What to anticipate and when it’s occurring

Google’s annual developer convention is inching nearer. Later at the moment, the corporate will take the stage to host Google I/O 2024. And whereas we do not know a lot about its plans for the massive present, we have now some expectations and educated guesses about what we’ll see. If final yr is something to guage by, Google will introduce extra generative AI options powered by Gemini, and we’ll probably hear a phrase or two about Android 15. There may be a {hardware} launch or two, however with the Pixel 8a now official, your guess is nearly as good as ours. This is what we’re anticipating.

When will Google I/O 2024 happen?

Since its inception, Google I/O has taken place in Might, with three exceptions. The occasion was pushed to June in 2012 and 2014 and canceled in 2020. Holding with the same old mid-Might slot, Google introduced the occasion will happen on Might 14, 2024. That is at the moment.

As all the time, Google launched a enjoyable little puzzle recreation to get the general public to determine the date. This yr, it took a number of hours till the date was revealed. The puzzle concerned creating pathways for a marble, with more and more extra parts like rotating puzzle items and buttons.

What to anticipate at Google I/O 2024?

Whereas Google I/O is simply days away, we nonetheless do not know a lot about what Google has in retailer for us. Since it is a developer convention, it all the time covers subjects for individuals who develop apps and web sites. On the similar time, the occasion has grow to be extra accessible to shoppers previously one and a half a long time, with Google launching huge moonshot initiatives like Google Glass and lots of of its gadgets.

Do not count on a lot in the best way of recent {hardware}

We had anticipated to see the Pixel 8a introduced onstage, however Google stunned everybody by unveiling its newest telephone one week forward of the particular keynote. As a substitute, the Pixel 8a is now already on sale on retailer cabinets.

In contrast to final yr — the place we discovered particulars concerning the Pixel 7a, Pixel Pill, and Pixel Fold — we do not count on to listen to way more about precise {hardware} at I/O. The Pixel Fold 2 rumors and leaks have solely just lately began to select up the tempo, and contemplating it would get a reputation change to suit into the Pixel 9 household, it is extremely unlikely. And talking of, the Pixel 9 sequence is just too far off for us to study a lot about it, although contemplating what number of leaks we have seen, a tease is all the time a risk.

We additionally have not heard any information relating to a Pixel Pill 2, with just some mentions of the system’s codename on the web. We would not be stunned if Google teased the Pixel Pill 2 at this yr’s Google I/O, however contemplating the corporate simply launched a dockless model of the first-gen mannequin, we’re not anticipating a launch within the subsequent few months.

There’ll probably be AI, AI, and extra AI

Google responded to ChatGPT’s in a single day success by pausing after which pushing as a lot generative AI as potential to see what caught. Now, we have now a greater thought of Google’s technique. The corporate is all-in on its generative Gemini mannequin, which powers its chatbot and Samsung’s Galaxy AI options. Google is reportedly speaking to Apple about lending it a hand with generative AI options for iOS.

It is potential that Google will speak about a few of these collaborations and a number of the instruments it made out there to builders on the convention. If the Apple deal goes via, we’ll probably wait till Apple’s WWDC developer convention in June to listen to extra.

On the similar time, Google labored on bringing AI to extra of its apps and providers. Amongst them is the Gemini chatbot, which has the identical title because the underlying mannequin, which is out to exchange Google Assistant. It is able to answering extra questions than Assistant was ever capable of. Nonetheless, it must work on its accuracy and falls again to Assistant for less complicated duties like “flip off the lights.” We’d hear extra concerning the transition plan at Google I/O, together with what’s going to occur to current Google Assistant residence gadgets.

Past that, Google will probably reveal extra new AI options. We may see a more recent, higher model of Gemini, extra on-device capabilities for the Pixel 8 Professional, and broader availability throughout different Android producers.

We may get a glimpse of Android 15

We have already seen the primary Android 15 beta, and we’ll probably get Android 15 Beta 2 on stage subsequent week throughout I/O. That is historically when Google likes to unveil user-facing options to the general public, making it the right time to hop on board and obtain some pre-release software program in your Pixel. Contemplating a number of the current leaks we have seen relating to Android 15 — together with pressured darkish mode for all apps, an improved panorama UI, and higher notification administration — it could possibly be a fairly thrilling time. And that is on prime of the entire numerous AI-focused information and options.

Google I/O 2024 is true across the nook

Google I/O 2024 will not be as thrilling as Google I/O 2014, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Again then, the corporate confirmed off its redesigned Android Lollipop with its coherent Materials design language, its WearOS predecessor Android Put on, Android TV, and Android Auto. This yr’s Google I/O will nonetheless give us a glimpse of what Google has deliberate for the long run, even when it might imply extra generative AI in much more locations. Within the meantime, keep tuned for all of the information over the following few days.