An I/O conference made me understand Google's love for the third world

I wishful thinking that, following a heartwarming video about how Google Translate builds a bridge of communication between people speaking different languages, when Google Vice President of Engineering Ms. Jen Fitzpatrick took the stage to speak about how Google updates its products and optimizes the experience for users in underdeveloped areas, Google expressed its deep love for the third world.

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Google predicts that in the future, the shipment of smartphones in six emerging markets, including Brazil, China, and India, will reach 1.2 billion. According to the existing market share data, nearly 80% of these 1.2 billion phones will be Android phones. At last year's I/O 2014 conference, Google launched the Android One plan in the name of helping users in emerging markets use smartphones, and received support from 10 OEM manufacturers.

Android One, Google services in smartphones, and balloons and drones hovering in the sky have helped people in underdeveloped areas form the most basic impression of the Internet. Fitzpatrick pointed out that for most people, smartphones are the only computing device they own. It is no exaggeration to say that for the next billion people, the Internet is Google and Android.

Technology is not just about realization. Google not only wants these people to use the Internet, but also wants them to enjoy using it.

For example, in countries like Indonesia where network infrastructure is poor and 2G networks are still popular, Google will optimize the loading speed of search results pages, load fewer images, and reduce the size of web pages, reducing the normal loading speed from 7 or 8 seconds to 3 or 4 seconds. In addition, the Chrome browser cooperates with the web page preloading technology of Google servers, and the browsing experience on 2G networks will be smoother.

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For example, users in these emerging markets are happy to experience richer content. For these markets, Google has also launched the YouTube offline save and watch later feature, which allows videos to be saved offline for up to 48 hours, so that users in underdeveloped areas with poor living conditions and lack of high-speed broadband networks can also watch video content smoothly.

For example, in these underdeveloped areas, Google Maps will also be available offline - and it will be fully offline: offline search, offline destination details (including reviews), and offline local voice navigation.

I am a little jealous of the people in these "underdeveloped areas". You know, my country is also a "third world country".

Maybe you will laugh at me, saying that the "next billion" is where Google's profits will come from in the future. By providing more convenient and basic services, Google's core profit point, advertising business, will be greatly improved. Or, you may stand on the position of protecting privacy and accuse Google of harvesting data in these underdeveloped regions, and the purpose is still to make profits.

However, apart from making profits for itself, what has Google brought to these areas where people used to be poor and information was blocked? It has provided a network that connects people, information that can be accessed at any time, and a bridge that can overcome language barriers. Even the brothers in the real third world countries have no objection, so don't take a God's perspective.