Article by Andrew Hutchinson for Social Media Today reports on some new products that Google unveiled at an I/O Developer event in May.

Highlights:

Google Lens

Google's answer to the Pinterest lens tool goes beyond. It uses image recognition and integration with Google Assistant and AR to enable users to do things like aim their smartphone camera at the facade of a restaurant and get Google's rating overlaid on the camera view; aim the camera at a concert poster and listen to the band's music; or point it at a WiFi router and connect to the network.

Google Assistant for iPhones

This gives iPhone users immediate access to Google search in message streams.

Smart Reply

This gadget analyzes incoming messages and, in cases where it feels able to craft an "optimal response," does so and enables the user to send that reply with one click. The product is now available for all English-language Gmail users.

Upgrades to Google Photos

• Suggested Sharing: Provides recommendations for sharing images based on who's in the photo and the user's interaction history; also an automated sharing function with which users can share all photos with selected other people.
• Photo Books: These are hardcopy collections of selected images that can be created on an iPhone or on the Web. There are charges for this: US$10 and up.
• Photoshop-like photo editor: Like Snapchat "Magic Eraser" but better

Standalone VR

Google is working on a standalone VR headset that requires no ancillary equipment.

YouTube upgrades

• YouTube 360 content will be viewable on home TV using remote to change perspective.
• Super Chat lets live-stream viewers pay to put their comments in the stream, with revenues shared between Google and video creators. (Some users have had this feature since January 2017; wider rollout is coming.) The new API will also provide opportunities for enhanced interaction between viewers and live video streams.

It's hard to keep up with all Google's new stuff, isn't it?