Google I/O: Biggest Announcements of the Keynote

— -- Google kicked off its I/O developer's conference today in San Francisco by announcing the latest Android update -- M -- will be released this year.

It wasn't immediately known which sweet treat Android M would be named for, following Google's tradition of working its way through the alphabet, naming each operating system update after a sweet treat.

Android M

Android M will be available as a pre-release version today with a wider release slated for later this year, bringing with it performance enhancements including an easier way to find information in apps and updates to Google Now, the Android virtual personal assistant.

Another welcome feature is an apps permissions system allowing users to approve or deny security settings for an app on a case-by-case experience.

Android Pay, Google's newest answer to the mobile wallet, was also announced today. Working with built-in fingerprint support in Android M, users will be able to use Near Field Communication readers in their phones to pay at certain retailers.

Google Photos

Google wants to organize your photos and videos with its new photos application. Working across all of a user's devices, photos is a place where memories can be easily accessed.

There's no need to create groups or albums. The app works by auto-grouping photos, letting users easily search for a specific memory such as "beach birthday party" or "Michelle's wedding."

The app will also make it incredibly easy to share multiple photos with friends across social media and via an easy link that can give someone access to a specific set of photos.

Google Cardboard for iOS

How about a field trip to the moon? Last year Google showed how it used cardboard and a smartphone to create a virtual reality experience.

Unveiled today, Google Expeditions takes students on virtual field trips to enhance their learning. Cardboard V2 will also work with iOS -- making it yet another step for Google bringing virtual reality to the masses.