Google I/O 2024 announcements — all the big Gemini AI and Android 15 news

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Sundar Pichai wide shot
(Image: © Google)

It's time for Google I/O once again, and this year Sundar Pichai and others from Google's leadership team announced all kinds of AI-powered goodies from the stage at Mountain View, Calif. With less fanfare, Google also detailed changes to upcoming versions of Android and Wear OS.

Not surprisingly, though, the focus on Tuesdy was almost entirely on software and AI, such as Google Gemini and its various applications, and what's coming to Android. Unlike previous Google I/O keynotes, this one didn't involve hardware announcements or teases of any kind. Previously, it was believed we could get an early look at the Pixel 9 series or the Pixel Fold 2, which some are calling the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but none of it happened.

A couple of Tom's Guide reporters were at Google I/O in person for the first day of the developer conference to relay what they saw and heard, while the rest of us watched along with Google's live feed of the I/O keynote, which got underway at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. BST. You can read our reaction to what was announced below as well as scroll back through our live blog timeline to catch up on every moment of the keynote as it happened.

Biggest Google I/O Announcements

  • Project Astra: Google just unveiled the AI assistant of the future with Project Astra, which uses video you capture with a phone and voice recognition to deliver contextual responses to your questions. One demo showed someone using Project Astra to help them solve a coding problem using a camera, while also tracking down where they left their glasses from earlier.
  • Google Workspace: Gemini is being rolled out to even more popular Google services, like Gmail, which can summarize emails that are part of a longer email chains. There's also a smart reply feature that will allow Gemini to deliver more contextualized replies after analyzing your email conversations.
  • More AI in Android: While Google didn't directly show off or mention features specifically about Android 15, the company did share how more AI features are coming to Android. For example, there will be a broader roll out of Circle to Search. There's also an AI feature called TalkBack for Android that's more of an accessibility tool to announce descriptions of photos for those who are blind or have limited eyesight.
  • Google Search: Searching with Google is getting a tremendous boost with new Gemini features such as faster answers with AI Overview, creating a travel itinerary, and the ability to use video to solve problems.
  • Google Veo: Using generative AI, Google Veo can create realistic, detailed 1080p videos based on your request. Meanwhile, Imagen 3 can generate images based on text prompts.
  • Android 15: The second Android 15 beta is out, and Google has highlighted some of the features coming to your phone later this year. Top additions include Private Space, an area for hiding sensitive apps; Theft Detection Lock, which taps into AI to determine if your phone has been swiped; the ability to added passes to Google Wallet with a photo; and AR content in Google Maps. Here's more on Android 15 beta 2, including how to get it on your Pixel phone.
  • Wear OS 5: The big story with Google's newly unveiled wearables software is improved efficiency. Google says that the new version will preserve 20% more battyer life when running a marathon than Wear OS 4 did. You'll also get new metrics such as Ground Contact Time, Stride Length, Vertical Oscillation, and Vertical Ratio.

Google I/O 2024 live stream

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Google Pixel 8a.

(Image credit: Future)

We expected to see the Pixel 8a debut at Google I/O today, but Google had other plans in mind. Instead, it announced the Pixel 8a last week — no doubt to clear the stage for all the AI talk we’re going to hear later today.

We may not have a Pixel 8a demo, but we’ve got the next best thing — a Pixel 8a review. And it sounds like this phone really impresses, thanks to its Tensor-powered AI features in a sub-$500 device along with Google’s extended software and security support.

android tracker deetction screenshots

(Image credit: Google)

Google had some news to announce in conjunction with Apple ahead of Google I/O. The two tech giants have teamed up to boost cross-platform protections against someone trying to monitor your location with a Bluetooth tracker. 

Should you be on the move with an unknown tracker along for the ride, you’re going to get an alert on your phone about that device, regardless of the platform its paired with. Previously, iPhone users would see alerts for Apple AirTags that were monitoring them without their knowledge, but not necessarily other trackers paired to Android devices.

The feature’s included on the just-released iOS 17.5 update for iPhones, while Google’s adding support for any Android device running Android 6 or later.

Google Pixel Fold shown in hand

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

At last year’s Google I/O, the Pixel Fold made its debut giving Google a foldable device that could take on the leading foldable from Samsung. Indeed, in our Pixel Fold review, we praised its thin, durable design and wide cover display. (A feature Samsung may adopt for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6, incidentally.)

We don’t expect to see the Pixel Fold 2 previewed at this year’s Google I/O, and not just because Google appears to want to keep the focus on AI. Rather, it’s because of a rumor that the next Pixel Fold might get folded into the Pixel 9 lineup and rebranded as the <