Google I/O 2024 Unfolds Next-Gen AI and Android Insights

The developers’ season has officially started, and we’re just days away from Google I/O 2024. The short answer to what to expect is simply two letters: AI. Google I/O? More accurately, Google A/I. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been staples in almost every Google announcement for the past several years, but this time, you might find yourself overwhelmed with the topic by the time CEO Sundar Pichai exits the stage.

The event kicks off on May 14 at 10 a.m. PT with the main keynote—the one that springs to mind when you think of Google I/O. “Discover how we’re advancing our mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” says Google. This is the keynote that once famously featured skydivers promoting an innovative piece of augmented reality technology, Google Glass, which has become a daily part of our lives.

A few hours later, at 1:30 p.m. PT, the developers’ keynote will take place. Google describes this session as follows: “Learn about Google’s newest developer tools and discover how they fuel innovation and enhance your productivity.” This might get technical, especially if you’re not versed in development skills.

For the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on the former.

The Future of Pixel: What’s Next for Google’s Hardware

New Pixel devices are unlikely to take center stage at this year’s event. In a departure from previous years, where new handsets were a highlight, Google has already unveiled the Pixel 8a earlier this week. This move was unexpected, especially since the budget-friendly device is set to start shipping on the day of the keynote.

While the Pixel Fold was a highlight of last year’s Google I/O, this year the buzz is about its rebranding. Rumors suggest that instead of releasing a Pixel Fold 2, Google is expected to introduce the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This new name, somewhat lengthy and cumbersome, seems to hint that you might need an actual fold-out screen to fully appreciate it. It’s anticipated that this rebranded device will be officially announced in the fall, alongside the other models in the Pixel 9 series.

Will we see any new hardware at all? It’s possible we might receive updates on some of Google’s past concepts. For example, what ever became of those translation glasses? And what about Project Starline? I experienced this sleek experimental teleconferencing system at last year’s event, but since then, all has been quiet for the past 12 months.

The Nest product line also seems to have been on the back burner for a while. This could suggest that Google is stepping back from the smart home market as it starts to decline. Alternatively, it might be gearing up to introduce something new—a development many would be eager to learn about at the press conference. Another intriguing question surrounds Google Gemini: what does its introduction mean for Google Assistant? Is Gemini set to replace the Assistant, or will the two be able to coexist peacefully?

Whether Google addresses the Assistant’s future or not, it’s clear that Gemini will take center stage. The company has significant expectations for its generative AI platform, as it aims to outshine major competitors like OpenAI’s GPT and Microsoft Copilot. There’s a real possibility that we might see an entirely new version of Gemini unveiled next week. Furthermore, we can expect to see deeper integration of this platform into various Google services such as Maps, Chrome, and Android.

Deep Dive into Gemini and Android 15 Innovations

Last month saw the developer preview of Android 15 emerge. Google is likely to provide a more comprehensive overview of its next mobile operating system during the event. We should anticipate seeing some significant new features, especially with deep Gemini integration planned for the OS.

In addition to Android 15, we are likely to catch glimpses of new versions of Google’s other platforms, including Wear OS, Android TV, and Android Auto. The event will probably also highlight more AI developer tools, further showcasing Google’s commitment to expanding its AI capabilities across its ecosystem.

Google Pixel 8a – Same price, but better.

This launch has been so quiet, but there will be more to here at Google I/O.

In the meantime, here are the highlights:
– 120 hz
– New/unique design
– Slightly larger battery
– Same price, which was expected to increase
– Etc.

For… pic.twitter.com/fjgNAg0LWo

— BenIt Bruhner Pro (@BennettBuhner) May 9, 2024