Google I/O 2014 has passed and we at RunMags want to report out on some of the things that will change the lives for magazine publishers.

Android Wear, Auto, and TV

Google is already well-acquainted with the living room, having launched its Google TV platform at the I/O conference four years ago. This year revealing its next play in home entertainment with Android TV, a brand-new platform that’s part of Android L, and it’s bringing Google’s OS back to the big screen. In addition to Android TV, Google also launched Android Auto and Android Wear. Google is definitely going for making content publishing and advertising available 24/7!

We’re looking forward to getting our hands on these gadgets soon to try them out, but until then, it’s probably safe to say that they will help change the advertising landscape and further break down the boarders between magazines, blogs, and television. For the average magazine publisher, what’s really interesting is the fact that it’s one standardized operating system across all these platforms which will make it easier and cheaper to publish interactive content with a great user experience from device to device.

Android L

Android L is an upcoming release of the Android mobile operating system, released in a beta for selected Google Nexus devices, with an expected release in late 2014. Google announced L to have a redesigned user interface built around a responsive design language referred to as “Material Design” as well as improvements to the notification system which allow them to be accessed from the lock screen and displayed within other apps as banners across the top of the screen.

While it’s too early to tell exactly how L will change the user experience, it’s likely that publishers will be able to improve how they interact with readers – in real time – and engage them through content selected for them.

Google Drive for Work

Google Apps for Business announced a suped-up version of Drive called Google Drive for Work. Google Drive for Work has improved data safety features but most importantly it will allow you to share files up to 5TB with anyone … even if they don’t have a Google account.

For a publishing business that is frequently sharing huge RAW files etc. this is a very important improvement. Priced at $10/user/month, Google Drive for Work also includes unlimited storage and the same Drive features that you’re used to from before. We had really hoped to see Google make Drive for Work go Enterprise with a corporate folder structure and improved integration with Google Sites for sharing corporate documents, but maybe that’s in the next release?

Google Apps for Business resources:

1. Free trial sign-up – discounted subscription, courtesy of RunMags
2. Product home page
3. Pricing page