Google CEO Eric Schmidt Gives the Lowdown on Android at IFA Keynote

Google CEO Eric Schmidt delivers closing international keynote at IFA 2010:

“The future is now” says Schmidt

BERLIN, 7 Sept. 2010 – Google Inc. Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Schmidt took to the keynote stage at IFA today to preview new technologies – including tools for Android-powered smartphones that translate conversations from one language to another as you speak.

Schmidt spoke in Berlin at the 50th edition of the world’s largest consumer electronics and home appliances tradeshow.

Schmidt said more than 200,000 Android-powered smartphones are activated every day, and the Internet will soon deliver information to three or four billion people, “not just the elite,” via smartphones.

“That echoed the 1930 keynote by Albert Einstein,” said Jens Heithecker, executive director of IFA. “Einstein was talking about radio, the new technology of the time. He said ‘technology enables communication and communication connects people.’

“Google today connects people to the Internet and opens the world in the same way radio did 80 years ago. And IFA as a platform defines the technologies and innovations of the future that will move our industry forward,” said Heithecker.

Schmidt also previewed other advances in development at Google:

• Voice-powered search for Android, the mobile operating system for smartphones;
• Street-view search for Android;
• Android and the Android app store will be added to GoogleTV, which fuses television with the Web and search tools. Plans call for GoogleTV to launch this fall in the United States, then worldwide.
• Users will be able to use Android-powered smartphones and the Apple iPhone as remote control devices for GoogleTV.

“This was science fiction,” said Schmidt.

About IFA

IFA is the world’s largest consumer electronics and home appliances tradeshow. Now reaching its 50th edition, it has become the premier venue for global product introductions and business development. For more information, please visit: www.ifa-berlin.com