For the past two years, Google has mostly been framed around Gemini as a chatbot. From Gemini Live to Nano Banana, Gemini has proved to be a useful tool for users, even reaching the number one spot in Google play and app store.

But Google’s latest Android push, announced today at The Android Show: I/O Edition, suggests the company has bigger ambitions for Gemini. With the introduction of Gemini Intelligence, Google appears to be positioning its AI as more than an app you open — it’s becoming the intelligence layer running underneath Android itself.

This move underscores Google is rethinking Android as an AI-first operating system, which could be be one of the biggest shifts in Android’s history.

What is 'Gemini Intelligence'?

Google has already made Gemini a central part of its product strategy, from Search and Gmail to Chrome and Android devices. But “Gemini Intelligence” changes the framing.

Rather than a stand alone app, Google appears to be placing it inside the operating system itself — connecting apps, understanding context and taking action across devices. This move represents a much bigger change in how Android works.

Now, rather than jumping between apps, menus and search bars, Google wants Gemini to understand what you are trying to do and move through the workflow for you. And that's where the phrase “Gemini Intelligence” starts to make sense.

Gemini in Chrome could be the real power move

One of the most important pieces of this shift is Gemini in Chrome for Android. Google is bringing Gemini deeper into the browser, where it can summarize articles, answer questions about web pages and help with tasks such as booking travel.

With Gemini as a foundational layer inside Chrome, instead of simply searching, clicking and reading, users can ask Gemini to interpret what is on the page, extract what matters and potentially take action.

That fits perfectly with the larger Gemini Intelligence strategy. Google is not trying to make users leave Android to use AI. It is trying to make AI show up wherever users already are.

Googlebook shows how far this could go

The new Googlebook category may be the clearest hardware expression of this idea. According to Google, Googlebook is a new Android-powered laptop platform “designed for Gemini Intelligence,” with partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo. The same report describes features including a “Glowbar” and “Magic Pointer,” a cursor designed to surface contextual Gemini suggestions.

A Gemini-first laptop would suggest Google is not limiting this strategy to phones. It wants Android, Chrome and Gemini to converge into a broader computing platform. That could put Google in a very different position against Apple, Microsoft and OpenAI.

Google’s advantage is that it already controls Android, Chrome, Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Search and a growing Gemini ecosystem. If Gemini Intelligence becomes the layer connecting all of that, Android could become much more than a phone OS.

The takeaway

The biggest thing to understand about Gemini Intelligence is that it moves AI from a destination to infrastructure, which users will immediately notice. But the big questions beyond usability remain. How much access should Gemini have? How transparent will these agentic actions be? Will users trust AI to move across Gmail, Chrome, shopping apps and banking tools? And will this actually save time, or just create new kinds of friction?

Those questions will only get more important as Gemini Intelligence becomes more capable. For now, it's clear that Google is no longer just trying to make Gemini a better chatbot. It is trying to make Gemini the intelligence layer for Android. And if it succeeds, Android will start feeling like one that understands what you need before you finish asking.

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Google plans to expand the types of devices that have access to Google Gemini, adding its AI to Android Auto and even the upcoming Samsung XR headset.

Those Gemini plans were a highlight of The Android Show: I/O Edition taking place today (May 13) ahead of the company's annual developer conference next week. In addition, Guemmy Kim, senior director of product and user experience at Google, expanded on the company's Gemini plans in a blog post timed in conjunction with the Android event.

According to Kim, Google plans to bring the majority of Gemini’s most helpful features, such as Gemini Live’s camera and screen sharing capabilities, to “billions of Android devices,” with no subscription required.

Gemini and WearOS

To start off, Google is looking to Gemini to WearOS smartwatches, meaning we could see the AI tool on both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and the Google Pixel Watch 3 at the least.

The addition of Gemini will mean that you can talk to the chatbot without having to take your phone out of your pocket, which is a godsend when your hands aren't free and you need some AI guidance.

On top of that, Google Gemini will be able to connect with your phone apps, meaning that you can request more information about emails or texts and get the relevant information on your wrist.

Gemini will improve your buds experience as well

If you don't happen to have a watch, then there's nothing to worry about, as Gemini is coming to Galaxy Buds as well. Following the Android Show event, Samsung confirmed that Galaxy Buds would add Gemini support, though it didn’t provide a timeline for the update.

With Gemini, you'll be able to use either your voice or pinch and hold controls to activate the AI on your Galaxy Buds to help you connect with your smartphone. For instance, you'll be able to ask Gemini the weather as you tie up your shoes or ask it to check for issues on your preferred route as you run.

Gemini and Android Auto

Google is also bringing Gemini to Android Auto — a long-awaited addition for some people. According to the blog, Gemini will enhance the experience that Google Assistant currently provides in Android Auto and cars with Google built-in.

Specifically, Google says Gemini will be able to understand "what you want while you’re driving, through natural conversations.” This will allow you to keep your focus on the road, rather than trying to find the right way to speak to your AI Assistant.

Gemini will do more than just offer helpful suggestions, though. It will also connect with your messaging app, providing summaries of incoming messages. You'll be able to tap into translation features from behind the wheel, too.

In addition to summaries of texts and emails, Gemini can offer a rundown of your tasks for the day or a synopsis of a book.

Gemini will arrive in Android Auto in the coming months, followed by integration into Google Built-in cars.

Gemini and Google TV

Google TV will also see a wealth of new capabilities thanks to Gemini integration, highlighted by more refined search options. As an example, Google says you'll be able to search for age-appropriate action movies if you want to watch something with your kids.

However, Gemini can do more than just search for movies on your Google TV — you'll also be able to get answers to questions as you would with an assistant on your phone. Gemini will look for responses on the web, even bringing up relevant YouTube videos if it can answer your question.

Gemini and Android XR

Finally, Google will pair Gemini with Android XR, the new operating platform for mixed reality headsets and glasses the company's been developing with Samsung and Qualcomm. Google says it's looking to “craft new ways to interact with the next generation of devices from headsets to glasses and everything in between.”

Samsung has indicated it's releasing the Project Moohan headset later this year, and when it does arrive, Gemini will come included. That could lead to some pretty impressive features.

Google says you'll be able to use Gemini to quickly plan a holiday on the headset, with maps, videos and tips floating up before you for a more immersive and engaging experience that will help give you a sense of place.

Gemini outlook

Overall, the integration of Google Gemini into more devices is certainly an exciting development, and we're looking forward to trying out the AI chatbot on some of the devices Google outlined.

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Update: Today is Google I/O. Follow our Google I/O 2024 live blog for all the big news as it happens. 

Google hosts Google I/O 2024 Tuesday (May 14), and while there will be new updates across mobile, home and wearable devices during the annual developer event, AI will be center stage.

Google Gemini is the search giant's family of artificial intelligence models that's increasingly finding a space front-and-center in everything Google makes, from replacing Assistant on Android to powering analysis in search results.

What we’ll likely see at I/O is a new version of Gemini, further integration across yet more products and multimodal features coming to the Gemini chatbot, giving it the ability to take in speech, code, music and video for the first time. (You can find out what Google announces for yourself with our guide on how to stream the Google I/O keynote.)

Rumors suggest that we may also see Gemini adopt some of the more prominent features of rival OpenAI ChatGPT, including persistent memory across all conversations. But with OpenAI unveiling its new GPT-4o model with built-in voice assistant and vision features, Google will have to play catchup.

What to expect from the Gemini models

Google likes to confuse people — or at least that’s how it feels sometimes. The name Gemini applies to the underlying large language models, the Assistant replacement on Android, the chatbot and the AI auto complete in workspace.

To confuse things even further, there are three versions of Gemini. The first is Nano which runs on phones and small devices, Pro which runs in the cloud and powers the Assistant and the free version of the Gemini chatbot. Ultra is the most powerful model — at least, on paper — and it powers the $20/month Gemini Advanced.

Earlier this year, Google unveiled Gemini Pro 1.5. This was a big upgrade to the previous generation of Gemini as it added better understanding, music and video input and a massive million token context window — this is how much data it can store and reference from a single conversation.

Gemini Pro 1.5 is still only available to developers and researchers. While it doesn't have the reasoning of Gemini Ultra, in many ways it is more powerful.

At Google I/O, I suspect we will see some correction of this situation with 1.5 version upgrades to each of the free models in the family. They are also likely to be made available to the Gemini chatbot and Android Assistant.

New AI features at Google I/O

Google has already teased a new version of Gemini, which leverages Google's voice assistant and video features to describe what's going on in your camera's view and provide assistance. We expect to hear a lot more about this feature. 

Gemini can do a lot more than is currently possible through chat or voice interfaces. This includes taking in video and music content. I suspect both will be upgraded to add these new input options at I/O.

I think we will also see integration with other Google products and services, bringing more generative AI features to Photos, Docs and Slides. These will also be more tightly integrated into the Gemini Assistant and chatbot.

One of the more useful aspects of Gemini over ChatGPT is its deep integration with the Google ecosystem. Accessible via extensions, this includes access to search, flights maps, all of your documents and, of course, YouTube. Even YouTube Music is joining this extensions list — albeit only in the Android assistant version of Gemini.

While unlikely, one thing we might see is Google adding third-party providers to the extensions list. This would mirror functionality available in ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. If Google does integrate this, we could see companies like Uber and Kayak access Gemini. In Assistant, for example, you could plan a trip and manage all bookings from within chat, if this were to happen.

Google vs. the AI competition

The world is moving away from text and onto voice in terms of AI. This is being seen in the form of every AI lab working on synthetic voice solutions. 

We’re also moving away from chat and onto agents where you instruct the AI to perform a series of tasks on your behalf rather than just having a friendly chat. 

This is something we are already seeing from OpenAI. Apple is also said to be looking at this as an approach for Siri 2.0, which we expect to see at WWDC 2024 next month. And to some extent, Google is doing versions of this with the Gemini Assistant on Android.

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Google I/O is right around the corner. Starting on May 14, Google will show off what the company has in the works, including Android 15, Wear OS 5, Android TV and more. With just under a month until the event kicks off, the entire schedule has been revealed, giving us a detailed look at what Google plans to show off and when.

The schedule, posted on Google's My I/O page, covers everything from the opening keynote to the closing session, "How to deploy all the JavaScript frameworks to Cloud Run," and everything in between. 

The keynote, which Google describes as a chance to "Discover how we're furthering our mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful," takes place at 10am PT (1 pm ET). It'll be followed by a Developer Keynote, which Google describes as an opportunity to "Learn about Google's newest developer tools and discover how they fuel innovation and enhance your productivity."

While both keynote speeches have vague descriptions, we could see some hardware announcements there, like the Pixel 8a, which has leaked in full. 

Some other events provide more details about Google's plans. Called "What's new in Android," Google describes the event as a place to "Get the latest in Android development covering generative AI, Android 15, form factors, Jetpack, Compose, tooling, performance, and more."

Another event that could pertain to consumers is called "What's new in Google AI." It will let developers and users "Experience Google's latest AI tools and discover what's new in the Gemini API, Google AI Studio, Gemma, Kaggle Models, and Google's open-source libraries, including Keras and JAX." 

Other events worth watching include "What's new in ChromeOS," "What's new in Google Play," "What's new in the Web," "Generative AI on mobile and web with Google AI Edge," "Android for Cars: New in-car experiences," "Building for the future of Wear OS," "Everything you need to know about Google TV and Android TV OS" and "Gemma models: Unveiling the latest advancements." 

For developers, there are tons of other events to watch, but the ones listed above offer the best chance of seeing new Google features that could make their way to your Android phones, tablets, TVs, cars, and other places that you interact with on a daily basis.

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US Cellular briefly opened a support page for the Google Pixel 8a, indicating the phone's official release may be very close. 

This news comes to us from a post by well-known leaker Evan Blass, who spotted that US Cellular had accidentally posted a device tutorial for Google's budget smartphone. The single image included is of the front of the new Pixel, and its new rounded chassis. 

The alleged Pixel 8a image matches prior leaks that seemed to reveal the phone's design. Yup, it looks a lot like the Pixel 7a it'll replace. This is somewhat disappointing as the noticeable bezels we complained about in our Pixel 7a review are still present, though it isn’t surprising considering the Pixel 8a is still a budget model. While it doesn’t show off the back of the phone, we have seen the camera layout leaked before in a YouTube ad. 

So. Many. Leaks.

This US Cellular listing is one of a series of leaks that have revealed almost the whole Pixel 8a, including most of the specs, before the official launch. For instance, according to leaks, the Google Pixel 8a has a 6.1-inch FHD OLED screen and a Google Tensor G3 chip. The image in question also shows off the Obsidian color, one of the four that will apparently be available.

We have a reasonably good idea of how much the phone will cost, around $500 to $550. This could mean its price is slightly higher than the Pixel 7a, which retailed for $499 on release.

It has long been assumed that we will see the Google Pixel 8a for the first time at Google I/O 2024 on May 14. While we don’t know the exact retail release date, this US Cellular post indicates that stores are already preparing for it, likely meaning that the Pixel 8a will go on sale quickly after its announcement.

For more information about Google’s next budget device please see our Google Pixel 8a hub, which has all the latest news and rumors. You could also read up about the upcoming Android 15, which will no doubt be discussed in depth at Google I/O, along with the rumored Pixel Fold 2, which we're also hoping will appear at the event's keynote presentation.

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Google has sent out invites for Google I/O 2024, the latest iteration of its annual developer conference in Mountain View, California. Mark your calendar: May 14 is when I/O 2024 kicks off.

While the two-day event is specifically for Google developers to network and learn, there's always at least one significant keynote presentation that reveals new Google hardware and software. That's why the event is livestreamed, and watching Google I/O 2024 live could be especially exciting because this may be the first time we're formally introduced to Android 15. The Android 15 developer preview launched last month, so it seems likely Google's cooking up a sizzle reel to showcase the next version of Android onstage during the I/O keynote.

That showcase would feel a little anemic without some new hardware to go with new Android, so we expect to see some fresh Google devices unveiled during I/O 2024. We put strong odds on the debut of a Pixel 8a to succeed the affordable Pixel 7a, since we've already seen renders of a Pixel 8a design as well as retail packaging.

This is also a convenient event for Google to talk up its AI offerings, as a Pixel 8a would almost certainly come with the same Tensor G3 chip which powers the Google Pixel 8. Everything from the software keyboard to the web browser to call screening has extra AI features driven by the G3 chip, so we expect to see Google talk up at least a few new AI innovations at I/O 2024.

Those of us with a penchant for more eccentric tech are weighing the odds we see a new Google foldable unveiled at this year's show. The original Pixel Fold was announced at Google I/O 2023, and if you read our Google Pixel Fold review you'll see that while it is one of the best foldable phones around right now, there are a few things (like those thick bezels) that could definitely be improved upon in a Pixel Fold 2. We're hearing that the Pixel Fold 2 could have one of the biggest displays ever on a foldable at over 8 inches. 

But if you're betting on more than a teaser for a new Google wearable or tablet, I'd give you long odds. We didn't meet the Google Pixel Watch 2 until last fall, so I don't expect another one until at least October 2024. And while the Google Pixel Tablet did debut at Google I/O 2023, it's not uncommon to go 2-3 years between hardware refreshes with some tablets. 

Google Gemini and AI

Google will likely also use Google I/O 2024 to update the world on its AI advancements, including Google Gemini. Gemini has come under hot water for some issues with its AI-generated images, including images of racially diverse Nazi soldiers. And Google was forced to pause AI-generated images of humans as a result while it retools its AI. 

But it hasn't been all bad news for Gemini. In fact, Google's chatbot recently beat ChatGPT in our Gemini vs ChatGPT face-off. And we've been fairly impressed with how well Gemini has performed when we have tried various Gemini AI prompts. 

But Google will need to prove that it's making serious strides with Gemini and AI overall, especially in light of the progress OpenAI is making with video and its new Sora tool. Sora has floored observers with its amazingly realistic clips, and it's going to be made available to the public this year.

Google will also have to show that it's being cautious with its AI developments, especially as it tries to guard against the spread of misinformation in a critical election year. 

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Update: Today is Google I/O. Follow our Google I/O 2024 live blog for all the big news as it happens. 

Google I/O 2024 takes place today (May 14), and it's clear what won't be at this year's developer conference. Most people (including us) expected to see the Pixel 8a at the Google I/O keynote, since Google has shown off its A Series phones at past events. Then Google went and surprised us by announcing the Pixel 8a a week before the I/O keynote. (For our first impressions, read our Google Pixel 8a hands-on.)

So what does Google show off instead? There's lots of potential Google I/O announcements, as it turns out, though phones and smartwatches will likely not appear until the fall. Instead, based on the Google I/O agenda and the mood of the tech industry in particular, we'd imagine a lot of the focus will be on AI — specifically, how Google plans to expand on its considerable AI efforts to date. Rival OpenAI is even holding its own event a day before I/O, underscoring the attention AI features commands these days.

After Google threw us a curve with that early Pixel 8a release, here's everything we know about Google I/O 2024 prior to tomorrow's keynote.

Google I/O 2024: Dates

Google I/O is scheduled for May 14 and 15. This year marks a return to a multiday event, after Google I/O 2023 wrapped up in a single day. That said, it sounds like Day 2 is entirely focused on developers, so expect most of the relevant news to be made on May 14.

Google I/O 2024: How to watch

We've got a guide on how to watch Google I/O, but just like last year's event, you can stream the keynote and the subsequent on-demand content directly from the official Google I/O site — along with Google’s official YouTube channel.

There's already a placeholder video for the Google I/O keynote on Google's YouTube channel.

Google has posted the entire Google I/O schedule, revealing specific breakout sessions. As usual, the keynote opens things up on the first day of Google I/O, and that will feature most of the exciting announcements Google makes at the event.

Google I/O 2024: Android 15

One certain topic that should be touched at the annual developers conference is Android 15, codenamed Vanilla Ice Cream. That’s the dessert name of choice for this upcoming version of the software, following Android 14’s Upside Down Cake.

The visual aesthetics of the mobile operating system hasn’t seen a substantial facelift over the past few generations, but at least we could see the return of lock screen widgets. Android did offer widgets in the lock screen previously between Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Android 5 Lollipop, but has since abandoned them. Given how the iPhone recently got a boost with StandBy Mode in iOS 17, the reintroduction of widgets to the lock screen could pave the way for a similar feature.

After a couple developer previews, the first Android 15 beta is now available to download, at least if you have a Pixel phone. Expect plenty of Android 15 talk at Google I/O, recapping new features and showing them in action.

Google I/O 2024: AI rumors

Google’s been able to define its gadgets by focusing heavily around artificial intelligence. After years of seeing it to a degree with services like how Google Assistant can make restaurant reservations on your behalf with Google Duplex, AI features became the integral component for the company’s Pixel 8 lineup.

We suspect that we’ll hear more about AI-assisted features for its entire product portfolio at Google I/O 2024, as well as potential partnerships to bring them to other devices. For example, Samsung partners with Google to bring Circle to Search to the Galaxy S24 lineup. Most of Google’s AI features are tailored for smartphones, but it would benefit to bring them to its laptops, Chromebooks, wearables, and more.

Meanwhile, we could learn more about the new and improved Google Assistant with Bard integration, which is reportedly coming in March but could launch at Google I/O instead. And Google has also announced that it will be rolling out a premium version of Bard Advanced powered by the company's Gemini Ultra model. 

Google I/O 2024: Pixel Fold 2

Even with the Pixel 8a off the table as an I/O topic, that doesn't mean we won't see any phones. Last year's Google I/O introduced us to the Pixel Fold, a solid first effort at a foldable phone by Google. 

Google I/O 2024 could be the opportunity to at least tease us all with its successor. Details are just about non-existent at this point for the Pixel Fold 2, but considering how the foldable market saw increased competition in 2023, the Pixel Fold 2 would need to be a substantially more refined foldable.

While it was one of the first to feature a gap-less design, we criticized the large bezels around the main display in our Google Pixel Fold review. Hopefully, it’s a sleeker, more polished design this time with the Pixel Fold 2, but we’re also eager to see how the experiences will be boosted. Even though it has its own multitasking features that lets users run apps side-by-side, we’d love to see an implementation similar to Open Canvas with the OnePlus Open.

An exclusive from SmartPrix gave us a fully 360-degree video render of the upcoming phone, as well as more details on its potential dimensions. According to the leak, the Pixel Fold 2 could well be the thinnest foldable phone currently on sale in North America, thinner even than the OnePlus Open and Galaxy Z Fold 5.

It's also possible that the Pixel Fold 2 might sit out Google I/O, as a new rumor suggets Samsung may instead make the Fold part of the regular Pixel lineup under a new name — the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. If that happens, presumably, the Fold would launch with the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup in the fall.

Google I/O 2024: Wearables

Google saved its Pixel Watch 2 reveal for its fall event alongside its Pixel 8 phones, but we could perhaps see other wearables at Google I/O 2024 — whether they’re Pixel or Fitbit related. The most realistic prospect would be a Pixel Watch 3 teaser at best, especially how the previous two made their official debuts during Google’s fall hardware event.

And, who knows, maybe Google is looking to launch a fitness ring to go up against Oura and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Ring. 

Even if we don't see wearable hardware, Google could talk about WearOS and any new features that it has planned for the wearable software that powers its devices.

Google I/O 2024: VR and AR

Apple’s making a ton of noise right now with the release of the Vision Pro. The ambitious mixed reality headset is already revolutionizing the way we work with spatial computing, so Google I/O 2024 could be just the perfect time for Google to respond. Google has confirmed that is collaborating with Samsung and Qualcomm to release a mixed reality headset, though it may be premature to announce at I/O. 

For its part, Qualcomm has expressed excitement about how its Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 will “provide leading XR experiences.” Developers would have the necessary amount of time to create experiences and apps if Google ends up revealing plans about a virtual reality headset.

There’s very little time for Google to delay here, as this brand new market is ripe with opportunity. 

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The Google Pixel Watch 2 has officially arrived, introducing upgrades that further solidify Google’s efforts in the wearable market.

While Google Pixel Watch had a lot to offer as a first-generation device, the Pixel Watch 2 looks to build on its success. It once again leverages Fitbit health-tracking features, but now gets the stress-detection sensor featured in the Fitbit Sense 2. An upgraded heart rate sensors and convenient workout tools double down on Google's fitness efforts, too.

What's more, an improved processor promises zippier Wear OS performance and a battery life that can actually last 24 hours with the always-on display mode enabled. The watch is also lighter than before, and although the display bezels are still pretty chunky, the glass is slimmer and the watch therefore sits more flush on the wrist.

In several ways, it seems like the Pixel Watch 2 made key changes to keep up with the best smartwatches. But there still could be ways in which the Pixel Watch still needs to catch up to other Android smartwatches. Either way, now that it's here, this is what you'll want to know. 

Google Pixel Watch 2 price and release date

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is available for pre-order starting October 4, alongside the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro. The official release date is October 12. 

As for price, the Pixel Watch 2 costs $349 for the Wi-Fi model and $399 for the LTE-compatible version. The latter model lets you stay connected when you're out and about without your phone, though you'll need to set up a plan with your mobile carrier for an additional fee.

For comparison, the Pixel Watch 2 price lands between the Apple Watch Series 9 ($399 starting price) and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 ($299 starting price).

Google Pixel Watch 2 design

The Google Pixel Watch 2 design is very similar to the first-generation Pixel Watch design, just based on initial looks. It still only comes in a single, 41mm size and features a circular display with rather thick bezels.

But now the watch casing is made of 100% recycled aluminum, dropping the weight from 36 grams (1.27 ounces) on the original to 31 grams (1.1 ounces). The glass screen is also thinner, slimming down the watch slightly. Apparently the digital crown is a bit easier to move, too. 

In terms of color options, the Pixel Watch 2 is available in matte black aluminum, polished silver, and gold aluminum. All choices come with an active band with soft-touch coating. Alternatively, you can choose from a new selection of metal slim bands launching alongside the Pixel Watch 2.

Google Pixel Watch 2 health tracking features

Although the original Pixel Watch launched with a big emphasis on health tracking, Google is doubling-down on its Fitbit integration with a number of wellness-minded upgrades for the Pixel Watch 2. For one, it has a new multi-path heart rate sensor that promises to be up to 40% more accurate thanks to the addition of more LEDs and photodiodes.

There's also new cEDA (continuous electrodermal activity) sensor carried over from the Fitbit Sense 2. The cEDA reader can pick up on subtle changes in your heart rate, skin temperature and even skin moisture to detect when you're having a quick change in mood. You'll (optionally) be prompted to log your feelings and take action if deemed necessary. 

For workout tracking, there's now greater convenience built-in with automatic workout tracking. The Pixel Watch 2 can identify when you've initiated 7 different workouts types, as well as automatically pause the workout when you're stopped moving. When it thinks you're done exercising, it'll prompt you to end the activity as well. 

Other welcome features include pace training and heart rate zone tracking during workouts. Hopefully these features aren't paywalled by a Fitbit Premium membership. That said, Fitbit Premium does have some worthwhile features such as a Daily Readiness Score and Sleep Profiles. 

Google Pixel Watch 2 performance and software

The second-generation Pixel Watch dropped the Samsung Exynos 9110 in favor of the more modern Qualcomm Snapdragon W5100. This processor promises snappier performance. Some users with the first model complained the watch could be more responsive, so it'll be interesting to see whether the upgraded chipset makes a difference.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 comes loaded with Wear OS 4, the latest software version of Google's Android-compatible smartwatch platform. In addition to basic apps for things like the weather and timers, the watch comes outfitted with more operational Google apps than you'll find on any other smartwatch.

New for the Pixel Watch 2 are upgraded Gmail and Google Calendar apps, while Google Assistant on the wrist can now handle health and fitness prompts. Plus, a new "At a Glance" watch face complication arrives to deliver relevant information at times you need it. 

Google Pixel Watch 2 safety features

The Google Pixel Watch 2 seems to prioritize safety with two new ways to get help when you might need it most. While the watch already had the essential Fall Detection tool (even if it came in a later update) it now has a feature called Safety Check. You can enable Safety Check to track your location In certain scenarios, and if you don't respond when your watch asks you to confirm if you're OK, Emergency Sharing will kick in. This means your emergency contacts will be alerted of your location.

Safety Signal is another new safety feature. It sounds like Emergency SOS on the Apple Watch, where you can connect to emergency services even without an LTE plan should you need help urgently.

Google Pixel Watch 2 battery life

The battery life on the Pixel Watch 2 gets a bump, though it's a bit odd to consider It a true upgrade. The original Pixel Watch could only last 24 hours with the always-on display turned off. Now, Google says you can leave the AOD enabled and still get a day's worth of juice. While it's not quite the boost we hoped for, at least now you'll be able to use the display feature without compromising.

Google Pixel Watch 2 outlook

The Google Pixel Watch 2 seems to make some meaningful upgrades, though it's too soon to say whether they'll truly make the new watch feel like a step up from the original. Some of our key pain points of the first Pixel Watch weren't truly addressed, though the new health and safety features are certainly welcome. 

We were introduced to the Google Pixel Tablet ($499) at Google I/O 2023 this week, the company's first new Android tablet in years.

And while the 11-inch slate is as portable as any iPad, Google is pitching it as a tablet optimized for home use thanks to the Charging Speaker Dock that comes included with every Pixel Tablet. 

Dock the tablet (as we did during our Google Pixel Tablet hands-on) and it switches to Hub Mode, allowing you to do things like use it as a digital photo frame or a voice-controlled assistant for your home—so you could tell it to, say, turn down the lights in the kitchen and start playing your "Now We're Cookin' With Sass" playlist. 

This is a unique pitch for a new tablet, and it's intriguing to see Google try to sell a premium slate that also offers smart home features typically found only on the best smart displays. The Google Pixel Tablet is also optimized for Google apps like Google Meet, Google TV and Google Photos, while the Tensor G2 chip under the hood gives it the muscle to handle video calls, photo editing and tablet gaming.

It's a surprisingly compelling package that makes the Google Pixel Tablet look like a strong contender for one of the best Android tablets. It's also priced to compete with Apple's iPad 2022 ($449), one of the best tablets on the market right now. 

But how do the two tablets compare? You'll want to check out the rest of our Google Pixel Tablet vs. iPad faceoff to find out.

Google Pixel Tablet vs. iPad: Specs

Google Pixel Tablet vs. iPad: Price and availability

Right now you can order the Google Pixel Tablet via Google’s website for a starting price of $499 in the U.S. and £599 in the U.K., in your choice of three color options: Hazel, Porcelain or Rose.

The entry-level model comes with an 11-inch (2560 x 1600) 16:10 LCD display, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. You can pay an additional $100 to double the storage to 256GB, and Google also sells a range of accessories for the tablet, including a $79 case with built-in stand that can be kept on the tablet while it’s docked and $129 for additional docks.

Apple's base iPad, by comparison, starts $50 cheaper at $449. You can get one in Silver, Blue, Yellow or Pink, and the entry-level version sports a 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640) Liquid Retina display, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. 

You can pay an additional $150 to bump the storage up to 256GB, and Apple sells a range of its own iPad accessories, but most aren't compatible with the base iPad. You could get a 1st-gen Apple Pencil ($99) if you want, though be ready to plug your Apple Pencil into the iPad to charge it.

While Google's slate is slightly more expensive than Apple's entry-level iPad, I think Apple is playing a little trick on you by only offering the base iPad with 64GB of storage. That's very little storage these days, and if you want to put more than a handful of apps, videos, and games on your tablet you're going to want more than 64GB. And since Apple only offers one upgrade option (to 256GB for an additional $150), it's basically gently forcing you into paying at least $599 for a decent iPad.

Admittedly, the Google Pixel Tablet is also $599 if you get the 256GB version, so if you want that amount of storage you're paying the same across the board. But the Google Pixel Tablet starts with 128GB of storage, which is actually decent and enough to get by without having to upgrade.

So if you think the iPad is automatically a better buy because it's $50 cheaper to get the least expensive one, beware: You're getting screwed on storage.

Google Pixel Tablet vs. iPad: Design

The Google Pixel Tablet is just a smidge larger and heavier than Apple's iPad, at 10.2 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches in size and just over a pound in weight (1.08 pounds) vs. the iPad's slightly svelter design (9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 inches, 1.05 pounds).  

Where Apple's recent iPads cleave to a flat-edged aluminum design, the Google Pixel Tablet instead sports rounded edges and a matte nano-ceramic coating. There are 8MP cameras on the front and rear, as well as three microphones and four speakers inside the tablet. There's also light-up Google logo on the back, and in addition to the standard complement of power button (with built-in fingerprint reader), volume rocker and USB-C port it comes with a 4-pin connector for the Dock and a physical privacy button which disables the tablet's cameras and mics.

That physical privacy switch is the biggest differentiator between the design of the Google Pixel Tablet and Apple's iPad, and it could be the deciding factor if you're passionate about privacy.

However, Apple's iPad is a smidge lighter and thinner than the Google Pixel Tablet, and it doesn't have anything that lights up besides the display itself. So if you don't like the idea of a glowing G on the back of your tablet, Apple's iPad offers you a slightly less garish (though no less recognizable in public) tablet experience.

Google Pixel Tablet vs. iPad: Display

While we can't speak to the image quality of the Google Pixel tablet until we get one in for thorough testing, we can say that it looks nice in person. The 11-inch (technically 10.95-inch, thanks to the rounded edges) LCD touchscreen offers a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. 

That's slightly higher than the base iPad's 10.9-inch (2,360 x 1,640) display, which offers roughly 264 pixels per inch (PPI) vs. the Google Pixel Tablet's 276 PPI. 

However, that's a pretty negligible difference. The base iPad's screen is plenty big and high-res enough for day-to-day use, and it gets nice and bright too: Apple advertises the base iPad as achieving up to 500 nits of brightness, and our lab tests proved that out, as we recorded our iPad review unit peaking at 504 nits.

Can the Google Pixel Tablet deliver similar accuracy in advertising? Google claims the screen can achieve up to 500 nits of brightness, which makes it neck-and-neck with the iPad 2022. Of course, we’ll have to wait until we get one into our lab for testing so we can see for ourselves how well it delivers on Google's promise.

Until then we won't be able to say for sure which slate has the better screen, but based purely on specs there's very little difference between the two.

Google Pixel Tablet vs. iPad: Cameras

Sure, most of us never use the cameras on tablets for anything besides the occasional video call, but they're nice to have anyway. 

That said, Google seems to have kept the relative disuse of tablet cameras (at least, compared to the cameras on your phone) in mind when designing its latest slate. The Google Pixel Tablet sports a pair of 8MP shooters on front and rear, both capable of capturing 1080p video at 30 frames per second (FPS). 

The front camera also supports Portrait mode, and both offer a suite of software enhancements like video stabilization, photo-unblurring and the Magic Eraser (via the Google Photos app) app (also available on the new Google Pixel 7a) thanks to the Tensor G2 chip.

Apple's iPad, by comparison, has better cameras on front and rear with much better video capture capabilities. The pair of 12MP shooters on back and front can capture video at up to 4K/60 fps, and the front camera supports Center Stage, which taps the tablet's machine learning capabilities to intelligently crop your video feed and center it on you as you move, creating the illusion that the camera is following you (or whoever is speaking) as you move around the room. The Google Pixel Tablet has a similar feature, though.

In this category, it's no contest: If you care about having great cameras on your tablet, Apple's iPad is a better buy than the Google Pixel Tablet.

Google Pixel Tablet vs. iPad: Battery life

The Google Pixel Tablet is advertised as lasting up to 12 hours while streaming video, though that number was arrived at via internal testing streaming 1080p YouTube videos via Wi-Fi. If it proves accurate, that's good battery life for a tablet.

We can't say for sure how the reality compares to the promise yet, but once we get one in for testing we'll put it through our battery rundown test, which times how long the tablet lasts while endlessly surfing the web via Wi-Fi with its screen set to a specific brightness level.

When we put Apple's 2022 iPad through the same test it lasted a solid 10 hours and 57 minutes, which is pretty good and technically better than Apple's promised 10 hours. 

So if Google can deliver in the same way on its promise of the Google Pixel Tablet lasting 12 hours, it will be the clear winner in terms of battery life. Stay tuned for our full review to find out if Google's slate really lasts as long as advertised!

Google Pixel Tablet vs. iPad: Software

Google's devices are typically perceived to offer the "best" software experience in the Android world because they tend to run pure Android (that is, without any added bloatware, third-party storefronts or custom software that might get in your way) and are optimized for it by Google itself, which is responsible for maintaining and promoting Android.

The company appears to be positioning the Pixel Tablet as the new flagship Android tablet, optimized over 50 of its Google apps for the 11-inch tablet. It also claims this is the first tablet with built-in Chromecast support, so when it's docked in Hub Mode you can easily send it music or videos to play via another device, like your smartphone.

This is also the first tablet to sport Google’s Tensor G2 chip (which powers the Google Pixel 7 and 7a), which means it offers the sort o AI-like functionality usually seen in Google’s Pixel phones. That includes fun photo/video effects (like the afore-mentioned Magic Eraser in Google Photos) as well as the protection afforded by the company’s Titan M2 security chipset.

Apple's iPads, by comparison, offer you access to the Apple App Store. This is typically seen as a bit safer and more carefully curated than the Google Play Store accessible on Android, though Google's done a lot of work in recent years to improve the experience of using the Play Store. 

But really, what matters is less the app storefront you use and more what kind of apps you can access. In terms of software, the question of whether to go with a Google or Apple tablet is best answered by your existing allegiances. If you're already a regular Android user, you'll likely appreciate the Google Pixel Tablet's familiar interface and the easy access it affords you to your existing apps and accounts.

Of course, if you're a veteran Apple user the base iPad is probably better suited to you, for the same reasons. Regrettably, neither company makes it easy to take your data and purchases from one ecosystem to another.

Google Pixel Tablet vs. iPad: Speaker dock and Hub Mode

The Charging Speaker Dock included with every Google Pixel Tablet is its killer feature, one Apple's iPad simply can't match.

Now to be clear, nearly any tablet can be configured to let you interact with and control your smart home devices if you invest in the right apps and services. What sets the Google PIxel Tablet apart is the Dock itself, which has built-in magnets and better speakers (up to 4x the bass, according to Google) than the Pixel Tablet.

Docking the tablet causes it to switch to Hub Mode, which looks an awful lot like the home screen you see on the Google Nest Hub Max (check out our Google Pixel Tablet vs. Google Nest Hub Max face-off to see how they compare)..

Google says it is optimizing its apps to work well on the tablet when docked, and while it's ensconced and charging you can use it as a media hub, photo frame, hands-free voice assistant and more.

None of Apple's products, including the iPad, can really match this functionality. The Apple HomePod 2 smart speaker lets you use Apple's Siri voice assistant hands-free and plays well with iPads, but without a display it can't compare to the Google Pixel Tablet—and with a starting price of $299, it's one of the priciest smart speakers on the market.

If you like the idea of a tablet you can use as a smart screen while charging, one that's built to help you control your smart home, nothing compares to the Google Pixel Tablet.

Google Pixel Tablet vs. iPad: Outlook

We can't say for sure how the Google Pixel Tablet stacks up against Apple's iPad until we actually get one in ourselves for testing and review. However, based purely on what we've seen and touched so far, the Google Pixel Tablet is a solid Android tablet with a unique selling point: Smart home hub functionality.

If that sounds appealing to you, Google might have just sold you a Pixel Tablet, because no other slate on the market can match it on that front. 

However, if you could care less about having a smart home hub and just want a great tablet to browse the web, take video calls and play games on, Apple's base iPad might be more appealing. It offers better cameras, a slightly smaller and svelter frame, and the entertainment options available via the App Store, including access (for a fee) to Apple Arcade games.

Of course, we can't say for sure which tablet is better until we get a Google Pixel Tablet in for testing. Stay tuned for our full review!

More from Tom's Guide

• What is PaLM 2? Everything you need to know about Google's new AI model
• MacBooks with touchscreens could finally happen — here’s the proof
• Google Bard waitlist is gone — big upgrades just announced at Google I/O 2023

As someone who primarily uses Apple tech, I was surprised to feel a bit of jealousy towards the Google Pixel Tablet. As I watched its full unveiling at Google I/O 2023, I saw plenty of little things that made sense. 

A speaker base that it docks with, and a kickstand for the back, (courtesy of a neat case). While slick, neither of these two things felt like something that Apple should be ashamed it hasn't hit yet. And, then, Google dropped a feature that I felt revolutionary — at least to the Apple user in me. 

In the passing moments, though, I've realized that my favorite Pixel Tablet feature isn't actually that new in the overall world of tablets. Amazon Fire tablets and Samsung Galaxy tablets have also offered this feature. So, yes, the best Android tablets have held something over Apple's head for quite some time, and I think it's time for a change.

The Google Pixel Tablet understands the family

That feature is simple: the Pixel Tablet will support multiple users. Profiles can be protected by a PIN code, and allow each user to have their own apps, theme and privacy. Which is ideal for families, as one Pixel Tablet could be enough for the household, or at least until Junior needs to have theirs every minute.

When Rose Yao, Google's vice president of Product Management, announced this feature in the middle of her presentation I heard a smattering of applause and a few yelps and woos. And that made me realize I wasn't alone in waiting for Apple to catch up.

For those who aren't in the Apple eco-system, this might be shocking to hear, but Apple has yet to roll out support for multiple users. For as much as I love the iPad, this still feels like a shortcoming. 

I get that Apple probably wants each family member to buy their own iPad, but I have two reasons why that's not a great idea. First: iPads (especially the Air and above) are not cheap. As Apple continues to push the iPad Pro, one has to wonder why this device that has the power and apps to replace a laptop can't also have multiple users.

Secondly, buying multiple iPads when one could do the trick is simply wasteful. Apple constantly touts how green it is as a company. So while it can refine how it makes and packages its iPads, cutting down the amount of iPads a family has to buy could also reduce waste.

Of course, I'm sure Apple doesn't see multiple iPad households as wasteful.

Will Apple care about Google's upgrades?

The big question here, of course, is how much attention is Apple paying to Android tablets? Amazon Fire tablets and Samsung Galaxy tablets have long offered multi-user support. 

Fortunately, it seems like Apple has been thinking about how the iPad can grow. For example, there's a rumored hybrid iPad/Homepod that sounds like the Pixel Tablet's Charging Speaker Dock. I don't know if Apple would ever include a kickstand, which would hurt its accessory-selling business, but that would be good too.

But, please, Apple: consider adding multi-user support. I'm sure you can find a way to make it clean and Apple-like. You may sell slightly fewer iPads at first, but those tablets will become more valuable to those who use them.

More from Tom's Guide

• What is PaLM 2? Everything you need to know about Google's new AI model
• Bing with ChatGPT vs Google Bard: Which AI chatbot wins?
• How to use Google Bard

From AT&T to Verizon, we're seeing an influx of Pixel 7a deals today. However, most carrier deals will require that you open a new line or trade-in an old device. If you want the phone by itself, Best Buy is offering a pretty sweet deal.   

For a limited time, you can get the Google Pixel 7a for just $449 at Best Buy. That's $50 off its full price. Additionally, you'll get a free $50 Best Buy gift card with your purchase. To get this deal, you must purchase your phone and activate it during the checkout process. 

Key features: 6.1-inch OLED (2400 x 1080) 90Hz display, Tensor G2 CPU, 8GB of RAM, 128GB storage

Rear cameras: 64MP (f/1.85) main; 13MP (f/2.2) ultrawide

Front camera: 13MP (f/2.2)

Product launch: May 10, 2023

Price history: The Pixel 7a just came out, but there are already multiple deals available. Most carrier deals require that you open a new line, trade-in an old phone, or sign up for unlimited to get the phone. However, Best Buy is taking $50 off the phone and throwing in a free $50 Best Buy gift card — as long as you activate the phone during the checkout process. (Amazon offers a somewhat similar deal, but they're not discounting the phone like Best Buy). 

Price comparison: Amazon: $499 w/ $50 GC unlocked | Verizon: free w/ new line + unlimited | AT&T: $2/month w/ unlimited | Mint Mobile: $100 off + 6 free months of data | Google Store: free Pixel Buds + Case-Mate Case

Reviews consensus: The Pixel 7a is one of the best cheap phones you can buy right now. While we think the Samsung Galaxy A54 slightly edges it out, there are plenty of things to love about the Pixel 7a. In our Google Pixel 7a review, we said Google's new phone practically matches the pricier Pixel 7 feature for feature. 

Toms Guide: ★★★★☆ | TechRadar: ★★★☆☆ 

Buying guides: Best Android phones, best cheap phones

Buy it if: You want an Android phone with premium features and performance, but only have a small budget to spend. 

Don't buy it if: If you want a telephoto lens, which only the Pixel 7 Pro offers or is you prefer the Galaxy A54's 120Hz refresh rate and vastly improved cameras. Additionally, you may want to pass on the Pixel 7a if you're curious about the Google Pixel 8, which will likely make its debut this fall. 

Google I/O has long been the place where Google reveals its plans for Android’s immediate future, and Android for Cars is no exception. This year Google’s focus is on improving the in-car experience, especially since Android for Cars is becoming more and more widespread — and will be available in around 200 million vehicles by the end of the year.

For those that don’t know, Android for Cars comes in two distinct flavors: Android Auto and the confusingly named Android Automotive OS. Android Auto is the one that runs from your phone when you plug into your car, while Android Automotive OS is a car with Google built into it.

A lot of what Google has planned for cars is aimed at developers, but the overall focus is to improve the Android experience in the car. That includes both when you’re driving and if you’re parked up for whatever reason. With the increasing number of electric cars in the world, plenty of people out there will need a way to kill time when recharging.

Part of this involves adding more experiences to the infotainment system, particularly in cars with Android Automotive OS. YouTube support is coming to your car, starting with Polestar and Volvo vehicles, while games and a web browser will be coming at some point in the near future. That includes GameSnacks, a long-time Android Auto staple, that gives car occupants access to mini games when the car is parked.

Google will also be adding support for Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Cisco Webex to cars in the near future. That means you can listen into meetings on the road, without having to rely on your smartphone. It also means you can’t use the “I’m driving” excuse to avoid dialing in. Naturally this support will be audio only, since video would prove to be too distracting for safe driving.

Finally Google has brought Waze to all Android Automotive OS cars, after a brief period of exclusivity to certain Renault and Polestar cars. It’s rolling out now, and will be bringing electric car charging station support to the in-car version of the app. This update will also allow users to validate EV chargers, confirming pieces of information like plug types and opening hours.

Other changes to Android for Cars include letting IoT developers build apps with better smart home connectivity, making it easier to bring tablet apps to cars via Google Play, giving them access to more car sensor data, and offering voice support for app actions, which lets developers add more Google Assistant voice commands.

Multi-screen support will also be coming as part of Android Automotive OS 14, and navigation apps will also be able to integrate with the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel — offering turn-by-turn directions within the drivers’ line of sight.

It's not the most exciting array of updates, especially compared to the likes of the Google Pixel Fold. But it shows that Google is still committed to improving the Android experience inside cars — even if it's just a little bit. That's going to be especially important once the next generation of Apple CarPlay rolls out.

More from Tom's Guide

• Android Auto FAQ
• Android 14: Everything we know
• How to set up wireless Android Auto

The Google Pixel Tablet ($499) is potentially the most exciting Android tablet coming out this year. Unveiled during Google I/O 2023, the first-ever Pixel Tablet will function as both a standard tablet and as a smart home hub. The latter use case could make it a core component for folks who use Google’s applications and devices.

We’ll have to test the Pixel Tablet to see how it stacks up against the best Android tablets. But based on what we’ve seen so far, there are several reasons to be excited about this device. Conversely, there are also reasons you may want to skip it. Below, we’ll detail the pros and cons of getting the Pixel Tablet.

Reasons to buy

Charging Speaker Dock included

The Pixel Tablet comes bundled with the Charging Speaker Dock. This peripheral — which is included free of charge — is the secret weapon the iPad can’t match. When paired with the Pixel Tablet, the Charging Speaker Dock turns the slate into a smart home hub.

As Google demonstrated at I/O 2023, the Pixel Tablet magnetically attaches to the dock. When it does, the slate enters Hub mode. From there, you can use it hands-free through voice commands and configure it to serve as a media hub or even as a photo frame. You’ll be able to adjust your lights, lock doors and see if packages have arrived all from the slate when it’s in Hub mode.

Google claims the dock’s built-in speakers pump out “room-filling” sound and deliver four times the bass of the tablet. Considering how Google is pitching the tablet with dock as a digital media hub, this should serve as a great way to listen to music or watch videos.

Functionality with the Charging Speaker Dock effectively makes the Pixel Tablet into a portable Google Nest Hub — which is an exciting prospect. We’ll need to test this for ourselves to see how well it works, but we applaud the idea. After all, who doesn’t like devices that serve multiple functions?

Elegant and smart design 

The Pixel Tablet is every bit as elegant as Pixel phones like the Google Pixel 7a. Its rounded aluminum chassis and matte nano-ceramic coating give the device an air of sophistication. The three available color options: Hazel, Porcelain and Rose — only serve to make an already fetching device appear more distinguished.

The tablet measures 10.2 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches and weighs just over a pound — which makes it just slightly larger and heavier than the iPad 2022. That means you shouldn't have trouble carrying it around inside your house or when you’re outdoors.

One design choice I appreciate is the built-in stand on the back of the tablet. This will be useful when using the slate when you're out and about. It’s also nice that folks don’t have to purchase a separate peripheral like an Apple Smart Folio to prop this tablet up.

Center of a Google ecosystem 

If you frequently use Google’s applications and devices, the Pixel Tablet could serve as the center of the company’s ecosystem.

Google claims to have optimized over 50 of its own apps for the 11-inch display on the Pixel Tablet. We’re not sure how many third-party developers are doing the same, but it’d be great to see them jump on board. Google also claims that the Pixel Tablet is the first slate with built-in support for Chromecast. When the tablet is in Hub mode, you’ll be able to cast media right from another device.

As the first tablet to pack Google’s Tensor G2 chip, the Pixel Tablet features similar software and AI-like functionality seen in Pixel phones. This includes the protection afforded by the Titan M2 security chip and effects like Magic Eraser from Google Photos. These features, and more, should help the Pixel Tablet feel like a true Google device.

Reasons to skip

You don’t care about smart home features 

Integration with the Charging Speaker Dock seems to be the Pixel Tablet’s main selling point. However, if you don’t want or need smart home functionality, the tablet and its dock won’t be particularly useful. This is especially true for folks like me who live in apartments they can’t convert into a smart home.

If you’re already married to a smart home platform such as Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit, you might not be inclined to switch over to Google’s system. Having the Pixel Tablet function as both a slate and smart display is nice, but even that might not be enough to get people to ditch Alexa.

You don’t want or need an Android tablet 

Without the Charging Speaker Dock, the Pixel Tablet is just an Android tablet. If you’re in the market for such a device, you can opt for the OnePlus Pad, which costs $20 less than the Pixel Tablet. The $249 Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is another solid option that’s even more affordable. And of course, if you’re a fan of Apple slates like the iPad Air 5 or iPad Pro M2, you likely won’t give the Pixel Tablet a second glance.

Again, we need to test the Pixel Tablet ourselves to see what it has to offer. But based on what we know, it might not offer much as a stand-alone Android tablet. That would make it a hard sell even to Android aficionados.

Outlook

It’s tough to say whether or not the Pixel Tablet will be the ultimate smart home device Google wants it to be. If the slate and its dock work as advertised, it should provide an excellent hub for all your Google apps and products. But as we said, these same features might not mean much to certain consumers.

The Pixel Tablet will release sometime in May 2023. We’ll have a full review posted soon, but in the meantime, be sure to read our Google Pixel Tablet hands-on preview to hear our initial thoughts on the upcoming slate. Stay tuned for more!

More from Tom's Guide

• What is PaLM 2? Everything you need to know about Google's new AI model
• Bing with ChatGPT vs Google Bard: Which AI chatbot wins?
• How to use Google Bard

While new hardware was announced at Google I/O 2023, it was the company's AI initiatives that took center stage for much of the two-hour presentation. As was hinted at in a last-minute leak, Google used its annual developers conference as a platform to spell out its AI plans. Most significantly, it showed how its AI would be used to reimagine its search engine, which will potentially change how people look for and find what they need. 

We also say how Google's AI initiatives will also impact Workspaces (Google Docs, Gmail, Slides and Sheets), Google Photos, Google Maps, and its other online products. 

And, of course, we saw Google debut the Pixel Fold — its first foldable phone — as well as the Pixel 7a, a new sub-$500 phone, and the Pixel Tablet, which has a clever new docking station. 

It’s a lot to keep track of, but we’re on the scene in Mountain View, Calif., for this year’s Google I/O. Follow along with this Google I/O 2023 live blog for the latest rumors and updates on Google’s announcements.

What we saw at Google I/O 2023

Here's a quick rundown of what was announced at Google I/O:

Google Bard and AI: As predicted, we saw the debut of PaLM 2, a new version of Google's Pathways Language Model which is the driving force behind the company's AI tools like Bard. The updated model focuses on coding, math and creative writing, and there's already a specialized version that can aid in medical diagnosis. 

PaLM 2 has four submodels (Unicorn, Bison, Otter and Gecko) designed for different use cases, and is already powering 25 different Google products, including Android, YouTube, and Workspace apps such as Gmail, Google Docs and more. 

Google previewed some of the ways that AI would be used for some of its products; for example, it's been testing out Help Me Write, which can compose entire emails for you in Gmail. 

If you've been itching to try out Bard, good news: The Bard waitlist is gone. 

Google Search: Most significantly, Google Search is being reimagined using AI, so that you can type in more natural-language queries, and Google will return a more conversational answer, rather than a series of links. It will also allow you to ask contextual follow-up questions to further refine what it is you're looking for. It's a radically different approach, and one that could upend anyone who relies on Google Search to reach consumers. So, like everyone. It's currently being tested, which you can try if you sign up for the waitlist.

Google Maps: A slick new immersive view is coming to Google Maps. Now, when you plot a route in the app, you can get a neat 3D flyover of the route, which will give you a bird's-eye look at where you'll be going. And, you'll also be able to add traffic, weather and air quality data to the route, too.

Google Find My Device: Similar to Apple's Find My feature, Google is also working on device location tracking. Like iOS, it will use Android devices to help you find your stuff — be it phones, tablets, or earbuds — wherever you may have left it. It will also work with third-party trackers — Tile and Chipolo were confirmed — and Google also noted that an anti-stalking feature would be included. There was no timetable on when it would be released, though.

Android 14: The first Android 14 beta came out last month, and we're expecting the finished version to be ready sometime toward the end of summer. However, nothing really new was announced at Google I/O. Still, you'll want to check out the new features coming to Android 14.

WearOS 4: Google did announce the developer preview for WearOS 4, the next version of its smartwatch operating system. Key features of the new OS include better battery life, new watch face tools, improved accessibility features, and a new text-to-speech engine that should be faster and more reliable. 

Google Pixel Fold: Google finally introduced its first foldable phone. The Pixel Fold  Pixel Fold unfolds like a book to reveal a large 7.6-inch, 2208 x 1840 pixel display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The cover display is 5.8 inches in size, but has a wider aspect ratio than you'll find on the Samsung Galaxy Fold 4. The Pixel Fold is also the thinnest foldable, at 0.2 inches thick when open. 

The Pixel Fold's rear cameras include a 48MP rear camera, 10.8MP ultrawide camera and a 10.8MP telephoto camera with a 5x optical zoom and 20x Super Res Zoom (digital). The front has a 9.5MP front camera and there's a 8MP inner camera. 

Google Pixel Fold pre-orders start today (May 10), and the phone starts shipping in June. Verizon's release date is June 27. The Pixel Fold price starts at $1,799 for the 256GB model and goes up to $1,919 for 512GB.

Google Pixel 7a: The Pixel 7a uses the same chipset — the Tensor G2 — that powers current Google flagships, including the Pixel 7. The 7a packs two rear cameras —a 64MP (f/1.89) main and a 13MP (f/2.2) ultrawide — as well as a front-facing 13MP camera for selfies and such. It has a bright 6.1-inch OLED (2400 x 1080, 429ppi) display with a 90Hz refresh rate. At $499, the Pixel 7a is priced to compete with Samsung's Galaxy A54. But before you decide which of these budget phones is best, you'll want to check out our Google Pixel 7a review. 

Google Pixel Tablet: Google teased us about a tablet at last year's I/O before giving us a full-on preview in the fall. And now, we know how much it costs and when it will be released: It's a very reasonable $499 — which includes the magnetic docking station — and is currently available for preorder; it will ship this month, too. 

Other Google hardware teasers: We were hoping for teasers of the Pixel 8 and the Pixel Watch 2, but sadly neither made an appearance at the show.

It's tempting to think of Google I/O as the Android show — after all, this is a developer conference and I/O usually provides a platform where Google can tell app makers all about the changes coming to Android phones via the Android update that's coming later in the year. 

At Google I/O 2023, Android is probably taking a backseat to all the hardware news and AI talk that's going to dominate this year's event. But there's still probably an Android 14 preview in our future. In case you missed it, Richard Priday covered the 5 biggest Android 14 features we hope to hear more about at Google I/O.

Probably the most anticipated announcement at Google I/O figures to be the launch of the Pixel Fold — something Google has already told us will happen via a tweet last week teasing the phone’s release.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the interest in Google’s foldable phone is that it finally means competition for Samsung, which has had the market for the best foldable phones all to itself up until now. Whatever Google announces today will certainly invite comparisons to the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Galaxy Z Fold 5 that’s expected to arrive in a few months time.

You’d think Google would have its work cut out for it, taking on a foldable that’s already up to its fifth generation. Yet, Mark Spoonauer writes that there are some ways the Pixel Fold can beat out the Galaxy Fold — and it all comes down to design and cameras. 

Google has never been particularly good at plugging leaks, especially where its phones are concerned. So it should be no huge surprise that some people got hold of the Pixel 7a early, and posted their initial impressions online.

There's one hands-on video from YouTuber munchy, which goes into great detail about the Pixel 7a and what it has to offer. The hardware nerds out there may also be interested in a complete teardown of the phone from PBKreviews, and focusses on the physical hardware you wouldn't normally see.

There isn't much in these videos we haven't already heard in other leaks. But it does seem to corroborate a number of those rumors, including the 90Hz refresh rate and the size of the Pixel 7a's battery. Though there do appear to be a number of inconsistencies, which suggests Google may still have a few surprises in store for us. But we'll presumably find out more on that later today. 

A safe bet on what’s going to happen at Google I/O is that you will hear the word “Bard” so many times, it will lose all meaning to you by this afternoon.

Google Bard is the search giant’s answer to ChatGPT, and it’s being used for things like answer questions or planning out events, trips and parties. Google seems to be pushing Bard as a natural extension of its search tools, and one of the ways it can do that is by getting more people to use that. If only Google made phones and a mobile operating system that could put Bard in front of more people…

As it turns out, reports have circulated that’s exactly what Google plans on doing — starting with the addition of Bard to Pixel home screens, possibly in the form of a widget. Is that something we could find out about today? It’s going to be a packed Google I/O keynote after all.

A lot of pre-I/O attention has focussed on the Pixel 7a and the Pixel Fold, with good reason. But they aren't the only hardware products we expect to see, since the Pixel Tablet should also make an appearance — and it looks like it's almost ready to be released.

How do we know? Because Amazon Japan jumped the gun, and posted its listing for the tablet a few days early. The listing also revealed the sort of specs we should expect, with the tablet apparently running on the Tensor G2 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, a 10.95-inch LCD display with 2560 x 1600 resolution, and a 27Wh battery. There are also apparently two 8MP cameras (one on the front and back) complete with f/2.0 aperture.

We don't know much about pricing in the United States, but the listing had a 80,000 yen price for Japanese customers. That works our at around $590, but variations in international pricing is a little more complicated than that. We'll no doubt find out more during the I/O keynote later tonight

If you're feeling a little impatient and can't wait for Google to officially announce its upcoming plans for Bard, you're in luck. A bunch of the key details have already leaked detailing most (if not all) of Google's AI-centric I/O announcements.

According to documents seen by CNBC, AI will be a key feature at this year's I/O conference. But we may not hear much about Project Magi, Google's plan to integrate AI with its search engine. Instead the documents detail various upgrades to the Bard AI chatbot and the PaLM 2 large language model that powers the chatbot.

In fact the upgrades could see the integration of multimodal functionality in Bard. That would allow the AI to handle input and output with something other than text — which would be a big step forward. 

One thing we're not quite so sure about for Google I/O 2023 is whether the Pixel Watch 2 will be making an appearance. While the watch itself isn't likely to arrive until later this year, there is a possibility that Google could tease the new smartwatch the same way it did with the first Pixel Watch last year.

We don't know much about the Pixel Watch 2 right now, so any glimpse we get should prove to enlightening — even if it's just to a small degree. We're certainly hoping to see an improved design, with smaller bezels, longer battery life, and more health sensors that can help the wearable compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple.

We’ve seen a lot of different Pixel Fold images out there, to the point where we know that Google’s adopting a similar design to the Galaxy Z Fold from Samsung — the phone will open up to reveal a larger screen, much like a book. Of course, rumors suggest Google has found a thinner design that makes its Fold a bit easier to carry around.

To give you an idea of what this might look, leaker Evan Blass has posted an image of a fully opened Pixel Fold. With the caveat that these images can be processed within an inch of their life, the lack of a noticeable crease is… intriguing. 

Just because Google I/O is just hours away hasn't stopped the leaks from hitting the net. In fact there have been a bunch of last minute leaks showing off a bunch of stuff that will stop being interesting once the keynote presentation begins. 

Like this alleged promo video from OnLeaks, showing off what looks like the Pixel 7a from every angle. It seems to be an official marketing video direct from Google itself, albeit with French captions. Nothing in the video is a major surprise, given the sheer amount of leaks we've seen already, but if you want an official-looking glimpse at the Pixel 7a ahead of launch, this video is your chance.

Google clearly has big plans for Bard, based on some of the leaks we've heard, but it could also be making the leap to Android homescreens. As with so many other new features, word is that this will kick off with Google's own Pixel phones.

According to a report from 9to5Google, based on code in the latest Android app APK, it looks like Google could launch a homescreen widget with direct access to Bard. The report claims this will be a Pixel exclusive "at the start", but it may not stay that way for long. After all if google wants Bard to succeed in the face of competition from ChatGPT and Bing AI, it's going to need to find a way to get users engaged.

Unfortunately we don't know what else will be involved with this widget, and whether it could offer more than one-tap access to Bard. Hopefully things will be elaborated on during the I/O keynote later tonight.

If the leaked Pixel 7a promo wasn't enough for you, then maybe this leaked Pixel Fold promo will help satiate your appetite for Googly news. Believe it or not this one was posted on the official Google Pixel Twitter account, though it's not clear whether this was deliberate or some sort of mistake.

Regardless of how the video ended up online, it's the contents that are more interesting. Apparently Google will be partnering with the NBA, and this video is designed to advertise that partnership — as well as the features and capabilities of Google's first foldable phone.

It also gives us a good look at the phone's design, including its super slim profile, camera bar and the unfortunately chunky bezel around the inner display. 

We're also expecting Android 14 to be a major topic of discussion during the I/O keynote presentation, alongside some of the new features that should be coming to Android phones in the next few months. 

We already know about some of those features, thanks to the Android 14 beta, but there are a few more we're expecting to see during the I/O keynote later today. That includes the rumored split ringtone and notification volume sliders,  a predictive back gesture, app cloning, and more details about passkeys — the latest attempt to ditch passwords, the split ringtone

Of course with the expected launch of the Google Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet, we want Google to talk more about its work optimizing apps for larger screens. Because that's something it hasn't done a great job of in the past.

While a lot of focus is on the Pixel 7a and the Pixel Fold, they may not be the only smartphones on show at Google I/O 2023. In fact, if last year is anything to go by, we may end up getting our first look at the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro — which we're expecting will formally launch sometime this fall.

Despite the fact the phones aren't going to arrive for a few months, we might have already learned some key details about both phones. Case renders suggest that the trademark Pixel camera bars are here to stay, though the Pro may end up ditching the curved display in favor of a flat one. Then of course there's the Tensor G3 chipset, which might unlock even more AI-centric features — including video unblur.

Don't expect much to be announced today, since the most we're likely to get is a quick look at the design. But it is one more thing to get excited about.

Should Google reveal a Pixel 7a today, the new budget phone is going to invite inevitable comparisons to Samsung’s Galaxy A54. What’s the Galaxy A54, you’re asking? Better read our Samsung Galaxy A54 to familiarize yourself with why the Pixel 7a has such a high bar to clear.

The Galaxy A54 costs $449, the same amount Google charged for the Pixel 6a. Samsung’s phone has a display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and it’s adopted the main camera used by the Galaxy S23. We actually think it takes better pictures than the Pixel 6a now, as you can see for yourself in our Galaxy A54 vs. Pixel 6a camera face-off.

Cameras are such a big part of the Pixel A series identity, that we’re eager to see how Google answers the Galaxy A54. Word is Google has a camera improvement of its own planned for the Pixel 7a, so we’re interested to find out if that rumor is true.

We're now just three hours away from Google I/O 2023 and news has currently slowed to a trickle. So let's take a moment to recap some of the exciting phone leaks we have seen in the lead-up to Google's big day.

First, there's already hands-on footage for the Google Pixel 7a, a phone that hasn't even launched yet. Check out this YouTube video to see the new budget Android phone from every angle.

And speaking of videos, Google accidentally leaked a Google Pixel Fold promo on the official Google Pixel Twitter account. The video has since been pulled, but check out our coverage of the Fold leak to see this sneak peek of Google's first foldable.

Google Bard is expected to get quite a few updates and upgrades today, with the highlight being rumored multimodal capabilities. This is when you can feed the AI chatbot images or videos instead of just text (or vice versa). We've seen some previews of this in GPT-4 and Bing Chat and it's clearly the next big thing in AI.

But for the moment, Bard is pretty limited in what it can do. Still, we've given the Google chatbot a few tests to see what it is capable of. 

So if you want to see what Bard can do now, check out our Bing with ChatGPT vs Bard face-off. And if you want to test out the chatbot yourself before I/O, make sure to look at our guide on how to use Google Bard.

We have a new Pixel Fold leak!

SnoopyTech on Twitter has posted a new Google Pixel Fold promotional video that looks like it's a leak of an official Google promo. The video touts several features of Google's first foldable phone, including multitasking, a lay-flat foldable screen and the ability to display at multiple angles for optimal viewing. It also makes the bold claim of being the "thinnest foldable," which officially puts Samsung on notice.

And that's not all the video teases. While the video shows off multitasking on multiple screens, the fine print claims that dual-screen support won't come until Fall 2023. But the biggest news might be that we may finally have a release date. according to this leak, the Pixel Fold will finally be available on June 27. Stay tuned for the official announcement later today.

Tom's Guide has officially arrived at I/O. We will have multiple staff members on-site at I/O to bring you all the latest news and updates today. So make sure to stay tuned to us here and on Twitter throughout the day.

Well, we thought news had slowed to a trickle but now it's a downpour. We have yet another Google promotional video leak — and this time it's the Google Pixel Tablet.

The leaked video comes yet again from SnoopyTech, though this one sadly doesn't include a release date. Instead, it highlights the versatility of the Tablet, which lives on an included speaker dock when it's not in your hand. The video also promises HD-quality video calls and the ability to transfer content between your Pixel devices.

While the Tablet's speaker dock looks great, I can't say the same for the chunky bezels on the Pixel Tablet. I'm sure the tablet will still look great, but giving up some bezel for a bit more screen size would have been a welcome sight. Maybe the next generation will slim things down a bit.

If Google wants to dethrone the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold as king of the foldables, it's going to need to do a couple of things. Luckily, we already thought of three ways the Pixel Fold can beat the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 5.

The biggest thing would be a tougher, thinner design. Based on the leaked promotional video we just saw, the thin part seems to be locked down if the Pixel Fold truly is the "thinnest foldable." But it remains to be seen how the hinge holds up  — though it's reported to be the "most durable hinge on a foldable."

Aside from that, the big upgrades we'd like to see are a camera that can hold up with the best camera phones and a more usable outer display. Personally, the cameras on foldables are a big reason I haven't made the switch, so I'll definitely be keeping an eye on what the Pixel Fold brings to the table.

Hello from inside the Shoreline Amphitheater! Google I/O is just about an hour away and we are ready to see what Google unveils today. Make sure to follow along here and on our social media accounts — including TikTok!

Philip Michaels here, live from Mountain View. Thanks to my colleagues Tom Pritchard and Malcolm McMillan for keeping our Google I/O 2023 live blog going while I made it through security to my seat at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. 

This is my vantage point for the rest of the day, and a view of the venue about an hour ahead of showtime. Don't let the empty seats fool you, though — there's a big crowd of Google I/O attendees and developers outside about to be let in to fill the lower bowl of the amphitheatre.

This is the 15th anniversary of Google I/O, incidentally, and Google is marking the occasion with a post on the history of its developer conference. Even if that sort of thing doesn't intrigue you, at least you can learn the origin story behind the I/O name to thrill on-lookers at your next party or get-together.

If you need some last-minute leaks to whet your appetite ahead of the Google I/O keynote, leaker Yogesh Brar tweeted out some first impressions of the Pixel 7a. Based on the tweet, it sounds like the Pixel 7a shares a lot in common with the Pixel 7, right down to the performance. (Not surprising, since both phones are supposed to have a Tensor G2 chip inside.) 

Brar also confirms that rumor about the 90Hz refresh rate on the Pixel 7a's display. "Bright & Fluid," he tweets.

We've got a full account of those Pixel 7a hands-on impressions, along with a leaked video apparently showing off a TV ad for the new phone.

If you want another hint that we're probably going to see hardware at Google I/O, here's a possible clue I spotted upon arriving at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. At past I/Os here, Google has roped off a section outside the main stage as a press area where we can file our reports from the event. That areas back this year — but it was roped off prior to the keynote and we were told it won't open up until afterward.

My best guess? That's going to be a demo area for whatever hardware Google announces, which right now we're anticipating to certainly be the Pixel Fold and probably include the Pixel 7a and Pixel Tablet. 

Or I'm completely wrong, and that area's closed off because there's just a really good post-keynote lunch spread being assembled.

We're obviously focused on the new hardware and the likely Bard announcements, plus whatever Android 14 news comes our way. But apparently we'll be getting some ChromeOS updates during this keynote, too, if the tweet from Google for Developers is anything to go by.

Top Pixel 7a rumors include a 90Hz display, wireless charging, a Tensor G2 chipset and a much improved camera setup. "Doesn't that sound a lot like the Pixel 7?" you may be wondering. And you are correct — based on the Pixel 7a rumors, the new phone could be very similar to the Pixel 7 Google released last fall.

Find out just how similar in our Google Pixel 7a vs. Pixel 7 comparison based on what we know headed into the keynote.

Just so you can feel like you're here in Mountain View, here's the Google I/O preshow featuring AI-generated video and Bard-suggested visualizations.

Google's CEO checks in ahead of the start of Google I/O keynote. Also, I told you that amphitheatre would fill in prior to the keynote.

Yes, that's a duck with lips dancing on stage prior to the Google I/O keynote. Yes, it makes sense in context. Just go with it.

More pre-show shenanigans, posted by Kate Kozuch, who's sitting right behind me.

And we're underway, with a video preroll where Google says that it's goal is to make AI helpful for everyone. 

"AI is having a very busy year," Sundai Pichai says. "So let's get started."

We start with Gmail, and a recap of features like Smart Reply and Smart Compose, which both use AI to auto-generate emails.

The next step is Help Me Write. An example is you get an email after a cancelled flight offering you a voucher. You can use Help Me Write to compose a letter that asks for a refund instead, pulling in flight information and other data.

Maps is next up. Google is adding Immersive View for routes that shows you your entire planned trip in advance. Once you select a route, Immersive View shows you a birds eye view of the route. (Pichai is showing a bike ride, but presumably this works for driving and walking, too.) You can also see how whether is going to change over time.

It's launching in 15 cities by the end of the year, with a rollout beginning over the summer.

And now Google Photos and AI. You've already seen examples of this with Magic Eraser. A new version called Magic Editor is coming later this year.

Not only can you use AI to erase unwanted objects, but you can also edit and adjust photos more easily, changing the lighting and even the perspective of the shot.

For the record, it took 9 minutes of the keynote to make me uncomfortable with what Google's proposing with AI.

Anyhow, Magic Editor is coming to Photos later this year.

"Making AI helpful for everyone is the most important way we can advance our mission," Pichai says. This will happen in four ways

• improve knowledge and learning

• boost creativity

• do it responsibly

• make sure it's equal for all.

As expected, Google is introducing PaLM 2, its new language module platform. There are four models, the first of which is Gecko, which can work on devices that are offline. The example Pichai is using involves debugging and coding.

Now we're talking about Gemini, which is a multi-modal tool that's not yet available. 

Google is detailing ways to do AI responsibly, which includes watermarking synthetically-generated images. Metadata can also provide more information, and Google's going to ensure all its synthetic images have clear metadata.

Bard is now running on PaLM 2, which means its math, logic and reasoning skills have leapt forward.It can participate in code generation and debugging, and it's learned 20-plus programming languages. In fact, coding has become one of the most popular things people have been using Bard for.

Here's a closer look at Maps and Immersive View for your routes.

Back to Bard: Tools are coming to Bard that will let you tap into extensions. This will start with Google apps. In the next few weeks, Bard is becoming more visual both in responses and prompts.

Ask for the must-see sights in New Orleans, for example, and you'll get images of those sights along with text.

Google Lens' capabilities are coming to Bard in the coming months. Upload a picture of your dogs, and Bard can generate funny captions. I don't think the WGA writers on strike have anything to worry about based on the examples that flashed on the screen.

Pretty cool example of using Bard to do research on colleges that can show the findings on Google Maps and then import that information into Google Sheets so that everyone can review your findings.

Third-party integration with Bard is coming, too.

Bard is now open to 180 countries and territories. No more wait list. And Japanese and Korean language support is coming, too.

In fact, Google says it's on track to support 40 languages soon.

Time to talk about Google Workspaces and the ways AI is improving those products. Help Me Write is already a part of Docs and Gmail, and people have been using it in creative ways, Google says. The example we're seeing involves generating a job description using Help Me Write that you can then post on a job site.

The AI extends to Sheets, too, where AI generates a table for a dog-walking business that can schedule appointments, complete with client information.

Trusted tested are going to be able to try these AI-powered features across the Workspace apps in a few months.

Intrigued by PaLM 2 and want to find out more? Here's our PaLM 2 explainer.

There's a tool called Duet AI, which features a Sidekick for Workspaces where you can use AI prompts to write notes or create presentations. Say you forget to prepare speaker notes for a presentation. You can use the Sidekick prompt to auto-generate speaker notes for each slide. You can insert and edit to convey what you intended. So it's a feature that's clearly intended as a collaborator and time-saver.

We're moving on to search and the potential of adding generative AI to Google's search offerings. Google is showing off an integrated search page, highlighted by an AI-generated snapshot that summarizes findings. Links are included in the snapshot to drill down. And there are links further down the page that highlight portions of the AI-generated search results.

Google says generative AI will makes searches "smarter and simpler." 

Here's an example: a search for a good bike with a five-mile radius that's good on hills. The ensuing results pull from Google's Shopping Graph, producing what Google says are fresh relevant, results. Those appear right below the AI-generated summary.

A conversational mode can let you ask follow-up questions.

From Twitter, my colleague Mark Spoonauer has some thoughts on what we're seeing from Google here.

Think of all this as "search super-charged," the Google executive on stage tells us.

While Google highlights Google Cloud's role in AI — frankly outside of the scope of our coverage — here's a closer look at how Help Me Write can generate complaint letters on your behalf.

More talk of some business-focused Google Cloud news gives us the chance to share some more videos of the features Google's already talked about. Here's a look at Google search with generative AI and follow-up questions.

As we begin our second hour of AI Talk, we're now looking at how PaLM 2 can be used by developers. The PaLM API is being integrated into Firebase and Colab. 

We're getting a live demo of Project Tailwind, an AI-powered work and study prototype. "It's helpful for anyone synthesizing information from different sources that you choose," the Google executive says.

Google is talking social responsibility for AI and among the questions they ask themselves are "Will it be socially beneficial?" and "Could it lead to harm in any way?" Apparently, Google is adding ways to check the veracity of images. The company is also citing the metadata it mentioned earlier. 

It's good that Google is looking at ways to minimize the spread of bad information — especially if its tools make that more possible — but we'll have to see just how effective Google's efforts are to make sure AI isn't missused.

And now we're turning to Android. You can start paying attention again, consumers.

First, though, we are getting a look at AI's role in Android, which includes a recap of how AI is used to protect Android users from spam messages and calls.

We're going to look at Android's ecosystem of devices, starting with tablets and watches. Tablets, first, as Google talks about how it's optimizing app for larger screen devices. (Included in there was a teaser for the Pixel Tablet — your day is coming, friend.)

As for watches, Wear OS will see a native version of Whatsapp this summer. 

Find My Device is getting a update to support more devices. Leave your earbuds at the gym and other nearby Android devices can help find them via the Find My Device network. Makers of key trackers are participating in this effort, too.

Google is introducing Unknown Tracker Alerts, to let you know when a tracker your phone doesn't recognize is reporting on your location.

These changes are coming later this summer.

An update on RCS — there are now 800 million people using it. There should be 1 billion later this year. This is a shout-out to Apple to adopt RCS so that everyone can message each other, and those hateful green bubbles finally disappear.

Android customization is getting a does of generative AI as well. In Messages, you can tap a message and then choose how you want to sound — your message is then tweaked by AI to fit that mood. (Could be handy if you've ever wanted to text in iambic pentameter, as apparently, there's a Shakespeare option.)

Lock screen clocks are getting more customization features, and there's a lock screen shortcut coming that will help that out. Emoji wallpaper is coming where you pick your favorite emojis to generate your own customized wallpaper, picking patterns and colors as well.

There's other examples of using AI to generate wallpapers — prompt your phone to create something from "photos of city by the bay in a post-impressionist style" for stylized San Francisco shots. That's coming in the fall, which would seem to imply it's an Android 14 feature.

And now here's Rick Osterloh, so we're about to see some hardware after a brief recap of the Tensor G2 chip that came out last fall and brings on-device, personalized AI to mobile. Among the highlights are Direct My Call for managing phone calls, Pixel's Recorder app and its ability to recognize different speakers, and the AI-driven photo processing features of Pixel device cameras.

Flash back to the Magic Editor feature coming out later this year — that's going to be available to Pixel phone users first, apparently

We've got a hardware announcement — the Pixel 7a. It's got the Tensor G2 chip, 8GB of RAM and a 72% bigger main camera sensor among other features.

It's available today, and it'll cost $499. That's $50 more than the Pixel 6a. Buy it from the Google Store and you can pick an exclusive Coral color from the three colors that will be available to everyone else.

But what about larger screen devices? Let's talk about the Pixel Tablet, which we've seen at past Google events. But to recap — 11-inch display, premium aluminum enclosure, and a Tensor G2 chip, among other features. Tensor has been optimized for video calling and photo editing, both features you'll appreciate on a tablet.

The tablet is getting a charging speaker doc, so that your tablet has a home when it's not in use. Basically when docked, it's a smart screen where you can display pictures, play music and control smart home devices. But you can unlock it, too, and get access to Android apps.

Pixel Tablet also has Chromecast built-in, so you can cast things from your phone to your tablet and watch from the dock or on the go.

There's a case, too, with a built-in stand. You can dock with the Pixel Tablet inside the case, too.

There are three Pixel Tablet colors. You can order it today, and it costs $499. That price includes the charging stand.

Rick Osterloh is back to talk about foldables. It's exciting to see foldables take off, and see how Android is driving that, he says.

So Google has its own foldable now — the Google Pixel Fold. It's a Tensor G2-powered phone that unfolds into a tablet. You've got a front display and a larger 7.6-inch interior screen that Osterloh calls our "thinnest phone yet." That's with the device unfolded, obviously.

Gorilla Glass Victus and IP68 water resistance provide the durability assurances. Google's also touting the zoom lens as the best zoom on a foldable, and points out that you can partially open up the phone to have it act as its own tripod. It's the "best foldable camera system," Osterloh says, while Samsung undoubtedly pouts.

I'm intrigued by the dual interpreter mode that Google is touting for the Pixel Fold, which seems to use the multiple screens to have you carry on a conversation in real-time with someone in another language. Foldable phones need to justify their reason for existing and this is a big step toward doing that.

We're also getting a look at how apps can take advantage of the expanded interior screen, with apps running side by side, a split screen keyboard and a tabletop mode (think of Samsung's Flex mode) where playback is on one half of the screen and controls are on the other.

Yes, we can see a crease in that Pixel Fold screen.

You can preorder Pixel Fold today. It ships next month. Rick Osterloh specifically didn't mention the $1,799 price, but preorder the foldable and you get a Pixel Watch, so there's that.

And Sundar Pichai returns to wrap up a two-hour, AI-heavy affair. I'm sure there will be more to say about these assorted products, so don't close the tab on this keynote just yet.

Who wants to read a Pixel 7a review? I know I would.

Our Google Pixel Fold hands-on review is live, and this is an impressive first foldable phone from Google. It's the world's thinnest foldable, and Google claims the 180-degree fluid friction hinge is the most durable on the market. We also love the wide front display that's easy to use and the multiple usage modes, including, tablet, tent and tabletop.

In short, this is one versatile foldable phone, but it's also $1,799. And we're not fans of the large bezels. See our first impressions for much more info. 

While the I/O keynote saw the announcement of WhatsApp for Wear OS, Google buried the lead: Wear OS 4 was confirmed via a blog post on The Keyword. The new software version is becoming available to developers, and promises battery life improvements among other user-facing improvements compared to Wear OS 3.

Our Google Pixel Fold video hands-on is live on YouTube. See my hands-on impressions!

Here's the gist. The Pixel Fold shines with its wide front display and super thin design. I also like the multiple usage modes — include tablet top and tent — and the 7.6-inch main display is great if you want a mini tablet in your pocket.

Just watch out for the big bezels and the very big $1,799 price. 

Google's new mid-range phone had barely made it debut and already we're seeing multitude of Pixel 7a deals. However, while many carriers are offering it for free, one carrier is sweetening its deal by offering six free months of service. 

For a limited time, you can get the Minto Mobile is offering the Pixel 7a with 6 free months of service  when you buy the phone with a 6-month plan. Upfront, you'll pay $399 for the phone ($100 off) and you'll also get 12 months of unlimited data for just $180 (normally $360). It's a killer deal for anyone looking to save on both hardware and data.  

The Pixel 7a is Google's best new budget phone. It's powered by Google's current-gen Tensor G2 CPU and Titan M2 security chip. The phone also boasts Face Unlock, 8GB of RAM, up to 90Hz Smooth Display, and now supports wireless charging. It's one of the best cheap phones you can buy. 

In our Google Pixel 7a review, we said it's not your usual budget phone as Google seems to have packed in as many capabilities as possible — to the point where you'd be hard-pressed to spot the differences between the Pixel 7a and the costlier Pixel 7.

Meanwhile, Mint Mobile is an MVNO that operates on T-Mobile's network. Since T-Mobile is a GSM-based network, you're going to want a GSM-based phone to use at Mint Mobile. Like most prepaid wireless networks, Mint Mobile does make some compromises to offer that cheaper price. Customer support isn't always readily available and you don't always get the best possible data speeds. That said, if you can put up with occasionally slowed-down data and having to go to community forums to solve some problems on your own, Mint shouldn't let you down.

This is one of the best deals we've seen from the carrier. Make sure to check out our guide to the best Mint Mobile plans for more details on the service and its plans and our Mint Mobile coupons for more great offers.

Google has finally lifted the veil off its first foldable phone. Unfortunately, Google Pixel Fold preorders are being delayed by Google with dates pushed as far back as July 7. In fact, if you try to preorder via the Google Store you'll note shipments pushed back into the first week of August. The device was originally slated to ship in June. 

Announced alongside the Pixel 7a, the new Pixel Fold costs $1,799. It's Google's latest flagship phone sporting a 7.6-inch internal display and a 5.8-inch outer display. When closed, its exterior screen will let you respond to messages or browse Chrome. When opened, the larger screen provides a more immersive, tablet-like experience for streaming shows or playing games. The Pixel Fold's design also lets you use the device in tabletop mode, so you can sit back and relax while you watch or record content — all without the help of a tripod. 

Note that AT&T, Verizon, and the Google Store are now offering Pixel Fold preorders. In the coming days, we could see more preorder deals from both carriers and retailers alike. We'll update this page with the latest deals as they're announced. Don't forget to take advantage of Google's excellent trade-in bonuses too.

Pixel Fold preorders 

Pixel Fold — what do you get?

The Pixel Fold is unlike any other Pixel phone. Like its Galaxy Z Fold 4 rival, the Pixel Fold unfolds in a book-like fashion. But the similarities end there. Google claims the Pixel Fold has the thinnest profile of any foldable. It measures just 6.2 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches when open (158.7 x 139.7 x 5.8 mm), whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 4 measures 6.11 x 5.12 x 0.25 inches (155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm). When closed, the Pixel Fold is 5.5 x 3.1 x 0.5 inches compared to 6.1 x 2.6 x 0.55-0.62 inches for the Z Fold 4. 

The Pixel Fold's front display also stands out amongst the competition. The 5.8-inch OLED cover display uses a fairly wide aspect ratio of 17.4:9 (compared to 21.6:18 for Samsung), which makes for a less cramped experience when using the device closed. The always-on OLED panel also supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate. The fuller 7.6-inch display has a resolution of 2208 x 1840 pixels and also goes up to 120Hz refresh.  

With 4th of July sales around the corner, there's a small chance we'll see more Pixel Fold preorder deals in the days to come. Make sure to follow our coverage for the latest deals. 

There are plenty of Google Pixel 7a deals available this month. The budget-friendly Pixel 7a costs $499, which is $50 pricier than its predecessor, the Pixel 6a. However, to offset the price increase, Google has packed its new phone with many features previously not found in Google's A-series phones.  

For instance, the Pixel 7a is powered by Google's current-gen Tensor G2 CPU and Titan M2 security chip. The phone also boasts Face Unlock, 8GB of RAM, up to 90Hz Smooth Display, and now supports wireless charging. It's already earned a spot in our list of the best cheap phones you can buy today. 

We're now seeing Google Pixel 7a deals from carriers and retailers alike. We'll update this page with the latest deals as they're announced.  

Best Google Pixel 7a deals 

Google Pixel 7a — what's new?

Google has made a lot of big upgrades to its Pixel 7a phone. It features a 6.1-inch OLED display, Tensor 2 CPU with Titan M2 security chip, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Pixel phones tend to dominate our list of the best camera phones and the Pixel 7a will likely follow that tradition. 

The phone's main 64MP camera features a 72% larger sensor than the Pixel 6a and it also comes with a new 13MP ultrawide camera lens. The Pixel 7a now supports Long Exposure, a cool feature that turns moving objects into attractive blurs while the rest of the image stays still. Meanwhile, the front camera packs a 13MP lens with support for Face Unlock.

With Memorial Day sales around the corner, there's a good chance we'll see some aggressive Pixel 7a deals in the days to come. 

Sorry Aussies — following months of hype and a near-constant stream of leaks, it's been revealed that Google's highly anticipated Pixel Fold will not be launching in Australia, and has yet to receive any sort of Aussie release window for the future.

The search giant revealed the news to us under strict embargo in a Google I/O 2023 pre-briefing last week, stating that Australia is "not included in the select list of countries at launch."

Given that a local release of the Pixel Fold isn't currently on the cards, Google's Australian arm was unable to go into any further detail regarding the company's first foldable in our briefing, opting instead to focus on the new products we are getting, the Google Pixel 7a and the Google Pixel Tablet.

This isn't the first time Google has skipped Australia when rolling out a new device — Aussies also missed out on the Google Pixel 5a back in 2021. In that instance, the phone never actually made it Down Under, with the search giant ultimately opting to only release it in the US and Japan. Thankfully, we did receive its follow-up, the Google Pixel 6a, in 2022.

Of course, that precedent doesn't mean an Australian release of the Pixel Fold is entirely off the table — it's possible that us Aussies may end up getting Google's first foldable later in the year, though all we can do is wait and see at this stage.

Best Google Pixel Fold alternatives

While Google has decided not to launch the Pixel Fold in Australia, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on getting a foldable smartphone. Though the category is relatively young, there are a number of folding devices that are readily available for purchase in Australia. Here are the best foldable phones we've tested (and one we haven't had the chance to test yet) which could prove a good alternative to the Pixel Fold.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4: "The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a fine evolution of the best foldable phone. And there are times I can see myself ditching my current smartphone for this beast. It can multitask like no other phone, and I can simply get more done in less time on the latest Fold versus my iPhone." Read our full review.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: "The Galaxy Z Flip 4, much like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, doesn’t have a huge suite of changes. This year, Samsung focused on incremental improvements, such as the new hinge design and slightly larger battery. The flatter edges clean up the look, and the new chipset makes this one powerful little phone. Read our full review.

Oppo Find N2 Flip: "As things stand now though, the Find N2 Flip has brought us the next big evolution of the Galaxy Z Flip 4's clamshell-style foldable design, and everything works together excellently." Read our hands-on review.

Motorola Razr (2022): "The Moto Razr 2022 looks like a serious Galaxy Z Flip 4 competitor, though we'll need to confirm that for ourselves." Read more about it here.

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The rumors were true, Google is developing its own version of Apple’s “Find My” network to help you locate lost devices. The company officially announced the “Find My Device” network at Google I/O 2023, and confirmed some of the long-overdue features that will be coming along for the ride.

Coming later this summer, the Find My Device network is, as the name suggests, a way to hunt down lost devices. That includes phones, tablets, earbuds and third party Bluetooth trackers — with Tile and Chipolo support confirmed on stage.

Google’s Find My Device network utilizes the many Android phones around the world to help find stuff. It sounds similar to how iPhones are used in Apple’s Find My network. That means lost devices will ping nearby Android devices, letting you track down their location with more accuracy than third-party tracking networks can offer.

Google also says that the Find My Device network has been built with privacy in mind, which may explain why it’s taken so long to get here. That means Google has no idea where your devices are at any given time, while also ensuring you can detect any rogue devices in your vicinity.

As I’ve complained about multiple times over the past several months, Android users have had few protections from tracker-based stalking. The new Find My Device network finally does something about that problem helping you identify and locate unknown trackers that may be following you around.

Google also reiterated that it was working with Apple to employ a new industry standard for trackers. All to protect users from people who may exploit trackers for nefarious purposes.

There’s no word on how the Find My Device network will roll out, especially on non-Google phones. Android doesn’t have the best record with big updates like this after all. All Google said was that it would arrive this summer. Here’s hoping it can roll out quickly, given how important this feature is.

Don’t forget to check out our Google I/O 2023 live blog for our ongoing coverage of the event, and all the new devices that are being announced.

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Google I/O 2023 is going heavy on AI, and it seems like artificial intelligence will be infiltrating every Google service under the sun. Google Maps is no exception, with AI coming to help blend navigation with Google’s new Immersive View.

Immersive View first debuted at Google I/O 2022, and offered a 3D flyover view of various cities around the world. Immersive View for Routes, as this new feature is being called, brings Google Maps’ core feature into the mix. 

So rather than being stuck viewing your upcoming trips from a birds-eye view of the map, you go into a 3D visualization of the areas you’ll be traveling through. It’s not quite street level, as you’d experience using Google Street View, but it's as close as you can get without losing your route.

That visualization will be able to show more than just a 3D view of the streets too. Google revealed that you will be able to integrate traffic, weather and air quality data on Immersive View for Routes. Then, depending on your travel time, Immersive View for Routes will adapt to show you a visualization of what conditions will be like when you’re traveling.

Immersive View for Routes will work with driving, walking and cycling directions. The feature itself is set to launch this summer, and will be available in 15 cities before the end of the year. Those cities include London, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo, but other locations have yet to be confirmed.

Be sure to check out our Google I/O 2023 live blog for all the latest news and updates from the conference.

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Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that access to Bard is still prohibited in Canada and the E.U.

Google Bard just got some serious upgrades from Google — and it's now available to everyone.

Vice President at Google and General Manager for Google Assistant and Bard, Sissie Hsiao just announced several updates to Google's ChatGPT competitor, but none probably as big as removing the waitlist for the Google chatbot. That means Bard is now available in over 180 countries, and you can even join with a Workspace account instead of your personal Google account.

But that's not the only change to Google Bard that was announced at I/O 2023. Here's everything that's changing now — as well as some changes announced by Google that are coming soon.

No more waitlist for Google Bard

The big headline, of course, is that the Bard waitlist has been ended. Now, users in 180 countries can access Google Bard, so you should check out our guide on how to use Google Bard and test it out for yourself. What's more, is that Bard is no longer limited to just English. Users can now interact with Bard in Japanese and Korean as well.

Update: Unfortunately, some countries are still left off the list. Canada and the European Union are still ineligible for Bard access. This could be down to regulatory concerns, given that ChatGPT was temporarily banned in Italy over privacy concerns. You can see the full list of eligible countries on Google's support site.

In other accessibility news, Google Bard is getting a Dark theme — which this writer will be using immediately. Dark theme is much easier on the eyes, so that's a win for those of us who stare at a screen all day.

Finally, Bard is getting some performance upgrades right away. Google is introducing export capabilities to Google Docs and Gmail, allowing Bard's creations to keep their formatting if you want to move them to a document or email.

Even more Bard updates coming soon

While it's nice to see some upgrades right away, the big stuff is what is coming soon. With PaLM 2, the AI chatbot has already seen improved performance with coding and mathematics. Now, it's going to get a lot more.

First, Bard is getting improved citations starting next week. Whether citing a line of code or other content in its text responses, Bard will annotate the material that needs citing. If you click the annotation, Bard will then underline the cited part and provide a link to the source material. 

Then there are a few features coming soon. The export feature will also allow users to export Python code through Replit in the near future. Bard will also increase its language support from three languages — English, Japanese and Korean — to 40 languages.

But the biggest change is multimodal functionality. We've already seen multimodal functionality teased in GPT-4 and Microsoft's Bing Chat, and now PaLM 2 is bringing it to Bard. This allows users to ask prompts such as “What are some must-see sights in New Orleans?” and get back responses that include images in addition to text. It also allows users to do the reverse, with Bard now able to work with Google Lens to upload images into Bard and have Bard respond using text. This multimodal functionality is the next big feature in generative AI and it's good to see Google Bring it to Bard.

Google Bard extensions — Bard gets Adobe integrations

One other feature that is coming soon is Google Bard extensions. Some will come from Google apps and services such as Google Docs, Google Drive and Gmail, but others will come from outside companies.

And the first third-party extensions are both coming from Adobe. First, there is Adobe Firefly, which will allow users to create AI-generated images directly in Bard AI. This is similar to Microsoft's Bing Image Generator, which uses OpenAI's DALL•E 2 AI image generator.

But the Adobe integrations don't stop there. Once you have your Firefly-generated images, you'll be able to edit them further in Adobe Express. Extensions beyond Adobe's Bard extensions are expended to come as Bard grows. Google has tipped them to come from Google partners such as "Kayak, OpenTable, ZipRecruiter, Instacart, Wolfram and Khan Academy."

What else to expect from Google AI at I/O 2023

Aside from Google Bard, we already saw Google announce PaLM 2 — its new AI model that's aimed at competing with OpenAI's GPT-4 model that currently powers paid versions of ChatGPT.

And thanks to a leak right before I/O we also expect Google to expand its generative AI capabilities in Workspace apps, including “template generation in Sheets and image generation in its Slides and Meet products.” This comes on the heels of similar generative AI features being introduced to Gmail and Google Docs earlier this year.

We should know more as AI products and developments are announced. So make sure to stay tuned to our Google I/O 2023 coverage so you don’t miss any of the official announcements from Google.

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We now know the AI model powering the future of Google Bard — PaLM 2.

At Google I/O today (May 10), Google CEO Sunda Pichai announced Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM 2). It will be the AI large language model (LLM) behind a whole suite of Google AI products, including the Bard chatbot. 

PaLM 2 will be a direct competitor to OpenAI's GPT-4 model, which currently powers paid versions of ChatGPT and Microsoft's Bing AI. This model promises to be the building block for Google's AI products, serving as a massive general LLM with expanded reasoning, language and coding capabilities. 

It can then be further fine-tuned into smaller LLMs to develop specialized AI tools. This is something that has already been done with Med-PaLM 2, a medical diagnostic AI tool, and Sec-PaLM, an IT security threat detection AI tool. PaLM 2 has four submodels (from largest to smallest): Unicorn, Bison, Otter and Gecko. 

So with that, here's everything we know so far about PaLM 2, Google's new AI model.

PaLM 2: What's new

Google is setting up PaLM 2 to be the fundamental AI model behind its future AI products. According to Google, PaLM 2 has already been secretly powering Google Bard and has many future integrations planned.

While Google did not lay out how many parameters PaLM 2 is trained on — PaLM was trained on 540 billion language parameters — Google promises that PaLM 2 will have improved capabilities in addition to faster and more efficient performance. 

The first improvement is a serious language boost. PaLM 2 is trained on over 100 languages and is trained to not only literally translate from one language to another but to apply possible context and understand idioms, poems, and riddles as well. This is all aimed at providing a more accurate translation.

PaLM 2 also has increased logical reasoning capabilities over its predecessor. It has been trained on mathematical expressions and scientific journals and can now solve advanced logical problems. It can even explain steps and provide diagrams, meaning it can show its work if its math teacher ever asks.

Finally, PaLM 2 is getting a coding upgrade. The LLM has been trained on over 20 programming languages — including some more specialized ones like Prolog and Fortran — so that it can write and debug code for more users. According to Google, it can even provide documentation explaining what it did in multiple languages, so for programmers, this could be a real improvement.

And this latest AI model could eventually come to Android phones. Gecko is the lightest version of PaLM 2 and can be run as an interactive application, processing 20  tokens per second on the latest phones. 

Google products powered by PaLM 2

In addition to powering Google Bard, PaLM 2 has been deployed across 25 different Google products — many of which most people will use on a daily basis. This includes Android, YouTube, and Workspace apps such as Gmail, Google Docs and more. Whether or not you know it, there's a good chance that if you are interacting with a Google product, it uses PaLM 2.

And as previously mentioned, PaLM 2 can be slimmed down for specific uses. Med-PaLM 2 is a medical diagnostic AI tool that Google has already rolled out, and according to Google, it can perform at an expert level on U.S. medical licensing exams. Then there is also, Sec-PaLM, which is a version of PaLM 2 that Google has slimmed down to detect cybersecurity threats.

What else to expect from Google AI at I/O 2023

Aside from PaLM 2, we are expecting Google Bard to get several upgrades. The day before I/O 2023, Google's AI game plan leaked and it laid out an upgraded version of Google Bard that could have multimodal capabilities.

Google is also expected to expand its generative AI capabilities in Workspace apps, including “template generation in Sheets and image generation in its Slides and Meet products.” This comes on the heels of similar generative AI features being introduced to Gmail and Google Docs earlier this year.

We should know more as AI products and developments are announced. So make sure to stay tuned to our Google I/O 2023 coverage so you don’t miss any of the official announcements from Google.

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If one leaked Google Pixel Fold promo wasn’t enough, you’ll be happy to hear that a second one has hit the web less than three hours before Google I/O 2023 is due to commence. While the last promo was focusing on Google’s partnership with the NBA, this one seems to be all about the foldable.

Like the Pixel 7a promo that hit the net earlier today, this appears to be an official marketing video produced by Google. Only it landed in the hands of leaker SnoopyTech, who promptly posted it on Twitter.

So what does this promo reveal? Not a lot we haven’t already seen, and the design of the phone matches just about every other leak out there — chunky bezels and all. The focus is, of course, that this is a foldable made by Google — complete with all those unfolding features. 

But a quick disclaimer at the bottom of the page reveals that proper dual screen support may not be ready until Fall 2023.

Considering the Pixel Fold is set to launch later today, and is rumored to be going on general sale towards the end of June, that’s not a particularly good look for Google. How bad that situation might be isn’t clear, and we’ll have to wait until the Pixel Fold arrives to see what it can (or can’t) do.

Google is also emphasizing the thickness of the phone, and claims this is the thinnest foldable yet. Which rumors say is true, but only by fractions of an inch. Still, if you’re tired of a chunky Galaxy Z Fold 4, this may be rather appealing to you.

You can follow the latest and best Pixel Fold news over in our Google I/O 2023 live blog, alongside all the other news and announcements from the conference. The keynote presentation kicks off at 1 p.m. ET or 10 a.m. PT.

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Google’s never been particularly good at preventing leaks, and the run-up to Google I/O 2023 has been no exception. With the keynote presentation just hours away, the final leaks are making their way online —including what looks like a promo video for the Google Pixel Fold.

Surprisingly this video comes directly from the Google Pixel Twitter account and seems to be a tie-in between the Pixel Fold and the NBA. It’s not clear why this video was posted ahead of I/O or if it was accidentally posted early, but it hasn’t been deleted yet.

The video itself features a number of NBA stars using the Pixel Fold in a variety of situations. Situations that just so happen to involve the Pixel Fold’s various features. That includes taking selfies with Google Assistant, making video calls, and swapping between the foldable’s cover and inner displays.

It also gives us a very good look at the phone itself, and from a variety of different angles. There are no real surprises if you’ve kept up to date with Pixel Fold rumors, and the design looks virtually identical to renders we’ve seen. That includes the camera bar, the hefty bezel round the inner screen and so on.

While multiple images show off the Pixel Fold with virtually no crease, I did spot a hint of one in this video. But exactly how prominent it will be on a release model isn’t entirely clear, and can't really be determined from the short snippets we see in this promo.

That’s not all, either. An official-looking Google Pixel 7a promo leaked earlier today as well. That shows off various marketing renders of the phone, and shows it in much greater detail than this NBA promo.

But no doubt we’ll be seeing the Pixel Fold equivalent later today during the Google I/O keynote presentation. The show kicks off at 1 p.m. ET, and you can watch the Google I/O live stream to see all the announcements as and when they happen. Or tune into our Google I/O 2023 live blog to see all the latest rumors and news ahead of the announcements.

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Tune in to our Google I/O 2023 live blog for the latest leaks and news as it breaks.

We should be seeing the Google Pixel 7a later today at Google I/O 2023, but if you can't wait that long, some last-minute leaks have revealed important details ahead of time.

Leaker Yogesh Brar has posted hands-on impressions of the Pixel 7a (though we don't know if it's his impressions or someone else's), giving us an initial idea of how these rumored features may actually perform.

Brar praises the premium feel of the device despite its thermoformed plastic back, the smoothness of the new rumored 90Hz display (up from 60Hz), and the alleged 64MP camera, a main camera that's even higher-res than the 50MP sensor used on the flagship Pixel 7 series.

Brar (or his source) is more critical of the Pixel 7a's Tensor G2 chipset, which as we saw in the Pixel 7's review isn't that powerful compared to similar flagship-grade chips, and overheats easily. He also brings up disappointing-sounding five-and-a-half hours of screen-on time, plus sluggish charging, both wired and wireless.

Altogether, it sounds like the Pixel 7a could be strong in the areas that previous Pixels have been - design, display quality and camera quality. It's concerning that battery life may still be weak on the new model, but we'll of course test that for ourselves when we get to try the Pixel 7a for our own review.

Leaked video advertisement

Posting a Pixel 7a hands-on is a pretty big last-minute leak, but it somehow isn't alone. Veteran leaker OnLeaks has seemingly gotten a hold of one of Google's own video adverts, with the French language video hosted by MediaPeanut. Fortunately, you don't need a native speaker's grasp of French to understand the key details. 

The design is, unsurprisingly, very similar to both the Pixel 6a and the Pixel 7, with a metal camera bar dominating the back and a flat display with a central punch-hole on the front. For colors, the video shows four different phones: a black model, a pale blue model and two white models (shown in the image at the top of the page). 

This is confusing since we'd heard there will be a Coral version of the phone, not seen here. However, since the two white models appear to be identical front and back, we have to wonder if this is a generic version of the video that cuts out the Coral colorway, since the rumor adds that this will be a Google Store-exclusive color.

There's also an encouragement to "see in the dark," which promotes the 7a's low-light camera performance, and improve images with Google's existing Photo Unblur (the fun-sounding "Anti-flou" in French) and Magic Eraser. Just before the end of the clip, we also see the Titan M2 security chip too.

Google I/O 2023 is scheduled to begin today at 1 p.m. ET/ 10 a.m. PT/ 6 p.m. BST, with a livestream capturing all of the action for those of us not lucky enough to attend the keynote in Mountain View. You can also keep up with the announcements with our Google I/O liveblog, where we'll be sharing all the details on the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet and more as they're announced.

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• 5 reasons the Pixel Fold will steal the show at Google I/O 2023 
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You'll want to know how to watch Google I/O 2023 and its live stream keynote on Wednesday, May 10. In addition to the usual deep dives into Google's software and a preview of the next big Android update, we're expecting to see new hardware — and lots of it. 

Developer conferences like Google I/O traditionally don't see a lot of product news, but Google turned that notion on its head last year, when we saw previews of new phones and a smartwatch from the company. That trend will continue at Google I/O 2023 — at least according to rumors detailing the company's plans.

In fact, Google has already confirmed that at least one phone will be on the agenda, announcing that the Pixel Fold will show up on May 10 — the same day as Google I/O 2023. So you're going to want to tune in for that preview, at the very least.

Whether it's Google's first foldable device or all the other announcements involving Android and hardware, there's a lot of potential news coming out of Google I/O that you're not going to want to miss. And you won't, if you follow our advice on how to watch the Google I/O 2023 live stream.

What is Google I/O?

Google I/O is Google's annual developer conference, where the people who develop products for Google's various platforms gather to find out about the company's plans, policies and new tools. 

Because Google makes a lot of different things — from Chromebooks to smart home devices — you're likely to hear about any one of a number of platforms. Android typically grabs the spotlight, but past I/O get-togethers have covered Chrome OS, Watch OS, Google search and more. Products like Google Maps, Gmail and other assorted chat clients can come up during the conference, too.

When is Google I/O 2023?

Google I/O 2023 will be held on Wednesday, May 10. This year's event takes place just on that one day, which is a change from the multi-day I/Os of recent years. While Google is hosting I/O as an in-person event at Shoreline Amphitheatre near its Mountain View, Calif., campus, the event is also streaming on the Google I/O website. Anyone who registers for free at that site can live stream Google I/O.

Typically, there's an opening keynote to start Google I/O in which company executives focus on the biggest announcements. Immediately after that opening keynote, there's usually a developer edition, which dives deeper into topics of interest to the developers who attend I/O. Google has confirmed that this is the plan for this year's installment.

How can I watch the Google I/O 2023 live stream?

The Google I/O conference, including the keynote, will be available from the Google I/O website. We imagine the home page of the site will carry the live stream, but you can probably find it in the Watch section, too.

Because Google also owns YouTube, the streaming website hosts the Google I/O keynote as well. You can follow an embedded stream right from this page.

The Google I/O keynote begins at 10 a.m. PT/ 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. BST on Wednesday, May 10. After the first keynote ends, a developer keynote will follow.

What can I expect to see in the Google I/O 2023 live stream?

If you haven't gathered by now, Google I/O keynotes tend to cover a wide array of topics. But we expect a few will get a greater share of the focus for Google I/O 2023.

AI-powered chat tools seem to be on everyone's mind these days, and that includes Google. Google I/O will give the company a chance to talk about Bard, its own chat client, and how that tool can aid other Google products like search, maps and productivity tools. In addition to going over how AI chatbots fit into its own products, you'd imagine Google may take the time to address concerns about the risks some people are citing with AI.

The Android 14 beta debuted last month, and Google I/O 2023 will be the company's first opportunity to give a public preview to a wider audience. Given the outsized role Android has played at past I/O editions, that's likely going to continue this year. We may even get greater clarity on the timeline for Android 14 development, as a finished version is expected toward the end of summer.

The real attention will be on Google's potential hardware news. After the Pixel 6a made its debut at the 2022 developer conference, we expect its successor, the Pixel 7a, to enjoy a similar treatment. That's especially true after Google India posted a teaser tweet suggesting a new phone would be available by May 11. Considering the rumors that indicate the Pixel 7a will go on sale around that time, we think it's pretty clear we're getting at least one new phone from Google.

But what will the Pixel 7a offer? If rumors are accurate, the new budget phone sounds a lot like the Pixel 7, right down to its Tensor G2 chipset. Tipsters also expect the Google 7a to get an upgraded camera setup, a display with a faster refresh rate and wireless charging. All of those things would be serious upgrades over the Pixel 6a, which may explain the rumors that the Pixel 7a will cost more than its predecessor.

The Pixel 6a wasn't the only phone to show up at Google I/O 2022. Last year, Google also gave us a sneak peak at the Pixel 7 to tout that phone's Tensor G2 processor. That doesn't necessarily mean we'll get a sneak peek at the Pixel 8 ahead of this fall's expected launch, but it wouldn't be unprecedented.

We're more likely to see another product Google has already announced at one of its events — the Pixel Tablet. Previewed extensively at last fall's Google hardware event, the Pixel Tablet is expected to offer an 11-inch display and a Tensor G2 chipset. It could also come with a Pixel Tablet Stand accessory, turning the device into a smart screen when it's charging and not in use as a tablet.

The biggest unveiling at Google I/O 2023 figures to a new addition to Google's hardware lineup. For years, we've heard rumors of a Pixel Fold that's designed to crash the foldable phone party currently dominated by Samsung devices. And now, Google has essentially confirmed that's what's going to happen.

The Fold is rumored to be a lot like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, in that Google has gone with a design where a phone-sized device opens up to reveal a larger screen. The rumored specs have the folded-up Google device listed as shorter and thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 4, with Google gambling that people want a more portable foldable. As with the other hardware on show, this one should get a G2 processor, too.

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Google I/O 2023 is almost here, which means we're about to get a full rundown of Android 14 and its features. And there are a number of interesting upgrades already rumored, or present in the Android 14 beta, to look forward to.

The current Android 13 OS was a relatively laid-back release after the huge changes introduced by Android 12. Based on the current rumored features, Android 14 is shaping up to be a practical upgrade, offering no particular killer feature, but several changes that users will appreciate.

Looking over the currently observed features in testing, I've picked out the five following features as likely highlights of Android 14's change list. Keep an eye out for these at I/O on May 10, along with Google's new hardware like the Pixel 7a.

Passkeys 

Recently confirmed by Google for your overall Google account, passkeys are also tipped to appear for Android 14, with an API designed to work with passkey management in the software.

These replace your standard text passwords with two biometrically-authenticated "keys": one generated by your phone, and the other by the service you're using. It's both simpler and more secure than traditional passwords, so it would be good news for everyone if this was available as standard on new Android phones going forward.

Split ringtone and notification volume sliders

One of the most irritating parts of native Android is that turning the notification volume up or down also affects the ring volume, and vice versa. That's a pain if you're wanting to listen out for an important incoming call, but you don't want to be bothered hearing a loud ding, beep or whatever noise for every email or text alert you happen to get.

Android 14 seems to be finally introducing individual volume controls for these two essential smartphone features. This is apparently been in development since at least the Android 13 betas, so hopefully after a full year of potential tinkering Google will be ready to make this available for everyone. 

Predictive back gesture 

Swiping back on an Android phone works fine right now, but Google seems to have thought of an interesting way of making it better in Android 14.

Similar to how swiping up from the bottom of the screen and then pausing shows you all your open apps, swiping from the side and then pausing will show you a preview of the page you'll be heading back to. This, along with a new arrow indicator to show the phone's recognizing your input, should make navigating through long sequences of pages much simpler. I'd imagine navigating through the Settings app, or through lots of linked webpages, would be made much simpler through this method.

App clones 

If you've got multiple accounts on one app, such as personal and business social media accounts, it can be a pain to constantly swap between log-ins. Android 14 could simplify this by adding app clones as a default feature.

Already available on certain Android launchers, app clones let you keep two versions of the same app on your home screen or in your app drawer, each logged into a separate account. It appears that it'll only work with certain pre-selected apps such as Facebook, Discord or Telegram for the time being, but hopefully this ability will eventually be opened to any and all apps that could benefit from it.

Optimization for larger displays 

It's no secret that Android's a smartphone-first OS, which means without a lot of tweaking by hardware manufacturers, it doesn't feel good to use on bigger-screened devices running Android. Fortunately, Google looks to be continuing to make Android better on larger devices through dev options for windows, sliding panes and more.

This will be very important for the Google Pixel Fold, a foldable phone now confirmed to be appearing at I/O, and the already public Google Pixel Tablet. But assuming these features all end up in the open-source version of Android, it'll make using the best foldable phones and the best Android tablets much more enjoyable once the update is available. 

Beyond Google I/O 

We still have a wait on our hands to try the final version of Android 14, even once I/O's over and done with. Google's current development timeline has the stable edition of Android 14 appearing after July, and most likely it won't be available on any new phone until it debuts on the latest flagship Google phone, which should be the Pixel 8 series in October.

This feels like an update that'll be worth waiting for, or possibly even upgrading for if your phone's too old for a software refresh. Nothing's as flashy or as fun as Material You was in Android 12, but we can look forward to a series of welcome optimizations in Android 14 going by the betas. And, of course, we may still see some surprises announced during Google I/O that the betas have yet to see, so fingers crossed for even more new features to look forward to.

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The Google Pixel 7a should be arriving at Google I/O 2023 next week, but in typical Google style it seems the phone is already out in the world. Worse still for Google is the fact that hands-on videos have already made their way online, spilling everything the company had (presumably) hoped to keep secret.

But since this happens so often, we shouldn’t be that surprised. At the very least it means we can get a glimpse of the mid-range Pixel ahead of time. There are two prominent videos out there at the moment: a full hands-on video from YouTuber munchy, and a full-teardown of the phone from PBKreviews.

Both videos reveal various details about the phone, should you decide to watch them all the way through. Otherwise we’ll summarize the important stuff below.

Google Pixel 7a: Design and impressions

munchy’s hands-on video notes that the Pixel 7a is slightly more refined than the Pixel 6a, with the display sitting flush with the frame this year. That display is 6.1 inches and has a fairly chunky bezel around it but the phone does seem to feature a 90Hz refresh rate. 

The screen doesn’t support an adaptive refresh rate, so it won’t change automatically and potentially save some battery when the full 90Hz isn’t required. But you can toggle it yourself. 

Unsurprisingly, the phone in the video is powered by the Tensor G2 chipset, and packs in 8GB of RAM — an upgrade from the Pixel 6a’s 6GB. Like last year the fingerprint scanner is in the display, and the camera module takes its cues from the Pixel 7. munchy notes that the camera bar doesn’t stick out that much.

The battery seems to be a bit contentious, since the phone on munchy’s video claims there’s 4,300 MAh of capacity, while a teardown from PBKreviews notes that the battery pack itself lists the capacity as 4,385 mAh and 4,344 mAh. The fact there are three separate figures noted is pretty strange, and we may need to wait for Google to clarify this.

Charging speeds were estimated to be between 18W and 20W on a wired connection, and just 5W on a wireless charger. Which is rather disappointing, though I hope using a specialized wireless charger like the Pixel Stand 2 could offer slightly faster speeds. Naturally that low wireless charging speed means there’s no reverse wireless charging here.

Google Pixel 7a: Camera specs and more

Very little of the camera could be revealed at this early stage, with munchy noting that a launch day software update could unlock a bunch of features that appear to be missing — like action and cinematic modes.

He also spotted that the phone registered photos from the main and ultrawide lenses as 16.1MP, which runs contrary to the current rumors that we’re getting a 64MP main and 12MP ultrawide. 

In particular the phone seemed to believe that it had three rear cameras, comprising two 16.1MP lenses and a third at 13MP. Which obviously isn't the case, since the phone only had two rear lenses. However, the camera app seems to confirm that the rear camera will record in 4K 60fps, while the front camera offers 4K 30fps and 1080p 60fps. PBKreviews notes that the main camera lens has image stabilization as well.

Other points to note are that the 7A seems to have a plastic back, though designed to look more premium than the materials would suggest. The screen brightness doesn’t appear to fair well in bright sunlight, and munchy calls the speakers “good enough” but noted they lost some quality when the volume is turned up to 100%.

munchy notes that the Pixel 7a will just about fit into a Pixel 6a case, but goes into a dedicated Pixel 7a case more comfortably. That suggests the phone is larger than last year, but not by a lot. The phone also weighs 6.8 ounces, making it slightly heavier than the Pixel 6a, which weighed 6.3 ounces.

With Google I/O being so close, it won’t be long before Google has the opportunity to verify (or refute) this information. In the meantime be sure to check out our Google Pixel 7a and Google I/O hubs for all the latest news and rumors relating to the phone and everything else that should make an appearance during the keynote presentation.

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All signs point towards the Google Pixel Fold being released next week at Google I/O 2023. That’s what the many, many leaks have been saying, and the latest only adds credence to that idea. How? Because it looks like we’ve finally got what appears to be official marketing images of the upcoming foldable — alongside more hardware specs.

All of this comes in a protected tweet from long-time leaker Evan Blass, who has a pretty good track record when it comes accurate tech tips. The images themselves don’t reveal any major surprises, essentially corroborating renders and imagery we’ve seen before. Likewise, the specs lineup with leaks from the past few weeks.

Design-wise the Pixel Fold seems to be what we expected. A foldable device akin to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series, albeit a little more squat than Samsung’s flagship foldable. On the outside is a 5.8-inch OLED display, which opens up like a book to reveal a larger 7.6-inch OLED display. 

According to Blass, both screens have a 120Hz refresh rate, something we previously heard from Jon Prosser in his mammoth Pixel Fold leak.

On the back is a camera module similar, but not identical to, that on the Pixel 7 Pro. The bar doesn’t quite reach end to end, but it does feature the same general design — including cut-outs for all three camera lenses. According to Blass those lenses include a 48MP main camera, plus 10.8MP ultrawide and telephoto lenses.

The selfie camera on the internal display will reportedly be 8MP, and judging from the images the rumors that it would be hidden inside the display bezel seem accurate. According to Prosser’s previous leak the external selfie cam, which is a hole punch per these images, offers 9MP resolution. Prosser also claimed the telephoto lens will offer 5x optical zoom and 20x SuperRes Zoom.

Other details from Blass claim the Pixel Fold will be 5.5 x 3.1 x 0.5 inches when folded, and 0.2-inches thick when unfolded. As we’ve heard previously the Fold should be powered by the Google Tensor G2 chipset with a Titan M2 security chip, just like the Pixel 7 series. There’s also said to be 12GB of RAM, and a choice of 256GB or 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage.

Weight wise Blass says we’re looking at 283 grams (9.9 ounces), alongside IPX8 water resistance and a 4,821 mAh battery that will reportedly run for up to 24 hours. It’ll supposedly be available in “obsidian” or “porcelain” which are fancy ways of saying black or white. Interestingly Prosser previously claimed that the White Pixel Fold would be “chalk,” so we’ll have to wait and see which leaker is correct.

There are some things Blass didn’t mention, though, notably the price. There had been hopes Google would undercut Samsung, whose Galaxy Z Fold 4 starts at $1,799. Unfortunately, Jon Prosser claims the 256GB Pixel Fold will go on sale with the exact same starting price, and with the 512GB model reportedly selling for $1,919.

We’re also expecting to see the Google Pixel 7a and Pixel Tablet at I/O on May 10, alongside news on the biggest changes coming as part of the Android 14 update. We will of course be on hand to bring you the biggest news as and when it’s announced on the day. You can also watch Google I/O 2023 yourself, and catch all the announcements live.

In the meantime you can keep tabs on all the latest news and rumors in our Google Pixel Fold and Google I/O 2023 hubs.

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Given that Samsung is on the fifth iteration of its foldable phone this year, it's surprising that this flagship hasn't faced any real competition yet. But that's about to change with the rumored launch of the Google Pixel Fold. 

Google is expected to unveil its very first foldable phone at Google I/O 2023 on May 10, and the device certainly seems to have a lot going for it based on the leaks and rumors thus far. In fact, the Pixel Fold could very well beat the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 (expected to debut in July) in a few key ways. 

Here are three advantages the Pixel Fold could have over Samsung in the war for best foldable phone. 

A thinner and tougher design 

Based on leaked renders and dimensions, the Pixel Fold is said to measure 6.2 x 5.5 x 0.22 when open, compared to 6.09 x 5.1 x 0.24 inches for the Galaxy Z Fold 5. That might not sound like much, but it can make a big difference when you're holding a big 7.6-inch screen in your hand. And both foldables should feature the same size display when open. 

To be fair, the Pixel Fold is expected to weigh a heavier 10 ounces, compared to a rumored 8.95 ounces for the Z Fold 5. So we'll have to see both devices feel in hand. 

In addition, the Pixel Fold will reportedly boast "the most durable hinge on a foldable," according to a CNBC report. The Pixel Fold will also apparently be water resistant, but we're not sure of the rating. There's been rumors that the Z Fold 5 could be water resistant as well, but we haven't heard any bold claims about the durability other than a new waterdrop-style hinge that could prevent creasing in the display. 

Superior camera system

Based on specs leaks, the Pixel Fold is tipped to offer a 48MP main camera, 10.8MP ultrawide and 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x zoom. Plus, there's an outer 9.5MP shooter and inner 8MP camera for video calling and selfies.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to feature the same camera hardware as the Z Fold 4, which includes a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom. No word yet on the other cameras, but the Z Fold 4 features a 10MP outer selfie camera and a lackluster 4MP under-display inner camera.

So Google should have the advantage both in terms of optical zoom but also likely computational photography chops with features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur that are powered by the Tensor G2 silicon likely to be used by the Pixel Fold.

A more usable outer display

The Pixel Fold would seem to be at a disadvantage with its smaller 5.8-inch cover display, compared to the expected 6.2-inch panel on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. But based on the rumors and reports we've seen the Pixel Fold should have a wider aspect ratio, which should make its external display easier to use. So whether you want to check the weather or type a quick replay, the Pixel Fold could be the better foldable partner to have when its folded up. 

Pixel Fold outlook 

Given that the Pixel Fold is rumored to cost the same $1,799 as the Galaxy Z Fold 5, it looks like Google is going to need to find ways for its foldable to stand out. A thinner and more durable design, better camera system and an outer display that feels less claustrophobic all sound promising. But our Google Pixel Fold review will decide whether it deserves to take down the champ. 

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The Google Pixel 7a isn't here yet, but its arrival may have a bittersweet note if the rumor of this being Google's last Pixel a-series phone (from Yogesh Brar) is true.

Pointing to the big spec bump rumored for the new cheaper Pixel, Brar says there won't be any Pixel 8a coming next year to update it. Instead, he claims Google will stick to its regular and Pro flagship models, like the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, plus the Pixel Fold once that heavily-rumored device launches.

There'd be some logic to this. With the Pixel 7 costing $600, and the Pixel 7a apparently due to sell for $500, these phones likely wouldn't be that far enough apart in price and specs. Without enough meaningful differences, having these two models next to each other would just confuse buyers and cost Google extra without much benefit.

Google's options 

The problem is we really like the Pixel 6a, as we did with previous Pixel a-series models. We'd hate to see such a good-value phone disappear. So the initial solution would seem to be that Google's better off upping the specs price of the standard flagship Pixel to compensate for the improved Pixel a model. 

However, doing so would likely cause the same issue between the standard and Pro flagship Pixels, and we wouldn't want the pro Pixels to get more expensive that much since they've such excellent value while still competing with the best phones around.

With that in mind, maybe Google is better off getting rid of the Pixel a-series. That way, its regular phone line-up each year would consist of two models with an easy-to-understand price/feature gap that both get renewed at the same time. But if that did happen, Google would need to find a new way to appeal to users unable or unwilling to pay for flagship phones. Fortunately, its rivals may have pointed the way here.

New old phones

Apple, and more recently Samsung, sell older flagship phone models alongside their latest models. The Apple Store offers the iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 mini from 2021, and the iPhone 12 from 2020, alongside its latest iPhone 14 handsets, while Samsung has kept the Galaxy S22 as a cheaper counterpart to the Galaxy S23 family. Google is already rumored to be doing this with the Pixel 6a (seemingly to make up for the Pixel 7a's alleged price increase), so in future years perhaps we'll see vanilla flagship Pixels take up the mantle of The Cheap Google Phone.

Buying older phones can feel a bit riskier than just buying a fresh model. But with big spec changes only happening every few years, and update schedules for phone OSes stretching longer into the future than ever before (three years guaranteed in Google's case), smartphone shoppers can often get a discount by selecting a 12-month-old model without missing out on any meaningful features that the new version has. 

Google's more generous than most Android phone makers with software updates too thanks to its quarterly Feature Drop updates, which help even older Pixels continue to feel fresh.

This rumor is going to take a while to play out, since the Google Pixel 7a is only rumored to launch on May 11 at Google I/O 2023, and it could be up to another year until it would become obvious there's no replacement coming. But while we'd miss getting a Pixel 8a next year, as long as Google still does something to cater to users with tight budgets, the end of the Pixel a-series wouldn't be worth worrying about.

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Any lingering doubt you have about the Pixel Fold appearing this month should be squelched. A new report claims Google's first foldable device has shown up with U.S. regulators, setting the stage for the Pixel Fold's debut at Google I/O 2023 next week on May 10.

The Fold seemed like it was in line for a potential appearance at Google's annual developer conference, which has occasionally served as a showcase for new hardware announcements. The latest Pixel Fold release rumors claim that Google will show off its foldable phone at the May 10 Google I/O opening keynote, before releasing that device later in June.

The latest evidence that the Pixel Fold is moving toward a release at some point in the next month or so comes from 9to5Google. The site claims that the Pixel Fold has passed through the certification process with the Federal Communications Commission, a regulatory step that typically happens just before a phone's debut.

This is a big moment for some of us who've been following the Pixel Fold saga for a while and can remember back to the time when all evidence pointed to Google having scrapped plans for releasing a foldable phone. 

News of the Pixel Fold landing at the FCC comes right after some weekend leaks posted by Evan Blass, another reliable source for information on upcoming phone releases. Blass mainly shared official-looking renders of the upcoming phone but also tweeted out some rumored specs for the Pixel Fold. The details largely mirror what we've heard so far.

Pixel Fold: Get ready for a different foldable

According to the tweets from Blass, the 5.5 x 3.1 x 0.5-inch Pixel Fold features a 5.8-inch exterior display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The aspect ration of the external display looks like it will be wider and therefore comfier to use than the narrow Galaxy Z Fold 4's 6.2-inch cover screen. 

Open the phone up, and you'll get a 7.6-inch screen that also has a 120Hz refresh rate. (The external display has a higher peak brightness, apparently.) Once you open the Pixel Fold, it's now 6.2 inches wide but just 0.2 inches thick. To put that size in context, the Pixel Fold's rumored specs make it sound slightly thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 4 when opened up.

Blass says exterior cameras include three lenses — a 48MP main camera, augmented by 10.8MP ultrawide shooter and a 10.8MP telephoto lens capable of a 5x optical zoom. The Z Fold 4 has only a 3x optical zoom. A 9.5MP front camera can take pictures when the phone is closed, and there's an 8MP selfie cam inside the phone, presumably to enable video conferencing on the Pixel Fold's extended display.

As for other specs, Blass expects the Pixel Fold to feature the same Tensor G2 chipset that powers the Pixel 7 family and is rumored to be coming to the Pixel 7a that Google could also show off at I/O this month. Expect a 4,821 mAh battery, 12GB of memory and a choice between 256GB and 512GB of storage.

Anticipation is especially high for the Pixel Fold, not just because it's been rumored for a while but also because the best foldable phones are currently dominated by Samsung. The upcoming release of the Pixel Fold likely sets up a showdown with the Galaxy Z Fold 5, expected to come out later this year. And based on the latest news, we're one stop closer to that happening.

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It’s been a while since we had a good Google-designed tablet or a really compelling Android tablet. But that’s set to change with the Google Pixel Tablet. 

Set to be revealed in full at Google I/O 2023 on May 10, images of the tablet keep popping up with the latest coming from footage captured at the Milan Design Week event in Italy. And while the latest images show off a coral color (and not much else), my excitement for the Pixel Tablet is building. 

A tablet with Pixel-esque sensibilities, such as some custom features and a really clean user interface, is compelling enough on its own, but there's more. Google seems to have a plan to make the Pixel Tablet stand apart from the likes of the iPad Air. 

At the Google "Shaped by Water" installation in Milan, we got a good (and brief) look at the Pixel Tablet, which looks rather similar to the iPad Air. But while the Pixel Tablet has iPad-like Smart Connectors, these will work with the Pixel Tablet dock, which can convert the tablet into a smart device that's akin to the Google Nest Home Hub. 

Even in this hands-off preview alone, the Google Pixel Tablet looks to offer a fresh approach to Android tablets. 

The Pixel Tablet should offer a twist for the home

You can use iPads (and other tablets) as a form of smart home control device. But unless you’re willing to go down the third-party or DIY route, or make do with an Amazon Fire Tablet, it’s difficult to find a really neat way to incorporate a tablet into your smart home. This is particularly pertinent given that iPads can no longer be made into HomeKit hubs since the rollout of iPadOS 16.

So, Google has me intrigued with this tablet that looks to be focused on the smart home, with functions similar to smart hubs. It's a compelling concept.

I’m a huge fan of the Nest Hub. But it’s not exactly a portable device; it just hands out on my bedside table. As I spend most of my day at my desk, a lot of the functions of the Nest Hub get neglected. The closest I get to flexibility is using the Google Pixel 7 Pro with the Pixel Stand, but I find this to be tricky with the Pixel phone seemingly not always shifting into its home mode.

But the Pixel Tablet looks set to be the antidote to this situation by offering two modes in one. Sure, I can perform smart home controls on my iPhone 13 Pro with the Google Home app, but it’s hardly an elegant solution. This tablet's larger panel would allow for a better view of what I’ve got connected and where.

Outlook: Android should enable a better smart home situation

I’m also hoping that the relative openness of Android and Google’s smart approach to software will allow for better integration with a variety of smart apps and ecosystems. I’m not as au fait with smart home setups as my colleague Kate Kozuch, but I still feel there are too many siloed smart home systems that require switching between interfaces and apps to control it all. Instead, Google with all its AI and Assistant tech could make one platform to rule them all.

The other big potential at hand is for Google to create an Android tablet that actually feels like a joy to use, with apps that are optimized for slate-like screens. Even the best Android tablets have failed to do this. Google, with all of its experience, should be able to make Android apps running on the Pixel Tablet just work, even if on the developer side there’s been no optimization for bigger screens.

Ideally, a Chrome OS-like interface when the Pixel Tablet is docked with, say, potential keyboard accessories, would be icing on the cake. This would further enhance the flexibility and scope of the Pixel Tablet to transform from a standard tablet, into a smart home hub, and into a productivity machine. Of course, this could all be wishful thinking on my part.

So in the face of building Pixel Fold rumors, as well as the likely launch of the Pixel 7a, the device I’ll really be looking out for at Google I/O will be the Pixel Tablet. I think it could low-key be one of the more interesting devices of the year. Even more interesting: a fantastic Pixel Tablet could push Apple to do more with its iPads. And the team at Cupertino truly needs to innovate with the iPad again.

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The Google Pixel Tablet ($499 to start) was unveiled at Google I/O 2023 this week, giving us our first true glimpse of the company’s new Android tablet. (Update: Check out our hands-on with the Google Pixel Tablet.)

While the 11-inch Pixel Tablet looks as portable as any iPad, Google is pitching it as a tablet designed specifically for (smart) home use. 

Every Pixel Tablet comes with a Charging Speaker Dock included, and when you pop the tablet in the dock it enters a special Hub Mode that lets you use it as a photo frame, a media player or a voice-controlled assistant via Google’s software suite. What's more, Google is taking a page from Samsung's playboook by pitching the new tablet as optimized to complement to its existing portfolio of Android devices, including the Pixel Watch and phones like the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.

It’s a fairly unique pitch for a slate, one the Pixel Tablet is well-equipped to deliver on thanks to Google’s well-established software ecosystem. The company is reportedly working to ensure Google apps like Google Meet, Google TV and Google Photos are optimized for the 11-inch display, and the Tensor G2 chip powering this device gives it the muscle to handle video calls, photo editing and tablet gaming.

Here’s everything we know so far about the Google Pixel Tablet, which looks to be a strong contender for one of the best Android tablets (and one of the best tablets period) of 2023. 

Google Pixel tablet: Specs

Google Pixel tablet: Price and availability

 The Google Pixel Tablet is available for pre-order right now via Google’s website for a starting price of $499 in the U.S. and £599 in the U.K., with units expected to hit store shelves in May 2023. However, its Amazon listing notes that it will ship on June 20.

You have your choice of three color options: Hazel, Porcelain or Rose.

The entry-level model comes with an 11-inch (2560 x 1600) 16:10 LCD display, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. You can pay more to double the storage to 256GB, and Google also sells a range of accessories for the tablet, including a $79 case with built-in stand that can be kept on the tablet while it’s docked. 

Speaking of docks, you can drop $129 for each additional one you want to buy, if you want to have multiple docks in your home.

Google Pixel tablet: Design

Measuring 10.2 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches and weighing just over a pound (17.4 ounces, to be specific), the Google Pixel Tablet is just a smidge larger and heavier than the base iPad 2022. With its rounded aluminum chassis and matte nano-ceramic coating there’s no mistaking it for anything other than a tablet, and the light-up Google logo on the rear lets you know where it came from.

There are 8MP cameras on the front and rear, as well as 3 microphones and four speakers inside the tablet. You’ll find the power button and volume rocker along the upper-left edge when holding the tablet like a portrait, and the power button has a fingerprint reader built into it for security. There's a also a physical privacy switch you can use to disable the microphone and camera.

Google Pixel tablet: Display

The Google Pixel tablet sports an 11-inch (technically 10.95-inch, thanks to the rounded edges) 16:10 LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. That means it’s got a pixel density of 276 pixels per inch (PPI), which is slightly higher than the roughly 264 PPI offered by the screen on the base iPad. 

Google claims the screen can achieve up to 500 nits of brightness, which is comparable to the base iPad and pretty bright for an Android tablet. Of course, we’re eager to get one into our lab for testing so we can see for ourselves how the reality stacks up against the promise.

Google Pixel tablet: Cameras

Google’s Pixel Tablet packs a pair of 8MP shooters on front and rear. Both have the same field of view and image sensor size, and they’re both capable of capturing 1080p video at 30 frames per second (FPS). The one thing the front camera can do that the rear camera can’t? Portrait mode.

They also support a suite of software enhancements like video stabilization, photo-unblurring and Magic Eraser (in the Google Photos app) thanks to the Tensor G2 chip.

Google Pixel tablet: Battery life

Google claims the Pixel Tablet can last up to 12 hours while streaming video, though that number was arrived at via internal testing streaming 1080p YouTube videos via Wi-Fi.

Will you get similar battery life when using the tablet at home, or out and about? We can’t say for sure, but when we get one in for testing we can’t wait to put it through our own battery testing regimen to see how it holds up.

Google Pixel tablet: Software

Google is pitching the Pixel Tablet as a slate that does double duty as a smart home hub, so the fact that it supports a wide variety of Google and Android software is a key selling point.

Notably, Google claims to have optimized over 50 of its own apps for the 11-inch display on the Pixel Tablet, and hopefully we’ll see more developers doing the same as the device moves through the market. The company also claims this is the first tablet with built-in support for Chromecast, and when it’s in Hub Mode (more on that shortly) you can cast media directly to it from another device.

This is also the first tablet to sport Google’s Tensor G2 chip and thus the first tablet to offer the sort of software and AI-like functionality usually seen in Google’s Pixel phones. That includes the protection afforded by the company’s Titan M2 security chip as well as fun effects like the afore-mentioned Magic Eraser in Google Photos.

Google Pixel tablet: Speaker dock and Hub Mode

Every Google Pixel Tablet comes with a Charging Speaker Dock included free of charge, which goes a long way towards selling the company’s vision of this slate as the centerpiece of your smart home. 

The dock has magnets designed to make attaching the tablet easy, and inside it has speakers that (according to Google) deliver up to 4x the bass of the tablet itself. 

When you dock the tablet it enters Hub Mode, at which point you can use it hands-free via voice commands and configure it to act as a media hub or digital photo frame. Google claims to have put some thought into how its apps work on the tablet in this context, doing little things like optimizing it to adjust screen brightness for ambient brightness automatically when acting as a digital photo frame, for example.

Google Pixel tablet: Outlook

The Google Pixel Tablet is priced like an iPad competitor, but the fact that it’s pitched as a slate that doubles as a smart home hub gives it a unique selling point. If it really works as well as advertised, it could compete favorably with both Apple's iPad and Amazon smart home hubs like the Echo Show 10. 

Now, we just have to wait and see if the Pixel Tablet can deliver on Google’s promises.

If it can, the Pixel Tablet looks like it could bring some stiff competition against the best tablets on the market in 2023. The fact that the Pixel Tablet is basically the same size, weight and price as the base iPad (yet comes with a speaker-equipped charging dock for free) makes comparing the two inevitable and exciting. Stay tuned for our full review of Google’s latest tablet to see how they stack up!

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There are dozens of apps that can measure your steps, sleep, nutrition, exercise — not to forget the multitudes of fitness devices that also have their own native Android apps where they store data. Luckily for us, Google and Samsung have come together to try and simplify the otherwise fragmented fitness world with Health Connect. This is a fitness hub that will be able to sync data between different Android apps so all information is stored in one place for users. 

This includes apps like Samsung Health, Google Fit and Fitbit. Google is also working with the developers of MyFitnessPal, Leap Fitness, and Withings. This means that if you have a Samsung phone and track your fitness using a Fitbit, you will be able to sync your data from the Samsung Health app or the Fitbit app directly to Health Connect. This will also help users who track their fitness using multiple devices to have it all in one place.

Health Connect is similar to Apple’s Health app that syncs data from various health and fitness apps.

Health Connect is currently in an open beta accessible to all Android developers. Announced first at Google I/O 2022 and then in a Samsung press release, developers have access to a single set of APIs (application programming interface) that enable the creation of fitness and health experiences.

Google says users will get complete control over what kind of data they share and which apps they share it with. In case there is more than one app collecting similar data, users can choose which one to choose over others. 

Health Connect supports over 50 data types including activity, sleep, vitals, nutrition, body measurement and cycle tracking. 

Recently, Google and Samsung have been collaborating for different projects in the fitness and wearables space. Samsung contributed to the development of Wear OS 3, which is currently on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, but many more watches are in the pipeline for the new OS.

Health Connect is a big leap in bringing the vast Android fitness and wearables world together in one place. The tech should be fully developed and available in time for the Google Pixel Watch launch later this year.

Update: Google Pixel Tablet specs just got tipped — expect Tensor chip power.

Google is returning to tablets! The Pixel tablet was teased at the Google I/O 2022 press event, where the Pixel 6a and Pixel Watch were also announced. Google did not reveal too many details about the Pixel tablet, but there's good news and bad news.

Here’s everything we know about the Pixel tablet so far. It's set to be launched in 2023, and it could very well be a strong iPad rival. Or could it? Looks-wise it is not impressive, but a big software redesign could help the Pixel tablet compete with the best iPads. 

Google Pixel Tablet: Uninspiring design

Judging the book by its cover, the Pixel tablet looks like nothing to write home about. The design looks cheap, with big bezels. The tablet itself looks thick and seems to have a plastic back. There’s nothing futuristic about the design, and we couldn’t find any similarities to the newly announced Pixel 7 phone, unlike Apple, which links the design language of the latest iPad Pro or iPad Air with the iPhone 13. The Pixel tablet looks like a simple streamlined slate with rounded edges, and not a tablet from the future.

Well, 2023 is still some time away, so we hope Google makes more improvements on this front. But, and there is a big "but" here — the Pixel tablet seems to have all the meat on the inside. 

Firstly, the Pixel tablet will be powered by Google’s Tensor chip, so you should expect strong performance along with uniquely Google experiences like super-fast voice recognition and Magic Eraser for photos. More importantly, the Pixel tablet it will have some serious upgrades on the software front.

Google Pixel Tablet: Inspiring software

Gone should be the days of Android tablets that feel like lame stretched-out phones. Google announced that the Pixel tablet will run on Android 13,  which will bring a big redesign of how the company’s software will work on big screen devices. The redesign is mainly around the tablet homepage and making apps fit together without wasting any space. Widgets are redesigned for the same purpose as well.

Google has committed to updating over 20 of its own apps to be more useful and usable on ‘big screen devices’ like tablets. This includes Entertainment Space and YouTube Music, and also third-party apps like Zoom, Facebook and Canva.

In terms of multi-tasking, you can now place two apps side-by-side and use them simultaneously. Google has taken a page out of iPadOS here and if there are two apps you use together a lot, you can re-open paired apps easily, too. 

The re-arrangement also makes settings a tad bit more convenient to access. Now, you just have to swipe down and all your settings will appear on the left and the notifications on the right. The layout is more clean compared to earlier, when notifications and settings appeared on top of each other. 

Bottom line: We're cautiously optimistic

Google marks a big return to tablets with the Pixel tablet. The last tablet they launched was the Pixel Slate in 2018, and after the disappointing showing the company announced a big cutback to their tablet development efforts in 2019. It is exciting to see that Google is planning a big comeback to challenge the iPad, and also Samsung devices like the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.

Now, 2023 is a long ways away, but the Pixel tablet could have what it takes to make our best tablets list. However, it seems like the design needs more time in the oven. Until then, here are the best Android tablets you can buy right now.

Update: Google Pixel Fold could have a unique camera design — here's the proof.

At a Google I/O keynote where Google showed off the Pixel 6a that will arrive in July, a Pixel 7 and Pixel Watch that will show up in the fall and a Pixel tablet that ships at some point next year, it seems churlish to hone in on the hardware Google didn't talk about. And yet, the Pixel Fold — a foldable device that some have tipped for release later this year — was notably left out of Google's rundown of hardware you can expect from the company in the coming months.

There's probably a perfectly good reason for that. The Pixel Fold remains the stuff of rumors for now. Even Google — which is more chatty than most phone makers about its planned products — has yet to confirm that a foldable device is in the works. This could be one of those things that Google keeps close to the vest until it's ready to show off at least a working prototype.

Still, it's not as if there wasn't an opportunity during this week's Google I/O keynote for the Pixel Fold to make a surprise appearance. Google executives spent some time talking about bolstering Android's capabilities on large-screen devices, and while the company clearly had tablets in mind, you couldn't help but imagine those multitasking features finding their way to a foldable phone. (What is a foldable, after all, if not a tablet that's just easier to fit into a pocket?)

Toward the end of the keynote, when Google senior vice president for devices and services Rick Osterloh appeared on stage to offer a sneak preview of a big-screen device that wasn't going to arrive until 2023, I felt for certain we were going to get an early look at the Pixel Fold. Instead, Osterloh previewed the Pixel tablet, which sort of resembles a Google Nest Hub with its base lopped off.

All right, so I only have myself to blame for feeling let down by that reveal — we never promised you a foldable phone, pal, you can hear Google protesting. But with only a passing reference to foldables from other device makers and not much time spent on Google's efforts with Android 12L to optimize Android for these new kinds of devices, you have to wonder if Google is really serious about a foldable of its own, or if the Pixel Fold is just some sort of collective delusion we've all convinced ourselves is happening.

After all, we had been told late last year that the Pixel Fold had been scrapped, reportedly because Google decided it had too big a hill to climb to compete with the best foldable phones. But then rumors continued about the Fold's status, with multiple sources insisting the project was still proceeding.

These days, you'll find several rumormongers pointing to a late 2022 launch, with the phone reportedly appearing alongside the Pixel 7 later this year. (At least Google's confirmed that the latter device actually exists.) And there's not a lot of contrary voices rising up to disagree with that assertion.

Maybe that's because most of the talk around the Pixel Fold references some pretty concrete details. For starters, rumors point to specific screen sizes for the Pixel Fold — a 7.6-inch interior display just like the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and rumored Galaxy Z Fold 4, along with a 5.8-inch cover display. Additional rumors have even claimed that Google has lined up suppliers for the foldable panels it needs, though many of those reports pre-date the Pixel Fold's supposed cancellation in late 2021. The point is, tipsters are getting this information from somewhere.

Of course, you can go mad trying to read anything into the timing of leaks and rumors about tech products. Shortly before Google I/O, a report surfaced that the launch of the Pixel Buds Pro was imminent, despite the fact that few technical details about the wireless earbuds had been revealed. You'd think that would mean that a Google I/O reveal wasn't in the cards, and yet here we are, with a July 21 preorder date for the Pixel Buds Pro.

All we do know is that making a foldable phone seems sensible for a company like Google that's not only looking for new ways to excite people about its hardware, but also can optimize the software that bolsters the usefulness of a foldable screen. Samsung is clearly excited enough about the prospect of foldable phones to keep coming out with new versions of not just the Galaxy Z Fold, but a Galaxy Z Flip 3 successor as well. China-based phone makers are pursuing their own hardware, too. Imagine what Google can do when it's also responsible for the software that can run on these devices.

So while I'm inclined to think that Google is tinkering with a Pixel Fold — or a Pixel Notepad, if that's what Google ends up calling this thing — maybe the takeaway from Google I/O is that those efforts aren't as close to paying off as we've been led to believe. Given that Google was very eager to lay out its product roadmap in other areas this week, a foldable before year's end could be a big ask. But I'd be happy to be surprised.

Update: Latest Android Auto update has a major bug — see if you’re affected.

Google I/O has seen a bunch of major announcements, including the likes of the Pixel 6a and some details on what’s coming with Android 13 later this year. Google has also announced some long-awaited changes to Android Auto, including a refreshed design and brand new features.

We’ve heard about the possibility of an Android Auto design refresh already, but there has never been any indication as to when it would arrive. The main addition to Android Auto is the new split-screen mode, which ensures all the most popular features are readily available — the idea being that you don’t need to navigate the apps list on your homescreen while you’re driving.

Split screen also comes with always-on navigation and media. After all, nothing is worse than missing your turning because you had to do something that Google Assistant couldn’t quite figure out for some reason. 

The best part is that the new design is capable of adapting to a specific car’s screen — no matter its size or design.

Speaking of Google Assistant, Android Auto and Google Assistant are going to get closer with the new update. Assistant will get the ability to make contextual suggestions while you’re driving, because the less you have to focus on Android Auto the more you can concentrate on the road ahead.

Examples Google has given include returning missed calls, sharing arrival times, and personalized music recommendations.

If you’d rather not use your voice to communicate when you’re on the road, Android Auto is offering a bunch of ways to communicate with a single tap. Supported options will be the ability to call favorite contacts and to choose a suggested response to quickly send messages.

If you’re driving one of the rare cars that has Google’s Android Automotive OS built-in, you’ll also find that there’s slightly better support for streaming. We’re still not getting support for the likes of Netflix, but Tubi TV and Epix Now will be joining YouTube as streaming options in your car, alongside the ability to browse the web. Of course, safety reasons mean that video streaming apps will only work when the car isn’t moving.

Google promises that the new Android Auto design will roll out “just in time for the summer”. That suggests it will arrive sometime between now and the end of June — though an exact launch date hasn’t been announced.

Read next: A new Android Auto bug is blowing up icons to hilarious large sizes

For an event that tends to focus on software, the Google I/O keynote yesterday (May 11) wound up featuring a whole lot of hardware news, though we're in for a bit of a wait before any of the new products arrive.

As you would expect from an opening keynote at a developers conference, Google did spend some time talking about Android 13, though most of the information shared has been known since the public beta of the software update became available. 

Instead, the more eye-catching parts of the Google I/O keynote centered around new Pixel products. Here's what got announced:

Pixel 6a: Google's budget phone will still cost $449/AU$749, and will feature the Tensor chip in the Pixel 6. That will enable new features like Magic Eraser. The phone arrives July 28, with pre-orders staring July 21.

Pixel Buds Pro: These wireless earbuds feature active noise cancellation. They'll cost $199/AU$299, and like the Pixel 6a, you'll be able to place an order on July 21 in advance of their sale on July 28.

Pixel Watch: Google's first smartwatch will run Wear OS and incorporate FitBit features like sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring and other exercise tracking capabilities. You'll be able to control smart home devices from your wrist, too. The Pixel 7 isn't coming until the fall.

Pixel 7: We don't know much about the Pixel 7, but we do know what it will look like now that Google has given us a sneak peek at the device. The horizontal camera bar remains, but the lenses look a lot different on the model coming this fall.

Pixel Tablet: We know even less about the Pixel tablet slated for a 2023 release. It looks like one of Google's smart screens with the base cut off, though. It's being touted as a complement to Google's Pixel phones.

Even with that hardware focus, there were plenty of updates on software and services beyond the cursory Android 13 update. Google Maps is getting a cool immersive search feature, while Search will introduce an expansion of its recently launched multisearch feature that incorporates location. We were also impressed by the new scene exploration tool coming to Google Search. Google Assistant is getting updates, too, that allow you to interact with the assistant without first having to say, "Hey Google."

You can watch a replay of the Google I/O keynote on YouTube that we've embedded below. And if you missed our live blog, you can get a minute-by-minute recap of all the announcements below.

Good morning, and welcome to Tom's Guide's Google I/O 2022 live blog. We'll keep you up to date on all the latest news from the conference as it happens — so bookmark this page and check back regularly.

Google I/O is traditionally Android’s coming out party, with Google showing off its upcoming software update during the I/O keynote, and kicking off a beta process that culminates in a release of the next version of Android toward the end of summer.

Android 13 may well launch in the same time frame later this year, but you can already get the first beta of this software update, provided you have a Pixel phone. Nevertheless, we’d expect Android 13 to get a big showcase during today’s keynote, especially if Google wants to talk up any features that haven’t gotten much attention yet.

My colleague Jordan Palmer has been spending a lot of time with Android 13, and he goes into today’s keynote hoping that Google addresses a thorny issue — just what exactly third-party apps can track about you on Android. 

If you read Jordan’s Android 13 wish list, you’ll find that he thinks the solution to what ails Android lies in Apple’s approach to the same issue with its iPhones.

To my way of thinking, there are two intriguing things about the Pixel 6a, which may or may not show up at Google I/O today. For starters, what will adding the Tensor chip to the Pixel 6a enable the budget phone to do? And how does the Pixel 6a stack up against the Samsung Galaxy A53?

The answer to the first question probably helps supply the answer to Question No. 2. Should it arrive now, the Pixel 6a appears at a time when it’s the Samsung phone that can claim to be better value among Android handsets, at least if our Galaxy A53 vs. Pixel 5a face-off is anything to go by. The Pixel 6a has its work cut out for it to topple the A53, and Google’s usual expertise with photography will only go so far.

As for potential Tensor powers, I tackled that topic a few weeks back when I wrote about the Pixel 6 features I hope to find in the Pixel 6a. Let’s just say that Magic Eraser — the tool for one-tap removals of unwanted objects and people from photos — had best make the grade.

There’s one hardware rumor that I don’t think will pan out for Google I/O 2022 and it involves the supposedly imminent launch of the Pixel Buds Pro. 

A few weeks back, leaker Jon Prosser said that the Pixel Buds Pro were set to debut soon, and even listed some colorways the wireless earbuds would appear in. Prosser didn’t specifically mention I/O in his tweet, but at the time, the developer conference seemed soon enough to fit the bill.

There’s only one problem with that line of thinking — we haven’t heard many details about the earbuds themselves. And that’s usually as good a sign as any that a launch won’t happen any time soon. The more rumors you hear about a product, the closer you are to a launch, at least in my experience.

Then again, given my experience with tech predictions, don’t be surprised should Sundar Pichai stride to the Google I/O stage today sporting a pair of Pixel Buds Pro.

If you want a stealth candidate for a Google product to make news at I/O, look no further than Maps, one of the software giant’s more popular programs. Maps has made frequent appearances at I/O keynotes over the years, as the crowd seems to get fired up by a helpful app gaining even more features.

Off the top of my head, the past few I/O keynotes have seen Maps add Google Assistant, adapt an incognito mode and work AR-guided navigation into Live View. What could be on tap for 2022? Your guess is as good as mine, but I’d predict something that leverages all that data Google’s collected about people and places to fuel some new Maps capability.

The Google Pixel Watch is a strong candidate to be revealed at I/O 2022 today, bringing to an end a lengthy wait for the company's first wearable. 

While we don't know for sure what it will look like or what its specs will be, we have a pretty good idea due to a multitude of leaks over the past few months.

The biggest of these, a couple of weeks ago, came when a Pixel Watch prototype was reportedly left in a restaurant. Yes, really. Assuming the images are genuine, it looks to be an attractively curved smartwatch with a near-bezel-less design and a couple of hardware buttons on the side. 

That prototype leak was just one of the many around the new Pixel Watch; keeping up with them has been almost a full-time job these past few months. 

Fortunately, you don't need to wade through hundreds of articles in order to know what to expect, because we've pulled together the 5 biggest Google Pixel Watch rumors so far in one handy primer. 

With Google's Wear OS 3 expected to get some stage time at Google I/O 2022 today, you may be wondering if your Android watch can run the software. Our Kate Kozuch has put together this handy Wear OS 3 smartwatch eligibility guide so you can check. 

If the Google Pixel 6a debuts today it will inevitably be compared to the new iPhone SE 2022. And that's because both Google and Apple will be vying for having the best cheap phone on the market. Well, the best cheap phone under $500.

Our Pixel 6a vs iPhone SE 2022 preview shows you how these phones are stacking up so far based on rumors and our iPhone SE 2022 review. Apple's phone is a pint-sized powerhouse, but the Pixel 6a should have a much larger display (6.2 vs 4.7 inches), an ultra-wide camera (the iPhone SE has just one) and a smoother 90Hz display. 

Stay tuned for more info.

TechDroider has a quick summary on Twitter of what to expect at Google I/O 2022 today, and it lines up with what we've heard. This includes the launch of the Pixel 6a phone and a possible tease of the Google Pixel Watch. So even though the watch may be shown today for the first time, it may not ship until the fall.

The tweet also says that we may see Android 13 Beta 2 rolling out and a build of Android 13 for non-Pixel devices. However, we would caution loading the beta on your primary phone. 

Google has long been rumored to be working on a Pixel Fold device to go up against Samsung's best foldable phones, and it's possible we could see a glimpse today of Google's first foldable. Or at the very least we could learn more about new foldable phone software features in Android 13.

Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4 is expected to debut in August, and today some new Galaxy Z Fold 4 renders have appeared that show off the design from all angles. 

OK, so this could be big. Mysmartprice has apparently spotted a Chromecast with Google TV device running on Android 12 on Geekbench. 

Given that the existing 2020 model of the device still runs on Android TV OS 10, this listing likely means one of two things — either Google is testing the current version so it can get an upgrade to Android 12 later this year, or there's a new Chromecast with Google TV model coming soon.

Both seem plausible, but we heard rumors in January that a new Chromecast with Google TV could be coming later this year, so for now let's say that the latter option seems more likely. 

That said, owners of the existing model would presumably hope it's the former, as Android 12 support could bring a host of new features including 4K UI support and refresh rate switching. Hopefully we'll find out soon either way.

Android 13 will likely make a big splash at today's keynote. But two of the more interesting tidbits we've seen in the first beta are the addition of Bluetooth LE audio and the possibility of Google's answer to Apple's Spatial Audio.

Combined with the support for MIDI 2.0 peripherals, Android 13 might be a major update for audio enthusiasts. We'll have to see what Google talks up today.

Back in March, 9to5Google reported that Google was working on a new Nest Hub smart display. The site claims that the new Nest Hub will feature a detachable tablet. The working theory is that it will operate as a way to interact with Google Assistant visually, but also as a media consumption device.

Details are pretty scarce, but we might hear more about it today.

Bear in mind that even if we just get a Pixel Watch teaser during the Google I/O keynote, there may be more than meets the eye to Google's smartwatch plans. Specifically, there could be as many as three Pixel Watch models in the works.

About two weeks ago, filings with the Bluetooth Special Interest group (SIG) revealed that there were three potential Pixel Watches. That could mean three versions of the same watch, only in different sizes or with different cellular bands for different regions. Or, more intriguingly, it could mean that Google is designing different models with different purposes — a fitness-focused watch versus a lifestyle-focused watch, for example.

It's an interesting question, and one we may not learn the answer to, even if Google does confirm that there's a Pixel Watch in the works.

There's a lot of focus on the opening Google I/O keynote at 1 p.m. ET today — and rightly so, since that's where the biggest news will be. But it's not the only keynote Google has scheduled for today.

Once the main keynote wraps up (we'd assume sometime between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET), Google hosts a developer keynote, presumably streaming on the I/O website. Traditionally, this keynote centers around the developer-focused announcements from the opening session, but in greater detail.

And then after that? More keynotes. Here's a partial list of the ones featured on the Google I/O agenda.

• What's new in Android
• The cloud built for developers
• What's new in Firebase
• What's new in Flutter
• AI and machine learning for developers
• What's new for the web platform
• What's new in AR
• What's new in Google Play
• What's new in Chrome OS
• What's new in Google Home
• What's new in Google Pay

If we were attending Google I/O in person like we did in the pre-Covid days, one of the pre-keynote highlights would be when Google broadcast games on the big screens hanging over the keynote stage. Just because I/O 2022 is largely virtual this year, we don't need to give up that element of fun — behold, the wonders of IO Pinball.

Yes, it's a game from Google built using Flutter, Google's open-source framework for multiplatform development. The game itself not only uses the mascot for Flutter, but also mascots from Firebase, Chrome and Android. You can use your keyboard controls to wile away the remaining hours before the I/O keynote, though honestly, I hope someone whips up a playable version of Karate Kat in the interim.

Some of the first pre-keynote pics are rolling in from Google I/O, and this one comes from Dieter Bohn, formerly of The Verge and now part of the Platform & Ecosystems team at Google. It's a reminder that the keynote will be held at the Shoreline Amphitheater for the first time since 2019 with a limited audience in attendance.

We're still roughly 90 minutes from Google I/O keynote time, but there's already some Google-related news out today. Google says it's working with Webex to bring a native web app version of the video conferencing app to Chrome OS. That should mean an easier time joining Webex sessions from your Chromebook in the future.

My colleague Tony Polanco has all the details on this Google/Webex partnership.

Heading into the keynote, let's quickly recap the biggest Pixel 6a rumors that are swirling out there, in the event that we get to see the new budget phone today.

Tensor processor: Like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 6a is likely to run on a Tensor chipset, that features a dedicated machine learning core. That could enable some very unique AI and photo features on the Pixel 6a.

New design: In addition to picking up the Pixel 6's silicon, the Pixel 6a is also likely to adapt its look, with the horizontal camera bar running across the back of the phone.

Photo features: The Pixel 6a is unlikely to add or subtract lenses — the main camera and ultrawide angle shooter will remain — so the biggest changes will be the computational photography features Google adds. We'd expect the new phone to support Magic Eraser, for example.

A bigger battery: Rumors predict a 4,800 mAh power pack for the Pixel 6a, which would be a slight upgrade over the Pixel 5a.

Apart from the Tensor news, those wouldn't be major overhauls. That gives us some hope Google can hold the line on the $449 it charged for the Pixel 5a, which would make the 6a competitively priced to both the Galaxy A53 and iPhone SE (2022).

We can neither confirm nor deny that Google-branded sneakers will be announced today.

Google bought Fitbit last year, and it's a pretty good rule of thumb that you don't spend $2.1 billion on a fitness tracker maker without incorporating that company's know-how into your own products. So it's likely no surprise that Fitbit could figure into any Pixel Watch that Google announces. 

As recently as last month, a Pixel Watch render included the Fitbit logo alongside the usual time, data and other complications. That's fueling speculation that Fitbit features could be incorporated into Wear OS.

All weekend long, the Android Twitter account has been running a poll on what update people are most excited to see at Google I/O. The options: security updates, messaging updates, cross-device updates, new partnerships. Our vote would be "new hardware," but nobody asked us.

For the record, cross-device updates leads the poll as we get down to the half-hour mark before the I/O keynote.

Is it too early to start talking Pixel 7? Yes, in the sense that Google's next flagship phone isn't going to be ready until the fall. But no, in that any Android 13 or Google Assistant talk during Google I/O might reveal more about the features coming to future phones.

If you'd like to whet your appetite for Pixel 7 news while waiting for Sundar Pichai to take the Google I/O stage, you can gaze upon these leaked renders that claim to show off Pixel 7 cases. Those are some mighty odd camera cutouts, if you ask us.

The Google I/O keynote feed is now live on keynote, and if you ever wanted to hear an electronica version of Zombie from The Cranberries, this is the pre-show concert for you.

Well, pack it up, everyone. Leaker Evan Blass just got the jump on Google I/O with a tweet listing the Pixel 6a specs.

Some of it's what we expected — there's that Tensor chip for the Pixel 6a that's been heavily rumored. Some of the specs will disappoint people, as the refresh rate of Google's budget phone appears to be stuck at 60Hz and the battery isn't as big as earlier rumors had suggested.

Edited: I initially jumped the gun and thought that Google was promising five years of software updates. Alas, a closer read suggests that it's only five year of security updates. While that's nice, it still raises questions as to whether Google can match the four years of software updates you get with the Galaxy A53 (and Samsung flagship phones).

Oh, and there's a Pixel 6a render from Evan Blass, too, if you prefer that sort of thing. The new phone looks a lot like the Pixel 6, which we were expecting. Now all that awaits is pricing and availability, which I bet we hear about during the keynote.

We've reached the countdown clock and preshow hype video portion of the show on the Google I/O live feed if you're wondering.

Sundar Pichai has checked in.

And we are underway from Mountain View, California (via the YouTube app on the Apple TV in my living room). Opening video is recapping Google's various problem-solving tools with email, cloud documents, photos and maps.

"After two years of starting meetings with my mic muted, I thought I'd check," says Sundar Pichai, performing an on-stage mic check.

Our Pixel 6a hub has been updated with the leaked specs if you want some light reading during Sundar Pichai's opening recap of Google's recent efforts in working with the government of Ukraine and directing people to Covid vaccinations. 

First announcement: Google is adding 24 new languages to Google Translate. That total includes some of the indigenous languages of the Americas.

Google Maps is next. After recapping how Google Maps has gotten more accurate in Africa, India and Indonesia with better building data, Sundar Pichai previews immersive view for Maps It's a 3D render that allows you to pan around cities to see the sights, traffic patterns and weather. You can even get interior views of nearby restaurants created by images. 

Immersive view is rolling out to Google Maps for select cities later this year.

Here's a YouTube improvement that builds upon the auto-generated chapters that Google added last year. Google's improving the process so that 80 million videos will have chapters for easier scanning. Auto-translation of captions in 16 languages is coming, too.

Google Docs is getting automatic summaries. Using natural language processing, the feature parses documents and pulls out the major points. The Auto Summary feature is also coming to Google Chat so you can get the key highlights of a group chat (helpful if you talk to people who tend to ramble). Pichai also says they're working to bring summaries to Google Meet as well.

Project Starline update: This is the next-generation video chat initiative Google previewed last year to make video sessions feel more like you're there in person. This year, Google is promising studio quality lighting for its Google Meet product and it's going to bring the natural skin tone progress it's made with computation photography to video chats, too.

We've moved on to improvements with Google Search. Following up on last month's introduction of multisearch — you can take a photo and ask a question at the same time — Google plans to add a Multisearch Near Me improvement. This will let you take a photo, ask a question and restrict the searches to location. Ideally, this will help you find available products at local businesses or find particular dishes that you crave at nearby restaurants.

Multisearch Near Me arrives in English later this year. It will be available in more languages over time.

Scene Exploration is another new search tool that lets you search with images when you shop to get more information about a product. The relevant information is then overlaid on the screen of your phone. Google pitches this as a way to find things like scent-free moisturizes in a drug store or nut-free food in a grocery store.

Going back to Real Tone — the initiative Google launched last year to make photos of people of color more accurate and realistic — Google plans to expand that across its products. "The world is a better place when technology works equally well for everyone," says Dr. Ellis Monk of Howard University, who's been working with Google on this topic.

Specifically, Google is using the Monk Skin Tone Scale across its products for more accurate reflection of skin tones. Google is using it internally on products like Photos and Search, rolling out improvements to images in Google Search. That includes filtering  results by skin tone, which can be helpful if you're searching for products like make-up and looking for complementary shades.

Real tone filters are coming to Photos to help with editing so that your photos are more reflective of real-world skin tones.

The Monk Skin Tone Scale is going open-source, so that anyone can use it in research and product development. 

It's time to talk Google Assistant. Google is introducing two new options so you don't have to say "Hey Google" whenever you want to summon the assistant.

Look and Talk lets you bring up the assistant by looking at your device and talking directly to it. In a demo, a Google executive looked directly at her Nest smart screen and asked for information on beaches in Santa Cruz, California — no Hey Google needed. Follow-up questions were quickly added, too.

Look and Talk is designed to work with different skin tones, too, part of Google's efforts to improve the inclusivity of tech.

Quick phrases are expanding. These are common requests you can perform without the hotword. (Think answering the phone or turning off living room lights.)

Google has been working on improving the assistant's ability to account for pauses and corrections. In a demo, a Google executive requested a song from "ummmmm.... Florence and the something?" The assistant was able to field the request, playing a Florence + The Machine song and even patiently saying "mmm hmm?" when the speaker paused.

LaMBDA is Google's conversation technology, and at I/O, Google is showing off LaMBDA 2. You can ask LaMBDA about any topic and get a pretty coherent, on-topic response, even when you ask follow-up questions. In a live demo of LaMBDA's AI Test Kitchen App, a Google executive tried to break down a complex idea into different steps and subtasks. "Plant a vegetable garden" produced a list of different tasks that you would need to perform.

Google is still getting feedback on LaMBDA and incorporating that into updated versions. But it illustrates the work Google is doing on AI and natural language processing.

Continuing with the AI demos, Google is showing off Chain-of-thought prompting. In this example, the assistant not only answers questions, but shows its work — particularly helpful for math problems.

It's called PaLM, and it works with languages, too, allowing the assistant to answer a question asked in one language in another language.

Our look at the new Immersive View feature in Google Maps is now live for your reading pleasure.

We've moved on to security and privacy in the Google I/O keynote. Some of that includes efforts with companies, but there's security efforts aimed at individual users. Specifically, Google is scaling phishing protections to Docs, Sheets, and Slides. If you're working with a document that has a suspicious link. Google will alert you and take you back to safety.

Two-step verification is going to be turned on by default.

Google's also talking up its involvement with other tech giants to move to a password-free future.

Google is introducing Virtual Cards that make online shopping safe. The idea is that when you buy something online, your credit card number gets replaced by a distinct virtual number. That saves you from having to enter sensitive data like your CVV number.

My colleague Roland Moore-Colyer has the details on Virtual Cards, plus other privacy and security news at Google I/O.

Google is launching My Ad Center later this year. It will give you more control over ads you see on YouTube, Search and Discover. You can choose to see more ads from brands and categories you like, while opting to see fewer ads from the things you're not interested. My Ad Center will be accessible from your Google Account or from the app itself.

Here's a tool that will be helpful if you've ever Googled yourself. (Admit it, you have.) If you find search results that have personal information like your home address or email address, you'll be able to easily request that it be removed in Google Search. That won't remove it entirely from the web, but it will make that data less easy to stumble upon. That feature's arriving in a few months.

The Google App is also going to add a one-tap feature that brings up more context about the website. The idea is that you'll be able to better judge the reliability and authenticity of the site (for instance, if you're searching for charities).

We're more than an hour into this I/O keynote and we're just now getting to Android. There are three big themes in Android 13 — enabling you to do more with your phone at the center, extending beyond your phone and making all your devices work better together.

Android 13 is built on Material You and there's a lot of customization. You can set different default languages for different apps, for example. 

A revamped Google Wallet is arriving, too, even ahead of Android 13. (It's arriving in the coming weeks, Google says.) It securely stores payment cards, but there will also be room for park passes, student IDs, vaccine information and the other kinds of information you'd keep in your physical wallet. That includes your state ID or drivers license — like Apple, Google is working with state governments to make this happen.

Emergency SOS features are going to Google's Wear software. The Earthquake Warning System that uses accelerometer data to detect shaking is coming to more regions, too. You only get a few extra seconds of warning before an earthquake, but Google says that can save lives.

As for beyond the phone, Google is now talking Wear OS. There will be more Wear OS watches coming this summer — no other details are available — but expect more apps, too, that will "bring the best of Android to your wrist."

Tablets are coming, too, and they're built on the latest Android releases. In a demo — which we presume is showing off the tablet-friendly Android 12L — a Google executive showed how Android is being customized for bigger screen devices. A demo of multitasking showed photo-editing and chat apps running side-by-side on a tablet, with the ability to drag the edited photo into a chat window.

More than 20 Google apps are being updated to take advantage of the big-screen functionality built into Android, so that they look good on Android tablets. Third-party apps are coming as well, and Google promises to improve app discovery on Google Play.

Now let's look at how Android is going to make different devices work better together. Google is working to extending casting capabilities to new products and partners, including Chromebooks and cars.

Phone Hub will be extended this fall so that you can access messages on your phone from your Chromebook.

You'll be able to copy a photo on your Android phone and paste it in tablet using a multidevice clipboard feature demonstrated on stage.

The Matter open-industry standard launches this fall. It connects Google Nest to many smart household products, and they'll be able to connect in seconds using Google's Fast Pair feature.

Mike Prospero has more details on what's changing with Google Search with the Scene Detection feature.

It's time to talk hardware, starting with a recap of the Pixel 6, the fastest-selling Pixel ever "even with the supply constraints." And that leads us to the the Pixel 6a, which you'd know about already if you've been reading this live blog.

Good news — the $449 price of the Pixel 5a is sticking away with the Pixel 6a.

You get a 6.1-inch display with the Pixel 6a, and yes, the camera bar from the Pixel 6 is on the A series phone now.

And of course, the Tensor chip will power this budget phone, so you get the same 5G connectivity as you do with the Pixel 6. Security features are the same, too. And performance should match Google's flagship phones, too, including faster machine learning models.

Camera features include Night Sight (take that, iPhone SE), authentic skin tones and — best of all, in my opinion — Magic Eraser. That features been enhanced so you can change the color of distracting images with a tap, returning the focus of the photo to the subject.

Tensor also supports the Live Translate and Recorder features on the Pixel 6a. (That includes on-the-fly transcripts of recordings.) All that translation and transcription happens on the device.

Security features include an under-display fingerprint sensor, M2 Titan chip and five years of security updates.

Google promises all-day battery life, too, but we've heard that before.

Pre-orders start July 21. The phone hits stores on July 28. That's a long-time to wait.

We're also getting a sneak preview of the Pixel 7's new look. The camera bar is back only the lenses look a little bit different. Turns out those leaked case designs we saw last week were pretty accurate.

A new version of Tensor will power the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro and they'll ship with Android 13 as you might expect.

Pixel Buds Pro are coming this summer, despite my confident prediction that Google wouldn't show these off. (Predictions are a mug's game.) They'll have active noise cancellation, the first time that's been available on Google earbuds. A 6-core audio chip runs Google algorithms to offer what Google thinks is the best ANC on any wireless earbud.

Silent-seal technology keeps the sound in, and a transparency mode lets outside sound in, too. Beam-forming microphones trained with machine learning pick up your voice.

Four colors for the Pixel Buds Pro, which cost $199. Like the Pixel 6a, they become available for pre-order July 21, with the earbuds going on sale a week later.

Google's Rick Osterloh is on stage to talk about Google's vision for ambient computing, which lets people access Google's services from anywhere.

As part of that, Google is flying releasing a smartwatch equipped with Google's assistant. The Pixel Watch is a rounded smartwatch that will offer tap-to-pay functionality and the ability to control smart home devices with a new version of the Google Home app.

Osterloh also promises deep integration with Fitbit on the Pixel Watch, which offers heart rate and sleep tracking. The watch will also be able to track fitness stats.

It's coming this fall with the Pixel 7, so expect plenty of details between now and then.

You won't see this next product until 2023, but Google is showing off a Pixel tablet that's designed as a companion for the Pixel phone. That's not a lot of detail, and to be honest, I thought we were going to get a sneak preview of the much-rumored Pixel Fold.

Sundar Pichai is out to wrap things up with a quick word on augmented reality. What gets Pichai excited about AR is that it gives us the ability to focus on the real world while still present you with information.

One AR example is language. Google is showing a video in which the company's skill with translation and transcription has been put in the line of sight of someone wearing AR-equipped glasses. Google describes it as "subtitles for the real world."

"Each year, we get a little closer to delivering on our timeless mission," Pichai says, as he wraps up a rather information-packed IO keynote.

The developer keynote is starting in 15 minutes — that's 3:15 p.m. ET/12:15 p.m. PT — but you'll have to follow that on Google's live feed.

Henry Casey has all the info on the Pixel Buds Pro that we've gleaned from today's keynote. Our Pixel tablet hub is live, too.

A few final reports from the first day of Google I/O. Here's a look at the changes coming to Google Meet, aimed at making you look better during video calls. And we have more to say about those prototype AR glasses Google showed off.

Wondering how the Pixel 6a compares to the flagship Google released last fall? Our Pixel 6a vs. Pixel 6 comparison breaks down the similarities and differences between these phones.

Hello, everyone, Marc McLaren here in the U.K. to continue our Google I/O 2022 live blog/recap. 

So it's the morning after Google's big day and we've all had time to ruminate on everything that was announced onstage. And it was a lot. 

From the Google Pixel 6a to the Pixel Watch to the Pixel Buds Pro to the Pixel Tablet and of course the Google Pixel 7, plenty of new hardware was either shown off or at teased at Mountain View.

On the software side, meanwhile, we also learned about Immersive View in Google Maps, Scene Exploration in Search, improvements to Google Meet and a fair bit more about Android 13.

And in one of the most exciting reveals — for me at least — we saw a prototype of some Google AR glasses that looked seriously cool.

So, where to start today? Well, the Pixel Watch seems like a good bet; it's the company's first ever smartwatch, after all, so quite a big deal. 

We've pulled together everything you need to know about it in our Google Pixel Watch hub, so head over there if you want a rundown of its features and when you'll be able to get your hands on one.

Plus, TG editor Kate Kozuch has also explained why the Google Pixel Watch looks so good she might switch to Android.

Moving on to the Google Pixel 6a, we've compared it one of its chief rivals in the budget smartphone space, the Apple iPhone SE. 

Find out how we think the battle is shaping up at this early stage in our initial Google Pixel 6a vs. iPhone SE 2022 face-off. 

Not everyone at Tom's Guide thinks the Pixel 6a vs iPhone SE competition is particularly close, though. 

In fact, global editor in Chief Mark Spoonauer has written here on why he thinks the Google Pixel 6a already blows away iPhone SE.

The bad news about the Pixel 6a is that you can't actually buy it until July 21. The good news is that it will only cost $449 / £399 when it does arrive.

We've got a full guide to how to preorder the Google Pixel 6a, so you can register for availability updates and plan your purchase. 

If you are thinking of buying the Pixel 6a you'll probably want to know what's changed from last year's 5a. The answer is quite a lot. 

We've rounded up all of the differences in our Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 5a face-off.

The other phone revealed at I/O yesterday was the Pixel 7. This was very much a tease rather than a full reveal, but we're already looking forward to learning more over the next few months.

Find out what we do know about it in our Google Pixel 7 hub.

One of the worst things about the Pixel 5a was that you could only buy it in a couple of countries. 

Fortunately, the Google Pixel 6a is fixing one of the Pixel 5a's biggest problems, as Richard Priday explains.

Our global editor in chief Mark Spoonauer sat down with Cheddar to talk about the biggest announcements at Google I/O 2022. He says that the Pixel Watch was by far the most exciting product shown off, and that it has the potential to beat the Apple Watch when it comes to health and fitness, thanks to Fitbit integration.

He also noted that while the Pixel Tablet itself doesn't look so great (big bezels) that the software changes Google is making to the Android interface and its apps should go a long way towards competing with the iPad. 

Check out the full Cheddar interview here. 

Wondering what to make of all the Google news from the past few days? Kate Kozuch has a recap of the Google I/O announcements.

Nearly a decade after the release of Google Glass, Google may have found a use for augmented reality glasses that doesn't make people point and laugh.

Wrapping up the Google I/O keynote today (May 11), CEO Sundar Pichai talked about Google's vision for AR. "The magic [of AR] will really come alive when you can use it in the real world without the technology getting in the way," Pichai said. "That potential is what gets us most excited about AR — the ability to spend time focusing on what matters in the real world in our real lives."

To that end, Google showed off a video featuring a pair of AR glasses that had the ability to superimpose real-time translation in the vision of whoever is wearing the glasses. Max Spear, a Google product manager, described the effect as "kind of like subtitles for the world."

In Google's demo video, a mother who speaks Mandarin is able to see her English-speaking daughter's words translated into her native language. The translation floats right in the line of sight without obscuring the speaker.

Google says the glasses draw on the work it's been doing for years on Google Translate, which also offers real-time translation features across multiple languages.

In addition to language translation, the glasses also would be of value to people with hearing impairments, allowing them to see a real-time transcript of a conversation or presentation even if they can't hear it.

The AR glasses look like ordinary eyewear, though the frames are on the thick side. Pichai described them as "early prototypes" and gave no hint as to whether they'll wind up as a commercial product.

Still, that may be beside the point of the demo. Google was showing off how AR can be more than cool parlor trick, enabling something that real makes a difference in other people's lives. And if you're skeptical of AR headsets and glasses, that kind of feature set may get you to change your tune.

Google is aiming to make shopping online via Android and Chrome a safer experience with the introduction of Virtual Cards. 

Announced at Google I/O 2022 today (May 11), the aim of Virtual Cards is to add an extra layer of security when it comes to paying for products you’re buying online. 

Android and Chrome go some way with this already by automatically filling in your details from a saved payment card in Google Pay. But with Virtual Cards, your card number will be replaced by a distinct virtual number. As a result, you won’t have to manually put in sensitive card details like the CVV number when you check out. 

This should help protect you from credential-stealing malware and phishing attacks that may have gotten access to your browser or Android device. It will also mean you can make payments in public without people snooping over your shoulder and glimpsing your private payment details. 

Effectively, Virtual Cards looks set to provide you with an extra bit of peace-of-mind when you’re shopping online, within a climate where scams and data-stealing tricks are common, this could be a boon for Chrome and Android users. 

Pushing privacy

But that’s not all Google is doing to keep you safe, based on today's announcements at I/O. The search giant is also bringing in an Account Safety Status in which your safety status appears in some apps, with a simple yellow alert icon on your profile picture that will flag actions you should take to secure your account.

Google users will now be automatically enrolled into 2-Step Verification (2SV), with the idea they can use another device to authenticate who they are, without relying on passwords

Google has also done more work to help you protect your privacy online, with a toolkit of technologies, from shrinking the amount of your personally identifiable data available, to blurring and randomizing identifiable signals to strip your identity from your data, and using techniques like end-to-end encryption and secure enclaves to prevent people for accessing your personal data, including Google itself.

Add in an update to search removal policies, which allow people to more easily request the removal of Google Search results containing their contact details. Also, My Ad Center will give Google services users more control over the adverts they see, voting down ads that aren't relevant to their interests. The intent seems to aim for an internet that's a bit more private and personal than before, should you take Google up on its new tools.

The Google I/O 2022 dates are confirmed. The annual developer conference is set for today and tomorrow, May 11 and May 12, taking place mostly online for the second consecutive year, though there will be a limited live audience for the main event.

Google I/O is typically where we learn about the newest Android software version, which in this case will be Android 13. Though the first Android 13 beta has landed, the software will likely be on full display during I/O with an extensive preview of the new features.

Google I/O 2022 latest news (updated May 11)

• Our Google I/O 2022 live blog is now up and running, so check in regularly as we preview what to expect and bring you any last-minute leaks and announcements.
• The Pixel 6a's launch is now "imminent" according to one leaker, so an announcement at I/O is looking more likely than ever
• We've rounded up the top 5 biggest rumors around the Pixel 6a and the biggest Pixel Watch rumors; meanwhile, a report claims that the Pixel Watch will have a 300 mAh battery. 

How to watch Google I/O

As an online event, Google I/O is open to anyone to attend. Google has set up a Google I/O website, which will feature a live stream of the event.

According to Google, the first day of I/O will feature keynotes and learning labs, while day two will include on-demand technical sessions. If you're not a developer, the highlight of Google I/O will likely take place today (Wednesday, May 11) when the main keynote begins at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST. A developer keynote will follow.

The I/O site contains the full Google I/O agenda and we've also put together a full guide to how to watch Google I/O 2022. And of course you can also follow our Google I/O 2022 live blog for up-to-the-minute news from the event.

Google I/O 2022: Pixel 6a

After focusing on software in recent years, Google I/O could turn it attention to hardware in 2022. One of the likely candidates is the rumored Google Pixel 6a, which would be a throwback to previous years in which Google rolled out a low-cost complement to its flagships (in this case the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro). Here's a look at the Pixel 6 features we hope will appear in the Pixel 6a.

The latest sign that something could be in the works came right from the top when CEO Sundar Pichai hinted that we might hear something Pixel-related at I/O this year. The Pixel 6a did just hit the FCC recently, and has more recently been rumored to have an "imminent" launch, with production having allegedly started in several factories. If so, then Google I/O fits right in line with the timing.

Google I/O 2022: Pixel Watch

We're also expecting some announcements around Wear OS, which last year promised a total revamp for the best smartwatches for Android. Though the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the only smartwatch out now with the latest Wear OS version, models from Fossil are due to upgrade. 

We could hear more about full availability during Google I/O 2022. Who knows? Maybe we'll get a Pixel Watch teaser, especially with the copious amount of leaks that have appeared recently, such as the battery size for the new watch. At any rate, you can prep for the smartwatch's potential appearance by reading up on the biggest Pixel Watch rumors just ahead of Google I/O.

Google I/O 2022: Android 13

As for Android 13, Google got the jump on its own developer conference by releasing the Android 13 beta in April (Here's how to get Android 13 beta 1 on your Pixel phone.) We'd still expect an extensive rundown of Android 13 features, even though we're already discovering some of the highlights, such as a faster QR code scanner and the return of device controls to the lock screen. Expect more Android 13 details to emerge from I/O.

Google I/O 2022: Chrome OS

Chrome OS will probably see some noteworthy updates too. New Chromebook software features could make some of the best laptops for students or simply using Google services even better. At the very least, there should be some additional functionality in Android 13 that benefits the Chrome OS experience. But we'll have to see.

Google I/O 2022: Outlook

Google I/O is just hours away now, so buckle in for all kinds of news and leaks leading up to the event. Google I/O will be free for anyone to watch virtually. All you have to do is register here.

Keep it locked to Tom's Guide for all of the latest Google I/O news as it happens and make sure you bookmark our Google I/O 2022 live blog for expert news and analysis about everything Google announces.

Watch a Google I/O 2022 live stream today and you'll see the usual software-centric fare you'd expect from a developers conference. But you might get a glance at some new hardware from Google, too.

Traditionally, Google uses its I/O conference to showcase the latest changes in software like Android or Wear OS, services like Gmail or Photos and advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning. But Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google parent company Alphabet, suggested in late April that hardware announcements were in the works for this year's event. And we'll find exactly what's in store later today.

Interested in seeing the new hardware Google's cooking up? Want to find out the latest Android 13 news now that the first beta of the mobile phone software update is out? It's all going to be available during the Google I/O keynote. And watching the live stream of the event guarantees that you'll see every announcement out of Google I/O as it happens.

Here's a guide on where to watch the Google I/O 2022 live stream and what you can expect to see once the event gets underway.

Plus, don't forget that you can also follow it all with us in our Google I/O 2022 live blog. It's already up and running, so bookmark it now and check in regularly as we preview what to expect and bring you any last-minute leaks and announcements.

What is Google I/O?

Google I/O is the software giant's annual developer conference. It's been held annually since 2008, with one notable exception: In 2020, Google cancelled the event because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last year, Google I/O returned, but as a completely virtual event. The 2022 edition of Google I/O will be mostly online, too, though a small number of people are attending in person.

As a developer conference, Google I/O largely focuses on code and the nuts and bolts of Google's vast array of software and services. App makers use the multi-day event as a way to get hands-on time with Google to make products for Android, Chrome, and whatever other platform you can think of. 

However, Google I/O opens with a keynote where the company spells out to a broader audience new and updated software. That's the portion of I/O that draws the most attention from the wider world.

When is the Google I/O 2022 keynote?

Google has scheduled the Google I/O 2022 keynote for today (Wednesday, May 11), at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST. That event marks the beginning of Google I/O, which will run two days this year — May 11 and May 12.

Immediately after the opening keynote, Google will then hold a developer-centric keynote, likely going to software changes at greater depth. That keynote gets underway at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. BST.

You can get a full list of all the keynotes, learning labs and technical sessions at the Google I/O website.

How can I watch a Google I/O 2022 live stream?

The Google I/O page will have a live feed of the event that anyone can watch. Google has also posted a keynote stream on YouTube that will go live at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT today (Wednesday, May 11).

What should I expect from Google I/O 2022?

Android 13: As noted above, Google tends to showcase its various software and services at I/O, with special attention paid to the next version of Android. In the past, I/O has marked the public debut of the latest Android beta, but this year, the Android 13 beta is already out, as Google works to get that update ready for a release later this year.

Still, the Google I/O keynote will be the first time Google can really go into depth on the new features and enhancements coming with Android 13. So far, much of what we've seen has been geared toward developers, as they work to update their apps for the new software. However, highlights in the first Android 13 beta include support for spatial audio, upgraded Bluetooth LE support, previews of copied text that you can edit and a new Photo Picker.

In addition to Android 13, expect some of these other products to share the Google I/O stage, perhaps centering around Assistant.

Pixel 6a: Wait, didn't we just say that Google tends to focus on software at I/O? Yes, but the Pixel 6a might be an exception, as Google uses the spotlight from its developer conference to launch a new version of its budget phone.

The Pixel 6a is expected to switch to a Tensor chipset like the one used in Google's Pixel 6 flagships, so talking about the new phone at Google I/O will give the company a chance to showcase its machine learning-powered features. The Pixel 6a is also expected to adapt the distinctive look of the Pixel 6 while continuing to sell for less than $500.

Pixel Watch: This is the other piece of hardware that's widely expected to appear at Google I/O, though it may just be a preview of this long-awaited smartwatch from Google. One rumor suggests Google may show off the watch now, but wait until the fall to release the wearable alongside the Pixel 7 flagships.

Pixel Watch leaks show off a rounded design with a crown and two buttons on the side. Rumored features included sensors that can read heart rate, ECG and body fat percentage, much like the Galaxy Watch 4, which also runs on Google's Wear OS. (And yes, expect to hear about an updated version of Wear OS, too.)

We could see up to three different Pixel Watch models, each with different specs or their own focus. Think of one watch aimed at the fitness sector, while another courts the lifestyle market.

Pixel Buds Pro: In the past week, leaker Jon Prosser has said that a new version of Google's wireless earbuds is arriving soon, which would seemingly line up with the timing of Google I/O. The trouble is, there have been very few leaks about these buds, other than speculation they'd add more advanced features like active noise cancellation and spatial audio support. We'd consider this more of a longshot announcement compared to the Pixel 6a and Pixel Watch.

More software and services: Google is a vast company with a lot of different offerings — everything from the Chrome OS and Chrome browser to YouTube streaming and its G Suite of cloud-based office apps. Any one of those entities could demand stage time during I/O's keynote. 

Recent keynotes have introduced features to Gmail, Google Maps and Photos — widely-used software where new capabilities would be of interest to the vast majority of people tuning in to the I/O keynote. For that reason, you can probably bank on one or more of those offerings claiming a share of the spotlight. Similarly, there's been a lot of activity on the mobile payments front, with rumors that Google is looking to revive its Wallet offering as a digital wallet complement to Google Pay transactions — that might be announced at I/O as well.

But the most likely possibility involves new capabilities for Google Assistant. At recent I/Os, Google has show off how its assistant can book appointments over the phone and recognize text in photos — capabilities that worked their way into features on Android phones. These are attention-grabbing demos that show off Google's mastery of AI and machine learning, and we'd imagine Google's not going to pass up an opportunity to let us know about more advances in this area.

Update: Qualcomm just teased the potential CPU for the Google Pixel Watch

While rumors certainly suggest a Google Pixel Watch could be announced as soon as this week, there’s another smartwatch announcement I’m curious if we'll hear during Google I/O 2022.

Google will likely dedicate a portion of its annual developer conference keynote to Wear OS (or simply, Wear) smartwatch software. Last year, the software received a significant overhaul thanks to a kind-of merger with Samsung’s Tizen, which we saw materialize on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.

But no other smartwatch on the market is running the unified Wear platform as of this writing. Yet, there are a number of eligible Wear OS 3 smartwatches out there — any model running the Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset supports the latest software version. 

The Fossil Gen 6, Skagen Gen 6, Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro 3 and the TicWatch E3 are the current list of Wear OS 3-eligible devices. Not a very large selection, I know… but that could change soon.

What I’ve heard from third-party smartwatch makers is that it’s up to Google when these smartwatches will be able to upgrade to Wear OS 3. I think it seems convenient to set an official upgrade date for those devices while announcing the other new Wear features slated for this year during I/O on Wednesday, May 11. (You can watch the Google I/O 2022 live stream starting at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday.)

The last time Google shared Wear eligibility news was in November 2021, and at that point the company said the widespread rollout would take place this year, which we’re now almost halfway through. 

When considering the best smartwatches for Android, I’d like to see more options with the latest chipset and software. The previous version of Wear OS suffered several bugs and paled compared to software on the best smartwatches from Apple, Garmin and Fitbit. 

It’s difficult to know just what a smartwatch is capable of until I see it with the most up-to-date software. For example, at least half my reception of the yet-to-be-announced Apple Watch 8 will come from watchOS 9. 

It's possible Google has waited to roll out Wear OS 3 to third-party smartwatches, having its own wearable hardware approaching launch. There have been many Pixel Watch rumors in recent weeks speculating an I/O-timed reveal alongside the Google Pixel 6a.

I'm not confident that we'll see devices at I/O this week. I could be wrong, but sticking to Android 13 and other software news seems more sensible for a developer conference. That said, Google could tease the Pixel Watch while presenting Wear OS upgrades, including an official date for Wear OS 3 to arrive on more smartwatches. 

Be sure to follow our Google I/O coverage to see whether there's good news ahead for third-party Wear OS 3-eligible smartwatches.

The rumored Google Pixel Buds Pro could be revealed as soon as Google I/O on May 11, going by the rumors so far. But aside from a few tidbits of information and speculation, we don’t have much of an idea what features the next-gen wireless earbuds could have. 

However, tech journalist and commentator Mishaal Rahman tweeted it would not surprise him if the Pixel Buds Pro, which may also be considered third-generation Pixel Buds, come with spatial audio tech and head tracking support, given the work Google has been doing there with Android 13. 

Rahman also noted that there’s BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) audio support in Android 13 now, which could also be a feature of the Pixel Buds Pro. And we think Rahman may be onto something here. 

While the original Google Pixel Buds and the Pixel Buds 2 impressed us, they missed out on winning a spot on our best wireless earbuds list. So there’s still some scope for improvement, especially if they were to take on the likes of the AirPods Pro.

Spatial audio, which basically aims to make music and movie audio more immersive by creating 360-degree soundscapes, is one such feature. The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max support spatial audio, so it’s an area where the Pixel Buds and other wireless earbuds could muscle in on. 

The audio tech also needs content mastered in 5.1, 7.1 or Dolby Atmos surround sound formats to work. But if Google could give the Pixel Buds Pro some tech to up-mix audio sources — not beyond the realms of possibility give Google’s AI work — then it could bring something extra to the wireless earbuds table.

Head tracking support could be used to offer some fitness monitoring features, say detecting when someone is walking or running and bypass the need for a smartwatch, though the Google Pixel Watch is supposedly on the horizon. And such tech could also aid with spatial audio to ensure that sound is always coming at the earbuds’ wearer from the correct direction even if they move around a lot.

BLE audio, on the other hand, promises to deliver improved audio quality over wireless connections, thanks to more efficient data packaging and transfer, as well as establish better and multiple connections between earbuds and their host device. So if the Pixel Buds Pro have that standard of Bluetooth, they could offer notably improved sound quality over their predecessors.

If Google is indeed working on new wireless earbuds, and it nails the audio formula, as well as introducing new smart features, then the Pixel Buds Pro could offer a pair of impressive wireless earbuds worth stopping and listening to.

You may have missed the news tucked away at the end of Google’s I/O 2021 keynote earlier this week, but the software giant took a step toward tackling an issue that has plagued image processing since the advent of color camera technology. Google wants to make mobile photography more inclusive, with more beautiful and accurate images of people of color.

To that end, Google is teaming up with a diverse group of image experts to make the company’s camera and image products better. From there, its engineers are working to improve the accuracy of auto white balance and auto exposure algorithms using diverse image data. The results should result in more accurate images of people, with an emphasis placed on those with darker skin. 

• These are the best camera phones out right now
• Google Pixel 5 review
• Plus: Android 12 release date, beta, new design and all the biggest features

Google's efforts will come to the Pixel phone first, with the Pixel 6 introducing the improve algorithms in the fall, but Google plans to offer the improved computational software to other Android camera phones. 

The news hits close to home for me. My wife is dark skinned. I’m a few shades lighter. Our four kids are gradations between us. Our mix-up means we all don’t photograph the same. Sure, the Pixel 3a took great pictures, but there would be times, however, where it failed to appropriately capture a given moment. My wife’s beautiful skin didn’t always look right. Her natural afro puffs would blend into the background. Our farer-skinned children would stand out unnaturally next to their darker-skinned siblings. This wasn’t the case for all photos as some pictures fared better than others.

This sort of thing isn’t new, but can be fixed with “proper lighting.” And it isn’t an issue that’s solely linked to the Pixel line of smartphones either — my Samsung Galaxy S21 also has this issue — as I’m sure other phones struggle as well. This is why hearing about Google’s latest efforts excites me. We’ll potentially be able to take photos that properly depict how we look, all in one family photo. 

You can get the complete outline of Google's photo plans in a video featuring engineers talking about the process. Essentially, Google’s engineering team made changes to computational algorithms, making it easier to see dark skin. This also helps the company’s devices pick up different hair textures. Instead of blending in with the background, cameras will be able to better differentiate curly hair. In the end, Black and Brown people will be naturally photographed — no adjustments needed. 

Current photography, both intentional and not, tends to lean toward fairer skin. According to Zippia, a majority of software engineers in the U.S. are made up of white men. A plurality of Asian men likely make up engineering teams in Japan, China and Korea.  Whether it’s a facial recognition app or what’s supposed to be one of the world’s best mobile cameras, people of color aren’t usually a priority. 

Google is looking to change things. This won’t fix everything, but Google has stated that its engineers are still working to improve its photography based-tech in hopes of better representing people of all skin tones. As a Black person who loves to take and share photos of his family, I’m looking forward to what the company has in store.

• More: Android Auto getting big upgrades to take on Apple CarPlay

The changes in Android 12 are pretty massive. In fact, this is the biggest upgrade to Android since 2014's Lollipop update.

The first beta for the software update is available now and we already have a quick guide on how to install Android 12. If you own a supported Pixel, the process is quite simple and painless. In a few minutes, you can try out Android 12 for yourself and marvel at the new look for Google's phone software.

• Android 12: Everything you need to know
• How to change the Material You color in Android 12
• Plus: Android 12 is taking privacy seriously with a new dashboard and more

My full Android 12 impressions are coming shortly, but I wanted to take some time to walk you through the five biggest changes you'll notice when you finally get Android 12 on your phone later this year. We anticipate a full Android 12 release arriving around September, based on the timeline Google's shared.

Android 12 lock screen

Google has changed up Android's lock screen for the first time in a very long while. It adapts to what you have pending — if there are no notifications, you'll see a big, centered clock. But if you have items waiting for you, the clock will move up and to the left to make way for upcoming tasks and alerts. It's a really neat look, and the Always-on Display (AOD) feature also reflects this change and behavior.

Honestly, I love the new lock screen, especially when there are no new notifications to contend with. The huge clock is really nice to easily see at a glance — especially in AOD. Having the date and weather info in the top left corner also looks really sharp.

Android 12 notification shade

We've seen subtle changes to the Android's staple notification shade for years, but Google has really stirred things up with Android 12. This all-important center to see and act upon your notifications gets a significant face lift. 

The notification shade now features a more rounded look, more than we've seen in previous Android 12 builds. Each item is clustered together based on category (Conversations, Notifications, Silent), but it's done so quite well. The shade doesn't feel cluttered at all, even when you have several items pending.

I wasn't a fan of the revamped notification shade when I first saw it during the Google I/O keynote, but the change quickly grew on me. The updated notification shade uses space more efficiently than extra padding between each item. And if you favor smaller devices, like the Pixel 5, it's important to use your screen space wisely. The new shade adds a lot of polish to something so critical to Android's workflow.

Android 12 Quick Settings

Quick Settings has gotten a huge redesign from the bubbles we've been used to for so long. They're now rounded rectangles in your accent color of choice with full labels. 

Google mentioned specific buttons for GPay (that's Google Pay) and Home, too, though I haven't seen them yet in the first beta. It's definitely a new look for the toggles menu.

I'm quite ambivalent on this change. On the one hand, the shapes and colors feel cartoony. Then again, the effect looks quite nice and I like the much larger buttons. The extra space allows for the bigger labels, telling you what network you're connected to and all that. Even the brightness slider got retouched.

Android 12 Settings

Even the Settings menu has gotten a redesign in Android 12. Each menu has a large, colored icon and a clear label in a big font. There's not a whole lot else to say about this particular enhancement, but you will notice it when you try out Android 12 for yourself. 

I'm once again torn on this new visual. The Settings menu looks really nice, but it also feels a bit cartoony and a bit too much like Samsung's One UI skin for my taste. I do like the bigger labels, though. Something about it just looks good.

Android 12 Material You

Ever since Android 5.0 Lollipop way back in 2014 (with the Nexus 6), Google has named its design language Material Design. The word "material" has stuck around and Google calls the new iteration Material You. Yeah, that's a little corny, but the point is to help you make your phone feel like it's truly yours.

Some changes will be subtle, like widgets and system elements tweaking their color palettes based on your wallpaper. Others look to be more direct, like the changes we've talked about above. 

Overall, Material You is obviously still a work in progress, since the first Android 12 beta is missing some of the new features at this point. (We're expecting plenty of updates to the beta over the summer.) But I like where Google is going and I'm excited to see where we end up with the final Android 12 release later this year.

• More: Android 12 will let you start your car with a digital key

Samsung’s plan to shed the Tizen OS from its Galaxy Watches has been rumored for a while now, and thanks to Google I/O we know that for certain.

Both companies confirmed this new smartwatch OS — a combination of Samsung’s Tizen and Google’s Wear OS — today during I/O 2021. Simply called ‘Wear’ for now, this joint effort will provide several benefits to consumers. That includes longer lasting batteries, smoother animations, a special version of Google Maps and more. 

• The best smartwatch for every budget
• OnePlus Watch review
• Plus: Wear OS just got a huge overhaul, thanks to Samsung and Fitbit

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 will also benefit Fitbit’s fitness tracking and health-based features. It isn’t that shocking considering Google acquired Fitbit in 2019 for $2.1 billion. What is interesting is Samsung stating that Wear OS will be used in all of the company’s future wearable devices. There’s already been some speculation that Samsung is releasing more than one smartwatch this year.

Samsung has done a great job with its watches, as evidenced by our Galaxy Watch 3 review. The company is still looking to compete, and this partnership with Google could be the best shot it has of dethroning the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7. At the moment, the Apple Watch Series 6 sits atop our best smartwatches list. While the Galaxy Watch 3 was well received by fans and critics alike, the Galaxy Watch 4 is being positioned to offer a better, richer experience overall. Not only that, but fans might be able to pick from different versions at varying price points.  

Unfortunately, Samsung’s past smartwatches won’t be able to use the new Wear operating system. The company stated that previously released wearables can’t be upgraded to use Wear. Those watches will still continue to use Tizen with Samsung issuing updates for the next three years.

Here’s hoping that Samsung reveals the finer details about its upcoming smartwatches sooner than later. One could assume a price point of $400, based on past iterations of Samsung’s wearables. Unfortunately, a release date has not yet been announced. 

• More: Wear OS will need a lot more than Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to succeed

Android 12's first beta is here. Like we predicted, Google is opening up the list of devices that can try out the new software to include 10 different phone makers. 

That means even more devices and people can try out this radical shift in Android's interface, performance, and privacy. You're not limited to trying out the updated operating system on one of Google's Pixel devices.

• Google I/O 2021 recap: Everything Google announced
• Best Android phones
• Plus: Wear OS just got a huge overhaul, thanks to Samsung and Fitbit

Of course, installing the Android 12 beta on a Pixel device is probably the easiest method for trying out the software update. We've got a guide on how to install the Android 12 beta on a Pixel phone, but the quick instructions are to go to the Android Beta program page and confirm you have an eligible device. From there, it's simply a matter of opting in, and checking for a system update.

Getting the Android 12 beta on a third-party phone is a bit more complex, as each phone maker has their own approach. Here's a list of the phone makers that have instructions for installing the Android 12 beta, with supported models where we have that information.

• Asus (Zenfone 8)
• Google (Pixel 3 and later)
• OnePlus (OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro)
• Oppo (Find X3 Pro)
• Realme (No device info available
• Sharp (No device info available)
• Tecno (Camon 17)
• TCL (TCL 20 Pro 5G)
• Vivo (iQOO 7 Legend)
• Xiaomi (Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11I,  Mi 11X Pro)
• ZTE (ZTE Axon 30 Ultra 5G)

That's a  substantial list, with some familiar names on it. Rest assured, I've already installed Android 12 Beta 1 on my Pixel 5 pronto so that I can dig into what's new.

The Google I/O 2021 keynote delivered a ton of Google news, ranging from Android 12 and a completely new Wear OS to innovations in Google Maps, Google Photos, shopping and more. 

Google CEO Sundar Pinchai promised there would be "significant product updates and announcements" and Google lived up to the hype in some ways. However, those hoping for a Google Pixel 5a or Pixel Buds A appearance will be disappointed, as there was no new Google hardware launches during Google I/O, save for a few allusions to Pixel phone releases in the fall.

Here are the biggest Google I/O 2021 announcements, and check out the entire live blog below. 

Google I/O 2021 highlights

Android 12: Google debuted a new Material You design for Android 12 that will debut later this year with the new Pixel phone, likely the Pixel 6. The interface is sleeker and also more customizable; for example, you can change the entire theme color based on the photo wallpaper you choose. 

Android 12 is also gettin a redesigned Quick Settings menu that will make it easier to access various options, and you'll be able summon Google Assistant with a long press of the home button. Android 12 is also getting a new privacy dashboard to give you more control of what apps can access what data. Other highlights include a built-in remote control for Google TV, an AirDrop-like feature for ChromeOS and Digital Car Key for using your phone as a key for vehicles. 

Learn more about Android 12 and all the new features. 

Wear OS: This is the biggest news of Google I/O. Google is completely revamped Wear OS, working with Samsung to merge the best bits of its own OS with Tizen. The goal is better performance, longer battery life and an overall improved user experience.

You'll get access to the Google Play store, Google Pay, Google Maps and an overall interface that's more intuitive and faster to use. Google is also bringing Fitbit integration to the platform for fitness tracking, and Fitbit itself will be making Wear OS watches.

Here's everything that's new with Wear OS.

Project Starline: Holy crap! Google may have invented the next Zoom. Project Starline takes communication to the next level by leveraging hi-resolution cameras and cutting edge compression techniques to capture 3D models of callers in real time. You'll feel like the person you're talking to is sitting right across from you.

Take your first look at Project Starline right now.

Google Photos: Cinematic Photos is coming to Google Photos, and it animates your still shots in a new way by filling in the gaps between the multiple pics you take. It's creepy and cool, but maybe more the former? Plus, Google will be analyzing your photos to offer Little Patterns, groups of photos around a theme or place or shapes to help you relive similar moments. 

These are just some of the biggest announcements at Google I/O 2021. See all the news below. 

• Google Photos is getting a killer update to make it easier to find images
• Android 12 release date, beta and all the new features 
• Plus: Google Pixel 6 and Pixel Fold were just found in Android 12 beta

If you want a run-down of what's expected at the keynote today, our Google I/O preview will take you through what's expected for Android 12, the Pixel 5a, the Pixel Buds A and the Pixel Watch.

We're expecting the Google Pixel 5a to be one of the things Google announces today. And in our opinion, the success of the Pixel 5a will all come down to one thing: pricing. 

Android 12 is the only dead cert for Google to cover today at I/O. We've been trying out the various beta versions of Android 12, and have rounded up all the new features here.

We aren't expecting to hear much about the Google Pixel 6 at I/O. What we may hear about however is its new "Whitechapel" chipset, to prepare us (and more importantly app developers) for Google's new hardware design.

Google's already accidentally revealed the Pixel Buds A in a tweet, but today might be the official debut of these budget earbuds. Learn more about what we already know here.

Today may see the reveal of Google's first smartwatch. This is what we've heard so far about the Pixel Watch.

Google's Wear OS platform for smartwatches is getting some airtime today for its newest features. But while Google's software is rumored to be powering the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, Wear OS will need more than a new partner if it wants to be a serious competitor. 

Android 12 may be getting more substantial features, but its new look is quite a departure from the current version. Have a look here.

We should expect some Google Assistant news at I/O today, both in terms of Android 12 and Google's smart home products. One of the big changes that's been rumored is new methods of activating the assistant without using the classic "OK Google" wake word.

The Google I/O keynote kicks off at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST, and you can watch right here or on YouTube. 

If you haven't checked it out yet, Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech has a video breaking down what he says is the first "official" look at Android 12. Check out all the new design and features, and we can compare everything against the real thing later today. 

Here's some good news. According to The Verge's Dieter Bohn, Google I/O 2021 will reportedly be live as opposed to a live stream of pre-recorded content. And should make for a more interesting presentation. 

Wear OS should definitely take center stage at Google I/O 2021, as Google has published a teaser on Twitter saying that "It's almost time" to tune into the keynote with the image of a smart watch. That's a strong hint that smartwatch news is in the works.

We don't know if we'll see a Pixel Watch teased today, but it's already been leaked that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 will be running Wear OS. 

Google I/O 2021 is starting soon, and and it's free for anyone to virtually attend the keynote. Check out the official Google I/O schedule for the keynotes as well as breakout sessions. 

Google I/O is about to get underway. But first, a very creepy AI music experience! 

Google I/O is live and the company's CEO Sundar Pichai is talking about how Google is providing high-quality info to help people around Covid and find accurate info around vaccines. 

Google is introducing two new features in Google Maps, including eco-friendly routes. This can reduce car emissions and fuel costs. There's also going to be Safer routing, which will use AI to help pick you the best route, such as having less sudden stops. 

Google is introducing a new feature called Smart Canvas for collaboration, which is designed to reinvent how we work. You can share a document that everyone can use to share their ideas. 

There's assisted writing capabilities built in, which includes language suggestions. In addition, Google Meet is going to get integrated to Google Docs this fall. There's also tools like voting tables people can uses. 

A new companion mode is coming to Google Meet. It gives everyone a remote tile, and it integrates tools like polls on the right hand side of the window.

Google Meet is also getting smarter with improved lighting and noise cancellation. You'll also be able to rearrange attendees' tiles on the fly while keeping your presentation up. Other features include live transcriptions and even translations. These upgrades are coming later this year. 

Now Google is talking about advancements in Google Search. Translation is first up. Usage is up four times with Google Assistant translation versus last year. Sundar says we are getting closer to a universal translator.

Image recognition is another big area of focus. Google Lens is being used over 3 billion times each month.

With voice recognition and text-to-speech, Google can live caption anything on your phone locally. WaveNet has allowed Google to deploy 51 voices in Google Assistant.

Google Assistant is getting smarter with LaMDA. It's in research and development and is designed to help with natural language conversations.

In example, the Google team had an actual conversation with the planet Pluto. For example, Google asks if it had any visitors and it responded with the New Horizons spacecraft. However, it's creepy to see Pluto talk about itself in the first person. 

The beauty of LaMDA is that it synthesizes concepts based on data. It's an open-ended dialogue. Conversations never take the same path twice. 

You can even talk to a paper airplane. Seriously. For example, if you want distance you really need a nice wide wing span. 

LaMDA's natural language capabilities will likely be coming to Google Assistant, Search and Google Workspace, and Google will also be working with developers to help build out the models and make the system more useful. 

Google's image and video search is also getting smarter. For example, not long from now you will be able to say "Show me the part where the lion roars at sunset." when watching a video. 

Google has announced its new TPU V4 pods. It has a mind-blowing exaflop of computing power, and they will be operating in Google's data centers. 

Google is rolling our a new quantum computing initiative with a special campus. The goal is to show the future of computing. Google is approaching near absolute zero in some of these facilities to protect its qubits. 

The goal is to create an "error-corrected quantum computer." It's all about advancing the state of the start.

Google is now pivoting to security and privacy. Jen Fitzpatrick, an engineer at Google, is talking about how bad passwords continues to be a threat. Google is trying to create a password-free future. Google's password manager is used by half a billion people, and it's getting better.

Google is announcing four new upgrades. It's now easier to get started, so you can import passwords from other managers. Plus, the integration of Android and Chrome for passwords is getting better. Automatic password alerts are also coming. And there's a quick fix feature in Chrome to help you navigate to compromised passwords and change them in seconds. 

Google claims that it never sells your information, which appears to be a retort to Apple's recent moves with iOS 14.5. 

Google is announcing new privacy controls in its apps. For example, in Google, you can now delete recent search history from your account directly from Google Search.

You can also turn off Location History in Google Maps. And there's a Locked Photo feature coming to Google Photos; the photos are saved separately and it's password-protected. 

Next up is Google Search. Prabhakar Raghavan, senior vice president at Google, is talking about unlocking information in new ways using what's called MUM. 

MUM can Acquire deep knowledge of the web; it generates languages and trains on 75+ language at once; and it understands multiple modalities. 

I've hiked Mt. Adams and now want to hike Mt. Fuji next fall, what should I do differently to prepare. Now Google can understand that you're comparing two mountains, and it could recommend gear based on the weather (like a waterproof jacket) based on the location and time of year.

MUM can understand different types of information. For example, you could take a picture of your boots and ask if these are right for hiking Mt. Fuji. "The goal is to solve more complex questions no matter how you ask them."

Google Lens is getting a new capability to help people learn. For instance, you can take a photo of a math problem, and Google will translate the answer and information in your language. 

Google is bringing some of the world's best athletes in AR straight to you. For example, Google has a demo of gymnast Simon Biles, so you can see some of her best routines right in front of you. Or you could see Megan Rapinoe juggle a soccer ball right in front you so you can see how it's done. 

Google is building features to help you understand the credibility of information directly within search. This is one weapon to fight misinformation on the web.

Google is starting to roll out About This Result across more search results so you can evaluate information before you even click on that result. And it's going to be adding more info to site profiles over time. 

Google Maps is beefing up Live View. Its adding virtual street signs, and it will point you to key landmarks (including your hotel room). Indoor Live view is also coming, which will help you navigate areas like train stations. 

Google Maps Street Views are also getting a lot more detailed. You'll be able to see crosswalks and more. It's coming to 50 cities by the end of this year. Google Maps are getting smarter based on the time of day; for example, you'll see nearby breakfast places in the morning in Google Maps and restaurants in the evening.

Google Maps will soon also be able to tell you how busy certain areas are in real time, such as in Rome. Area Business will be rolling out later this year. Google promises that this feature will protect user privacy. 

Google Shopping is getting a bunch of upgrades. A new Shopping Graph brings information together, such as prices, reviews, videos and more. It will be able to access 24 billion listings across the web.

Google Lens can turn the world around you into a personal showroom. For example, you can take a picture of a patio chair and see if it's in stock. There's also going to be a search with Lens option when you're looking at a screenshot, which a lot of people use to save favorite products.

Google Chrome is also getting more shopping savvy, as it can display your open carts across the web. Google says this will remain private. Google can also integrate with membership cards so you can take advantage of discounts at retailers.

Thanks to AI, Google Photos is getting a bunch of new features to help you relive your favorite moments. Little Patterns is one new feature, which will surface photos based on what you've been snapping and where. For example, you might see adventures with your backpack, or photos over time of you on the couch with your family.

Cinematic Photos is also coming. It's kind of like Live Photos from Apple, but Google fills in the gaps between still images to animate them. It brings your photos to life but in a slightly creepy way. All of these upgrades are coming this summer. 

Android 12 is up now! Google is rolling out a new design language called Material You. It's designed to give you more control and customization options. It's a "radical new way to think about design."

Material You is coming to the Google Pixel this fall. You'll be able to tailor the look and feel of the interface based on your mood. In fact, Android 12 is shaping up to be Google's "most personal OS" ever.

Android 12 is clearly a bold departure for Google. Google calls it "the biggest design change in years." 

There are three big themes. Smart phones are deeply personal. The OS needs to be secure by default and private. And our phones need to work better with other devices.

Color is a big theme for Google Pixel. For example, if you change the wallpaper on your phone, the system creates a custom palette for the interface. This is coming to Google Pixel in the fall.

The design is more playful with dynamic lighting. So for example, the screen will illuminate from the right side out if you press the power button. 

The Quick Settings space is getting redesigned, too, so you'll see Google Pay and smart home controls. And you can now activate Google Assistant just by long pressing the power button. 

Up next is security and privacy in Android 12. Google has created a new privacy dashboard to tell you what sort of data was accessed and when. You can also easily revoke an app's permission from the dashboard.

Plus, there's a toggle in quick settings to disable the camera and microphone for all apps at once.

Private Compute Core enables things like Now Playing for music and Smart Reply for messages. All of this happens on the device itself and is isolated from the network. 

Chrome OS will work better with Android 12. Soon you’ll be able to access your phone’s recent photos, which reminds us of AirDrop 

Google is also building remote control features into your phone using Android TV or Google TV. So you’ll be able enter passwords on your TV without endlessly scrolling.

Android Auto wireless is also coming with no more cords. And Digital Car key is coming, which works with NFC and ultra wideband. You just walk up to your car and you’re in. Car Key is launching this fall with select Google Pixel and Samsung phones. 

Google is announcing the biggest update to Wear OS ever. It’s a new unified platform focused made in partnership with Samsung. It designed to combine the best of Wear OS and Tizen.

App load times are 30% faster, and Google is promising better battery life. Other highlights will include access to the Google Play store, so you'll be able to download apps directly from the watch. 

Wear OS now offers better navigation between apps. For example, you can just double press to get to Spotify from the Strava app to change tracks, then get back to your run.

Google is also expanding its selection of tiles. You can customize your home screen carousel how you want. 

The wearables app experience is also getting better with turn by turn directions with Google Maps, Google Pay integration and the ability to download music on the go with YouTube Music. 

Fitbit is also coming to Wear OS with deep integration into the platform. This is big news and is an important step towards Google better competing with the Apple Watch. The idea: bring the best of Fitbit to Wear OS. You'll be able to track your progress through the day.

More big news: Fitbit will be building smartwatches based on Wear OS. So Fitbit's OS looks like it will be getting killed off at some point. 

As part of Android 12, Google is making changes to its computational photography to bring out natural brown tones in those with darker skin tones. Google is also working to more realistically render hair in order to be more inclusive. 

Google is working to make mammography better through AI. It's collaborating with Northwestern Medicine on an investigative device that could prove to be a breakthrough. 

This new research scans the mammogram image and flags images to help patients. The goal: prioritizing patients that need care first. AI could help clinicians to triage patients.

In addition, Google is developing a dermatology tool that will allow you to upload up to three images. You'll get a match of dermatologic conditions, thanks to AI. The tool will be accessible through your browser and cover 288 conditions. It's coming to the EU as early as the end of this year. 

Sundar Pichai is back to talk about Project Starline. Its available in just a few Google offices. You can see someone else you're speaking to and feel like they're in the same room as you. 

Google uses hi-resolution cameras to capture your shape in a real-time 3D model. Thanks to 100x compression and a new light field display, you get the feeling that you're sitting across from someone. It's amazing and creepy, and looks like the future of communication. This could be the next Zoom. 

Google is looking for multiple ways of being greener and reducing its carbon footprint. The company is partnering on a new geo thermal power project and its building a new campus with a sunlight panel skin. Sustainability is a big theme for Google.