique setup of six thousand light-up arcade buttons as interactive pixels that can be controlled through a web interface. This initiative not only served as a dynamic installation for Google's New York City office lobby but also empowered developers and makers to craft custom displays using their own applications, regardless of scale or expertise. The project encourages creativity and experimentation by allowing users to modify the code and schematics to suit their needs, thus making interactive displays accessible and versatile.