Google I/O 2016: Search giant reveals latest products, including Google Home, Android N and virtual reality technologies – as it happened
Google is going to unveil its plan to take over your house and your phone – and then your reality
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Google has held its biggest event of the year, showing off everything that it's going to release through 2016. The general public and developers will get their first glimpse at the products and technology that's going to rule our lives – via our phone, home, car, computer and everything else.
Some of what will be announced has already leaked, and others have been spoiled by Google themselves in advance of the event. Those include rumours about a new device for the home and new technology for your phone, as well as Google's update to Android Pay that now allows it to be used in the UK.
But the main event is still set to be packed with surprises, including the first details of Google's own virtual reality headset and new phone technology. We'll be following along with all the developments live.
Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load.
And we're go! A strange music thing is happening where people appear to be playing strings that are stretched across the auditorium. There's keyboards and other musical instruments on the stage too...
This is very chill indeed. (Not sure what it says about the products.)
Sundar Pichai is on stage and we are go! We're hearing a lot of puff initially – lots of people watching, lots of places watching.
First clues about what might be coming. People expect to use their phone and see "groceries arrive at their front door" – we'll probably be getting something to help with that later.
Interesting little fact: 1 in 5 Google searches in the US are now coming via voice searches.
There's a demo video, and Google Home looks very smart indeed. People are changing their dinner reservations, changing their lighting, checking on packages that are being delivered.
A child just asked where the nearest star system was, and Google told him; then he asked to "show it on the TV", and it came on screen.
It's impressive stuff, if it works as it claims: Google Home looks a lot smarter than Amazon's Echo, which was already amazingly smart.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments