Google I/O is imminent. This is the annual developer event and product showcase where Google shows off all the shiny new updates to its Android operating system and other platforms, as well as new features and improvements to its artificial intelligence models.
The big announcements at Google I/O usually come in the form of a livestreamed keynote event at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, hosted by Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. That starts on Tuesday, May 19, at 10 am Pacific time (1 pm Eastern). You can watch the livestream on Google’s website or on YouTube. It will also be streaming right here on this page.
What to Expect
On the announcement front, Google actually tipped its hand last week, unveiling a bunch of new features coming to the upcoming Android 17 operating system and its ongoing Gemini AI efforts, which it now calls Gemini Intelligence for the most advanced Android devices.
Many of the new Android features highlighted are AI-infused tricks that aim to make your life a little easier by offloading onerous tasks like booking a hotel or ordering an Uber. Google is also bringing more robust voice-to-text recognition, some autofill smarts, and enhanced digital well-being settings that you’ll turn on for a day and then probably just disable. Also, there is a new look for Android Auto, and Google is making its emojis look more 3D. You can read more about these capabilities here.
The company also announced its new Googlebook platform: AI-first laptops powered by various Android technologies, but it’s very different from a Chromebook. Google won’t share too many specifics yet, but these machines are expected to be premium laptops, and companies like Acer, HP, Lenovo, and Dell have already signed up to make Googlebooks by year’s end. We have more details here.
We’ll likely hear Google touch on these features at I/O again, but these were unveiled early to make room for more new software announcements during the keynote. You can usually count on a surprise announcement or an AI demo that goes completely off the rails.
Based on the ever-swirling rumor mill, Google likely will announce more updates to Search, undoubtedly powered by AI. There may also be updates to its creative Google Labs suite, such as its AI music creation tool Flow. Google may introduce a new Gemini model for video generation, expected to be called Omni.
Last year, Google announced a new Gemini-powered Google Home smart speaker and said it would launch sometime in the spring of 2026, so Google I/O would be the time to make good on that promise and maybe announce a launch date.
While I/O is primarily a software-focused event, Google is heading toward an inevitable crop of new hardware. The company has been building out its Android XR platform, which it is positioning to power smart glasses from companies like Samsung, Xreal, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker. Google already said last week that I/O will feature a sneak peek at its smart glasses, and we may learn when in 2026 these devices will finally go on sale.
Follow along during the event on WIRED’s liveblog, and stay tuned for many more stories about everything Google announced.
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