Google I/O ’17 roundup: Assistant for iPhone, Google Home expansion, Photos, new Gmail for iOS features & more

Google is kicking off its annual Google I/O developer conference today with the event’s opening keynote presentation and during had several announcements for not just Android but also iOS and Mac users.

Among the announcements so far today, Google Assistant is expanding to more languages, in addition to coming to iOS with a standalone iPhone app.

Google Home is coming to new countries and languages and also getting a bunch of new features ahead of an expected unveiling for Apple’s Siri Speaker competitor. The Gmail mobile apps are getting a new “Smart Reply” feature with quick reply suggestion buttons not unlike the Inbox app. Google Photos is getting new features including machine learning intelligence. And Google is releasing a new VR app for developers today called ‘Daydream Elements’.

The company also announced some updated numbers for its services today, including confirming it now has 2 billion Android active devices, 800 million+ Drive users, and 500 million+ Photos users.

Head below for the roundup of news from our coverage over at 9to5Google (and check back for more as the event and the rest of Google I/O ’17 continues):

• Google working on standalone VR headsets w/ HTC & Lenovo, features ‘WorldSense’ tracking
  

• Google Photos adds suggested sharing, shared libraries, photo books

• Gmail mobile apps get Inbox/Allo-style ‘Smart Reply’ feature with quick reply suggestions

• Google Home adding hands-free calling, proactive assistance, Bluetooth streaming

• ‘Daydream Elements’ goes live on the Play Store in lead up to I/O keynote
  

• Numbers from I/O 2017: 2 billion Android devices, 800 million+ Drive users, 500 million+ Photos users, etc

• Google Assistant adds more new languages as Home goes up for sale in new countries

• Google Lens adds visual AI intelligence and actions to Android, Assistant, more

• Keyboard input is finally here for Google Assistant

• ‘Daydream Elements’ goes live on the Play Store in lead up to I/O keynote

• Android O enters Beta Program with Developer Preview 2

• Google launches Google.ai site, announces powerful new Google Cloud TPUs

• Google announces Android Go optimized for entry-level hardware

• LG announces Google Home/Assistant support for its connected appliances

• Google bringing new UI to Android TV, 360-degree videos, Assistant integration coming later this year

• Google is adding automatic obstruction removal to the Pixel’s camera