In the tech world, developer conferences are like birthdays. These mega events take place every year and remind us of the rhythm of life and that time is a never-ending cycle. Things will be no different at Google I/O 2024.
This year we’re expecting a lot about Google’s push into AI and where Gemini will venture next. We expect Google to share a glimpse of upcoming Pixel hardware, including the highly anticipated one Pixel 8a (Who would have thought that society would demand an affordable mid-range smartphone?) and what’s new Android 15. We’ll also find out if Google is planning anything in the “augmented reality” meta space.
How to tune in to Google I/O 2024
Please don’t make a drinking game out of the Google I/O 2024 keynote – especially not out of how often Google CEO Sundar Pichai says the word “AI.” The start time on May 14, 2024Is 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. You can watch it live on Google website or Youtube. You don’t have to register for the conference to watch.
If you’re making a drinking game out of what’s likely to be a two-hour keynote, I suggest you enjoy a green smoothie or kombucha instead.
Expect so much Gemini AI
It has always been Google eager on the subject of artificial intelligence. The company has spent the last decade extolling the wisdom of its machine learning algorithms and how they improve the products you interact with every day. This year’s Google I/O is likely to go a step further since the company has done so has shifted its resources significantly to focus on what AI like Gemini can do with all existing consumer-facing products.
Over two dozen sessions are available to Google I/O developer attendees, including those focused on Gemma. I am particularly excited about this workshop Automate tasks in Google Workspace – that’s what I would expect Gemini to be used for in the first place.
Expect Pixel hardware
Google’s annual developer conference isn’t typically an event that showcases hardware – at least it hasn’t used to. In recent years, Google has used the conference as a venue to either test what’s next or to launch its next-generation “cheap” phone. Last years Google I/O 2023 gave us that Pixel 7a, Pixel tabletAnd Pixel fold.
This is what most Android faithful expect to see Pixel 8a will hit the shelves after the keynote ends. The smartphone is expected to reflect that Pixel 8 but with a smaller price tag. Maybe we’ll hear from someone else Pixel tablet without dock. It would also be nice if Google let us know if it plans to release it Google Pixel Fold 2 at the same time as that Pixel 9 later this year. We will see.
Expanded reality?
There was chatter about whether Google will make a big splash for its “extended reality” platform, also known as Android XR. Meta Horizon OS opened to third parties this week, which should make for an interesting race if and when the two “immersive” platforms launch. But so far my colleague Kyle Barr and I can only decipher the following from the meeting list Google Maps There are updates to share that have nothing to do with Android XR. Again, we’ll see.
How to follow Google I/O
You can take a look at this Sessions are streamed live on the Google I/O website starting May 14th. You can also point your browser here at Gizmodo, where we cover everything coming out of Google’s annual developer soiree.