Google for India 2023 event took place in New Delhi, as Google announce many new features, AI-power tools and showcase its strategies for the country. Google dominates with approximately 99% of the search engine market share in India.
Highlights of Google for India 2023 Event
Search Enhancements
Google at the event said it is enriching the search experience by incorporating images and videos into search results.
For example, when users look result on topics like “ways to drive a car” they can access visual and user-friendly AI-power overviews with images and instructional videos.
At the event, Google also announce that Search will soon be enrich with AI-power overviews for over 100 vital government programs.
These programs cover critical areas like employment, housing, healthcare, farming, women’s welfare, etc.
Google is also empowering small businesses to shine brighter in search results with a more visually appealing and easily filterable product feed.
Crafting high-quality product catalogs is now also easy due to generative AI.
Visual Skin Condition Search
With this new capability, showcase at the Google event, on Google Lens allows users to visually search for skin conditions similar to what they observe on their skin.
By capturing or uploading photos of the condition through Lens, users can find visual matches to better understand their situation.
Google Pixel 8 Production in India
At Google for India 2023 event Alphabet Inc. reveal plans to begin manufacturing its Pixel 8 smartphones in India, with sales set to commence in 2024.
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The Google Pixels have always been manufacture in China and you can tell that from the Made in China label that sits at the bottom of the back panel.
So, the company is planning to change that in an attempt to make the device more accessible to users.
The company says it’s starting with the Google Pixel 8 series itself and these locally manufacture units will be roll out in 2024.
YouTube ‘Watch Page’ for News
Google’s YouTube is set to introduce a ‘Watch Page’ dedicate to credible news sources in India.
This page will recommend videos from trustworthy news outlets and will be roll out in the coming months.
Google Pay Merchant Offerings
Google Pay is partnering with ePayLater to provide a credit line for merchants.
Loan by Google Pay
Google Pay also introduces sachet loans in collaboration with DMI Finance, starting at ₹15,000, with convenient repayment options.
Google Pay is gaining a new feature that allows users to swiftly locate and make payments for pre-approve credit lines from banks.
This innovation is set to provide millions of Indians access to formal credit.
Small businesses in India are also set to benefit, with access to formal credit that offers flexibility and convenience for their working capital needs.
Expanding Merchant Loans
Google Pay is expanding its portfolio of merchant loans in partnership with ICICI Bank, offering repeat loans powered by Indifi.
Consumer Offerings
Google India said that Google Pay has expand its portfolio of personal loans by adding Axis Bank’s personal loans to the platform.
Users can now avail credit from banks on UPI and make payments via Google Pay.
Enhanced Security
At Google for India 2023 event, company said it is enhancing its security measures with Google Play Protect.
You will receive real-time app scan recommendations to check at the code level when installing apps that haven’t previously scan.
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Leveraging Cloud Infrastructure for Citizen-Centric Services
To bridge the digital divide, Google Cloud is entering into a bunch of partnerships with key Indian organisations.
The platform is teaming up with Axis My India to launch an inclusive and multilingual super-app called “a.”
This app’s mission is to enhance access to government social welfare programs, day-to-day amenities, job opportunities, and healthcare benefits across India.
By utilising Google Cloud’s infrastructure, it aims to deliver these services to both urban and rural areas.
Google also announce an extend partnership with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
This partnership will facilitate Farmer Producer Organisations in selling their produce online, providing a more efficient and accessible marketplace.
Also, a collaboration with the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will introduce real-time payment systems via UPI, simplifying overseas payments.
Strengthening Digital Safety with DigiKavach
Google’s announcement of the DigiKavach initiative is about the collaboration with industry partners and experts to combat online financial fraud.
DigiKavach aims to delve into the workings of scammers and develop countermeasures against emerging scams.
Other Significant Developments Announced Google for India 2023
- Google is connecting over 900 million people across its platforms and letting them chat with businesses right from the search results.
- You can also book metro tickets on Google Maps, due to a partnership with ONDC. This feature will be coming soon in the next few months.
- Google and HP are teaming up to make affordable HP Chromebooks in India. These are low-cost laptops that run on Google’s Chrome OS.
- Google said that more than 350 million Indians are using digital payments in India, and they have processed a whopping Rs 167 lakh crores in value in the last 12 months.
- Google Pay has block Rs 12,000 crores worth of scams in India and remove 3,500 predatory lending apps.
- Google Play Protect is now stronger than ever and scans your apps for malicious code in real-time.
- Google is also working with the Government of India and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to deliver various services to the citizens faster and easier.
