Material Design
Material design represents a common philosophy that will be present across all of Google's products. It allows developers to specify an elevation value for each UI component, and have real time lighting and shadows run over it.
Additionally, a lot more animation is present, in order to make transitions smooth. Real world objects do not teleport from one place to another, and this is reflected in Google's new design language.
Perhaps more interesting were the hints that Matias Duarte, Vice President of design at Google, seemed to be dropping. In an interview with the Verge, Matias pondered "what if we could design for the materials of the future, instead of the materials of today", during which an animation of a shapeshifting screen was being shown. He then went on to say "...and that future is right around the corner".
All of the principles in Material Design would work perfectly with a screen like the one being shown off, and it suggests that Google wants to start preparing for that technology starting now.
Android TV
While previous attempts into this niche failed, Google is back. This time Android TV boasts a sleeker, more modern UI, with a renewed emphasis on content and gaming.
Content will make its way from the Google Play Store, as well as third parties such as Netflix.
The OS will either come baked into TVs, or in the form of a micro console. Currently, Asus and RAZER are said to be planning consoles using the Tegra K1 from nVidia. This could make the boxes perfect candidates to stream PC games using nVidia's gamestream technology. This would present a very real threat to lower tier steam machines.
The Android TV can be controlled using your voice, a phone, or even a smartwatch.
ART
ART isn't the runtime Android needs, but the one it deserves. Boasting significant performance increases, as well as 64 bit support, it will help ensure Android users get a great experience even on lower end hardware.
Android Wear
Android Wear has been announced for a while, but only now are we really getting to understand how Google will be tackling the wearables niche. Ideally, the phone is a central hub where everything really happens, and wearables connect to this.
Notifications, music controls, and GoogleNow are all on your wrist, making train journeys that much easier. Your watch can even authenticate who you are, and the phone will not prompt you for a password when unlocking it.
The OS seems very simple and intuitive, with vertical swipes to switch between notifications, and horizontal swipes to either dismiss them, or get more details.
The backgrounds are contextual. It's not a huge feature, but one that helps give Android Wear that feeling of polish.
Cardboard
Cardboard isn't a competitor to Oculus Rift, but it is an interesting concept. It's made of cardboard that can be folded up to form a VR headset, into which you place your phone. A downloadable app then gives you interesting capabilities with the headset.
It's not meant for gaming at all, it simply isn't fast, or sophisticated enough. But Cardboard does allow a new and interesting way to interact with your mobile device, like VR streetview.
Not much has been said on what this means for Google. It could suggest that the company is interested in VR, but that's just speculation at this point.
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