By Juliet Umeh
Search engine platform, Google, yesterday unveiled 15 fresh methods of approaching Google searches in order to have effective results.
The 15 methods make it possible for people who are looking for anything on its platform to find results easily.
The new methods which were unveiled at the 2023 Google I/O developer conference, include: PaLM 2. PaLM 2 helps a searcher to understand, generate and translate text including idioms, poems and riddles.
Also, there was expansion of conversational generative artificial intelligence chatbot, Bard. This means that the waitlist has now been removed. Also, it plans to make Bard available in English in over 180 countries and territories, with the addition of Japanese and Korean languages, and plans to support the world’s top 40 languages.
Other significant announcements include export to Docs and Gmail. It said it’s making it easier and more seamless for users to continue their work by exporting Bard’s responses to Google Docs or Gmail among others.
More of the new methods include-
* Integration into Apps: “Bard will be integrating with various Google apps and services like Docs, Drive, Gmail, Maps, and more, while maintaining user control over privacy settings. The platform will also connect with external services and partners, such as Adobe Firefly for image creation, Kayak for travel, Instacart for groceries, Wolfram for computational knowledge, and Khan Academy for education, offering a wide range of possibilities for users. More here
*Integrating generative AI across all the Workspace apps: “The new features help one write, organise, visualise, accelerate workflows, have richer meetings, and much more. This powerful new way of working is what Google calls Duet AI for Workspace. Google is bringing the generative AI experience to Gmail on mobile and embedding generative AI into Slides so one can easily create unique visuals with a few words. The generative AI will help one analyse and act on data in Sheets, with automated data classification and the creation of custom tables. More here
*Simplifying Shopping with Generative AI: “Google is using generative AI to make shopping faster and much easier, providing users with a snapshot of noteworthy factors to consider when searching for a product. Built on Google’s Shopping Graph, this new generative AI shopping experience will offer a seamless and informed decision-making process for users. More here
*Search Labs: Google’s advanced generative AI capabilities are now accessible through Search Labs, an innovative platform that allows users to explore and engage with early-stage experiments in Search. By registering for Search Labs, users have the opportunity to experience the Search Generative Experience (SGE) on Chrome desktop and the Google App in the US (available in English at launch). More here
*Magic Compose: Magic Compose, a new Message by Google feature powered by generative AI, can help you add an extra spark of personality to your conversations. The feature offers suggested responses based on the context of your messages and can even transform your writing into different styles. Release set for July. More here
*New AI features in Android: Google’s upcoming Android 14 update (expected later this year) promises to change the way users personalise their smartphone experience, taking customization to the next level. Material customization enables users to personalise their lock screen with new shortcuts, clocks, and a monochrome colour theme. The update also offers diverse wallpaper options, including emoji, cinematic, and generative AI wallpapers that allow users to generate unique designs based on their preferences. To enhance social media, Google is bringing Night Mode and 10-bit HDR video support to popular social apps like Instagram. The Android 14 update introduces Ultra HDR, promising stunning photo quality and raising the bar for smartphone photography. More here
*Reimagine Your Photos with Magic Editor in Google Photos: The new experimental editing feature, Magic Editor, powered by generative AI, will enable users to make complex photo edits effortlessly without requiring professional editing skills. Users can selectively edit specific parts of an image, such as the subject, sky, or background, for more control over the final appearance of their photos. More here
*Features and Updates to Enhance Online Safety and Trust: Google’s new suite of features and updates aims to improve online safety and provide users with reliable access to trustworthy content and information.
The “About This Image” tool helps users evaluate the reliability of visual content found online by providing important contextual information, such as when an image was first indexed by Google, its 
original appearance, and other online occurrences. Google is also expanding its Content Safety API to include potential child sexual abuse material in video content, addressing a critical safety concern as video files account for nearly 50 percent of all files reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). More here
Spam view in Drive: Google’s ongoing efforts to protect Gmail users from unwanted messages, which currently block over 99.9 percent of spam, phishing, and malware, are now being extended to Google Drive with “Spam View”, a new feature that simplifies the process of separating and reviewing files, allowing users to identify potential spam and stay safe from unwanted or abusive content. Google Drive will automatically classify content into the Spam View, similar to Gmail’s current system, ensuring that users are protected from encountering dangerous or unwanted files. More here
*New additions to the Pixel family: Google’s Pixel product line continues to expand with the introduction of three new devices: the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. The Pixel 7a is Google’s latest A-series phone, featuring Face Unlock, 8GB RAM, a 90 Hz display, and wireless charging for the first time, making it an affordable package with the best of Google’s hardware and software.
The Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable phone, boasting a 7.6-inch screen when opened, offering a large, immersive display, and the best camera on a foldable phone, ensuring high-quality photography. 
Additionally, the 11-inch Pixel Tablet is designed for entertainment and gaming, comes with a Charging Speaker Dock, and functions as a helpful smart home device.”
Meanwhile, the tech giant emphasised its commitment to improving search experiences and ensuring user safety, by introducing new generative AI capabilities for search and implementing advanced tools for online protection.
It said: “The significant updates were for Android, Pixel devices, and Google Photos.
“This breakthrough model surpasses previous language models in areas such as maths, coding, reasoning, multilingual translation, and natural language generation.”
“In addition to these advancements, Google reiterated its commitment to 
responsible AI, striving to address pressing societal challenges like climate change and flood forecasting while maintaining ethical AI practices.”
