Google tunes up I/O with Android treats (photos)

At the start of its annual Google I/O conference in San Francisco today, the company unveiled the cloud-based Google Music service in beta and movie rentals on the Android Market.

Initiatives intended to connect the home-- including Project Tungsten and Android @ Home--were also announced, offering a look into Google's view of the entertainment landscape.

Google VP of Engineering Vic Gundotra takes the stage in San Francisco for the start of Google I/O.

Google takes a not-so-subtle poke at Apple. The company announced it has 400,000 daily activations on Android devices.

Google has more than 10,000 people watching the keynote from more than 122 viewing parties set up around the world, including in Cairo and Tokyo.

Hugo Barra, director of Android product management, said he is very happy to share that Google has activated over 100 million Android devices and sees 400,000 activations daily.

A view of the new task switcher in Honeycomb 3.1 on the left side of the tablet's screen.

There are more than 200,000 apps now available in the Android Market. It took two years to get to the first billion Android app installations, then took only five months to get to the second billion. Now there are 1 billion app installs every 60 days.

The next iteration of the Android OS is called Ice Cream Sandwich.

A view of the new Movies app interface, which will allow 30-day movie rentals.

Google Music, in beta, is unveiled. Users can upload their music and listen to it from any Android device. For now, the service is free and by invitation ony.

The user interface design for Google Music Beta is similar to the Google Books and new Movies design.

Google pays attention as you listen to music, and can create custom playlists with the new "instant mix" service.

The cloud-based service means no more wires, or uploading or syncing between devices to access your music collection.

Showing off an accessories platform that integrates Android with external devices, Google demonstrates a phone connected to an excercise bike that allows the user to play a game on the phone which is actually controlled by the bike.

Google announces an API to connect Android to home appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators.

The integration of Android into the home means that lights could be controlled from a tablet, and even set to dim at specified times.

Project Tungsten, in beta, can connect to speakers or a home stereo system. During a demo, Google showed the potential of a music CD with a wireless tag to transfer and play content over the network.

Tying together the cloud music service with the speakers and home audio system, a tablet can direct music to Tungsten-enabled devices, such as speakers, in the home.

Google shows that it intends to integrate many of its services into a fully connected home, where everything from entertainment devices to home appliances can be controlled via Android.

Following the tradition of grand Oprah-like giveaways, Barra announces the new Samsung Galaxy Tab will go to each of the 5,000 Google I/O attendees.