Google may have gained some momentum from last fall's Pixel 8 launch, but the tech business is all about what a company's done for us lately. And Google is going to get a chance to answer that question in May when Google I/O 2024 is set to begin.
To be exact, Google I/O 2024 kicks off May 14, and the annual developer get-together should reveal the big things the company is working on after the release of the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2 last fall. While hardware continues to be an integral part of the focus, where Google has been receiving the most attention of late is around artificial intelligence.
We saw that first hand with Google AI assisted features such as Magic Editor and Best Take for the Pixel 8 series, but in a surprising turn of events, Google’s been tapped to power other AI experiences on rival devices — like the recent Galaxy S24 lineup. Circle to Search is one the more profound features on those phones brought together with Google’s help.
Here's everything we know about Google I/O 2024!
Google I/O 2024: Dates
Grab your calendar and get out a pen, because the Google I/O dates have been announced, and it's happening May 14 and 15. This year marks a return to a multiday event, after Google I/O 2023 wrapped up in a single day.
Google I/O 2024: How to watch
Similar to last year’s schedule, you should be able to watch the keynote and the subsequent on demand content directly from the official Google I/O site — along with Google’s official YouTube channel.
Google has already 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 8a
Google I/O is usually when we first hear about the company’s affordable Pixel; the A-series. We were first introduced to the Pixel 7a during Google I/O 2023, so we could presumably see its successor in the Pixel 8a at Google I/O 2024. Here's another sign the Pixel 8a is on the way — Google dropped the Pixel 6a from its online store.
Leaks about the phone are picking up now that we're closer to I/O. After seeing renders that indicated minimal changes to the Pixel 8a’s design, we've now seen more leaked images of the device, including a Pixel 8a photo inadvertently posted by a wireless carrier. In the remaining weeks before Google I/O 2024, we should get more concrete details about the phone beyond what we've heard so far about its Tensor G3 chipset and a potential boost to the phone's display refresh rate and brightness.
What’ll be interesting to know is what and how many AI-powered features will make their way to the affordable Pixel. We're also eager to find out how much the phone costs, especially with one rumor suggesting a price hike is in the works.
Google I/O 2024: Pixel Fold 2
After a solid try with its first foldable phone last year with the Pixel Fold, 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 segment 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.
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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