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Google I/O: Day 1

Bycasabona
Note: This article was published while I was in my early 20s. I was much younger and dumber. Please don't hold it against me. One of the perils of having a 20+ year old website!
Google I/O 2008

When I first got to Google I/O I made note of a few things. “It’s like 85% male,” “Wow there are a lot of smart phones,” and “There are a lot more Macs here than I thought there would be.” Of course, once I was all checked in, settled and the keynote started, I was nothing less than blown away by what they had to show us. I can’t really recap everything covered, however I was really struck by the Google Web Toolkit. The GWT allows you to write programs in Java and then convert them to AJAX (Javascript, etc.). To be honest, I didn’t even think that was possible. The app they demonstrated was incredibly powerful, seamless and fairly quick. You’d never think it was a web app. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. Google I/O Day 1 showed me the raw and very real innovation going on at Google.

Aside from GWT they wowed us with a working Android prototype, which you can check out here. What really got me was the compass mode, which gives you a live street view that moves based on what compass direction you’re facing. The android talks I attended gave us a quick intro to and the basics of creating an android app. Those talks helped me get my own environment up and running, which I was able to do in no time flat. While I didn’t look that much into it today, I also gained an appreciation for Google Apps Engine and am going to learn Python so I can develop on it. But it wasn’t all work at Google I/O today.

Aside from the numerous breakout sessions and coding labs, Google offered it’s attendees colorful beanbag chairs, pool tables, a candy bar, and fully stocked cooler. From 6-10pm there was also “Google After Hours,” which was a mixer with a DJ and live band, food, open bar, a few Wii consoles with the games projected on giant TVs, and arcade games and pool tables scattered all around the room. In short, Google can throw a party.

What I got out of today’s session was learn Python, and get better at Java. On tomorrow’s agenda is GWT, more Android, and AJAX design patterns. As nerdy as it sounds, I’m pretty excited. I’ll be posting pics and a follow up to this post tomorrow night.

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