June 2020 Summaries

Enhanced analytics and logging capabilities for Smart Home Actions have been released to aid developers in monitoring and responding to errors or quality issues effectively. This update includes a Request Latency Dashboard accessible via the Actions Console or Cloud Monitoring, offering pre-populated metrics charts that provide insights into execution types, device traits, daily user engagement, request counts, response latency, and success rates. Cloud Logging now features enhanced error logs that help identify issues with intents, device commands, and fulfillment processes, with options for exporting logs through Cloud Pub/Sub for deeper analysis. Developers are encouraged to provide feedback through the issue tracker, engage with the Google Assistant development community, and stay updated via the @ActionsOnGoogle Twitter account.

The "Hey Google" Smart Home Virtual Summit, scheduled for July 8th, 2020, aims to engage the smart home developer community by showcasing new tools and features designed to enhance the development experience with Google Assistant. The event will feature a keynote by Michele Turner, Product Management Director of the Smart Home Ecosystem, who will discuss recent product initiatives and introduce tools to simplify development. Additionally, a partner panel will provide insights from industry leaders on navigating the impacts of COVID-19 and the current state of the smart home industry. The summit offers free registration and will accommodate various global time zones to ensure broad participation.

The ARCore Depth API has been integrated into ARCore 1.18, allowing developers to create more realistic augmented reality (AR) experiences on compatible Android devices without requiring specialized hardware. This API, which utilizes depth-from-motion algorithms to generate depth maps with a single RGB camera, enhances AR realism by enabling capabilities such as occlusion, where digital objects can appear behind real-world objects. Developers and companies like Illumix and Snap Inc. are exploring various use cases, including gaming and interactive Snapchat Lenses, to leverage depth for more immersive and interactive experiences. Google's Creative Lab's Lines of Play and TeamViewer's Pilot app demonstrate practical applications of depth in creating domino art and providing precise remote support, respectively. The API is expected to support upcoming AR experiences such as SKATRIX and SPLASHAAR, which will incorporate surface interactions and environmental traversal. While the API doesn't require dedicated depth sensors, their presence can further improve AR experiences, as highlighted by Samsung's plans to integrate these capabilities into their Quick Measure app.

Google for Startups has launched an online accelerator program specifically for early-stage tech startups in Southeast Asia and Pakistan, aiming to address the unique challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic through innovative solutions. This three-month program seeks startups focused on areas such as healthcare, education, finance, logistics, AI, machine learning, and technology for inclusivity. Previously known as the Google Launchpad Accelerator, this initiative provides selected startups with mentorship from Google experts and industry leaders to tackle technical and business challenges. Participants also benefit from workshops on product design, customer acquisition, and leadership development. Applications for this accelerator are open until July 19, 2020, and the program emphasizes that the success of startups contributes to the broader economic recovery and future growth of the region.

In a blog post by Priyanka Vergadia, a Developer Advocate at Google Cloud, a series titled "#13DaysOfGCP" was introduced to showcase 13 common reference architectures for Google Cloud. This series was designed to aid developers in navigating their cloud journey by providing insights into various use cases such as hybrid cloud setups, mobile app backends, microservices, serverless architectures, and continuous integration and continuous delivery (CICD) pipelines. Each day focused on a specific architecture, covering topics from data loss prevention in chatbots to building data lakes and implementing zero trust security models. The initiative aimed to offer practical examples and guidance on leveraging Google Cloud's capabilities, encouraging readers to share their thoughts and engage with the content.

Google Pay has introduced a new integration option for web developers by launching the Google Pay Button for React, designed to simplify the incorporation of Google Pay into React-based websites. This component is available as an open-source project on GitHub and can be installed via npm, offering real-time code completion and validation when used with TypeScript. The button can be easily integrated by importing it and configuring necessary values, such as the Merchant ID from the Google Pay Business Console. Additionally, a similar Google Pay Button is available for Angular developers, adhering to Angular conventions, and a Custom Element version is provided for other frameworks or projects without frameworks. These components offer a convenience layer over the existing Google Pay JavaScript library, which remains unchanged and available for direct use. The initiative aims to enhance the developer experience and invites feedback through GitHub or social media channels.

Google has expanded the support of its Local Home SDK to include Google Nest WiFi routers with the latest firmware update, M81, enabling a local fulfillment path for smart home Actions that promises lower latency and higher reliability. The update supports Node.js runtime, allowing local execution applications to run on a self-healing mesh wireless network, providing users with enhanced home automation coverage. The updated Actions Console facilitates the addition of Node.js on-device testing URLs, and Chrome DevTools' built-in Node.js support streamlines the development and debugging process. Enhanced developer guides and tools are available to assist in utilizing the various local fulfillment runtimes and features, with resources like the "Enable local fulfillment for smart home Actions" codelab, API reference, and samples providing further guidance. Feedback is encouraged through the issue tracker, and developers can connect with the community via Reddit and Twitter, where updates and discussions are actively shared.

Google has introduced two new tools, Actions Builder and Actions SDK, to simplify and enhance the development of custom voice apps for Google Assistant. Actions Builder is a web-based IDE that provides a graphical interface for visualizing conversational flows, managing Natural Language Understanding (NLU) training data, and debugging. The Actions SDK allows developers to work locally with a file-based representation of their projects, supporting code-based management and integration with source control tools. Both tools are designed to create a cohesive development experience, enabling developers to switch between them as needed. The new interaction model features intents and scenes to efficiently design conversational contexts, while a smarter and faster runtime engine improves user experience. Companies like Pretzel Labs and Galinha Pintadinha have successfully tested these new tools, reporting streamlined workflows and enhanced user interactions. Developer resources, including documentation and codelabs, are available to help new users get started with these tools.

At VOICE Global 2020, Google announced several enhancements to the Google Assistant platform, emphasizing its role in improving user experience and facilitating developers' work in creating voice-based applications. Google Assistant now aids over 500 million users monthly in various languages and countries, with innovations like Duplex technology updating business information on Search and Maps, and partnerships bringing educational content into homes. New tools like the Actions Builder and updated Actions SDK simplify the development of conversational actions by integrating processes into a single platform, allowing for local development and improved conversation quality. Additionally, Google introduced features like Home Storage for communal user data, updated Media APIs for enhanced media playback, and Continuous Match Mode for smoother user interactions. The introduction of AMP-compliant content for smart displays aims to merge web content with voice experiences, empowering developers to create more engaging and efficient applications.

Google Cloud announced a global, 24-hour virtual event as part of their Google Cloud Talks by DevRel Series, starting on June 22, 2020, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. This event aims to engage cloud developers, admins, operators, and analysts worldwide through interactive sessions, panels, demos, and Q&As with Google Cloud Developer Relations and community experts. The event is structured into three regional segments and offers live-streamed content on various topics, including Dialogflow, Cloud AI, serverless computing, and Cloud Run. This initiative seeks to provide a platform for learning, sharing new ideas, and connecting with developers across the globe, addressing the absence of in-person gatherings.

Android 11 Beta was released through videos and web pages rather than a virtual event to focus on racial justice discussions, introducing updates centered on People, Controls, and Privacy. The release emphasizes people-centric communication with features like conversation notifications and Bubbles API, while Device and Media Controls streamline smart device management, and enhanced privacy features offer users more control over app permissions. Developers are supported with wireless ADB debugging, faster builds, and productivity tools in Android Studio, alongside Kotlin and Jetpack advancements, such as Kotlin coroutines becoming the official recommendation for concurrent programming. The introduction of Jetpack Compose Developer Preview 2 aims to streamline UI development with features like interoperability with Views and new material components, although it's not yet ready for production. The Google Play Console has been redesigned to improve user experience and offer better insights for developers, with feedback encouraged to refine the platform further. Additionally, a series of online community meetups and the "11 Weeks of Android" initiative are set to provide ongoing developer support and updates.