Google I/O: Where to watch, expected announcements, and everything else
Google I/O 2018, the tech giant's annual developer conference, will start on May 8 (10:30 pm IST) and end on May 10. The proceedings will kick off with CEO Sundar Pichai's keynote address at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. Just like every year, Google will make several crucial announcements, expectedly on Android P, Google Assistant, Chrome OS, AI, and other privacy-focused updates.
Google I/O 2018 will be live-streamed worldwide
You can catch the entire event live from the Google I/O 2018 website, the Google Developers YouTube channel, or the Google I/O 2018 mobile app on both Android and iOS.
Next major Android P preview with back-end improvements, speedier operations
Google has already released the first developer preview of Android P earlier in March. The OS has been optimized for dual camera setups and notches and features smart replies on the notification bar. It will also prevent background apps from accessing a device's camera and microphone. The I/O 2018 is expected to witness Android P's second developer preview, with new OS updates being revealed.
A new Google Home model is likely to be announced
The Google Home smart speaker range already has three models: Google Home, Google Home Mini, and Google Home Max. These rival Amazon's Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus smart speakers. Now Google might also take on the Amazon Echo Spot screen-enabled smart speaker by launching its own Home speaker variant with a smart display. Google Home was recently launched in India for Rs. 9,999.
Google's advanced virtual assistant could see new partnerships, skills, capabilities
The company's smart voice-enabled digital assistant Google Assistant is set to receive a host of new features at the Google I/O 2018. First, it will most definitely get new Actions for smart speakers, as has been highly demanded by users. Further, going by the conference's theme of "Beyond Mobile," developers might finally see Google Assistant-powered smart displays.
Developments in wearables, tablets
Google recently rebranded Android Wear to Wear OS, and made Google Assistant compatible with smartwatches. The company is expected to announce Wear OS integration with more watch brands. Further, Acer recently launched the world's first tablet to run the Chrome OS. This means it has finally broken out of laptops and notebooks and convertibles and the event might see some developments on that front.
Upgraded Google Lens 2.0; new in-car experience with Android Auto
Google Lens is a visual search engine that can recognize your images and then directly search the web for more information on it. It's been rolled out to the Google Photos app on all Android devices and might see new features. Further, Android Auto, Google's smart car compatible app, will update navigation features and get Google Assistant, Google Play Music, and Google Maps integration.
Major buzz around Daydream VR platform and AR development tool
Google's Daydream platform, which aims to make VR more social, has seen its first standalone VR headset with the Lenovo Mirage Solo. Now Google might introduce new mobile-ready VR headsets to take on Facebook's Oculus Go. ARCore, Google's AR app development SDK on Android, is gaining support on AR apps. Now, Google might make more devices compatible with ARCore and improve its functionalities.
Putting more AI power into the hands of developers
At the conference, Google might talk about Chat, its new unified messaging service for Android which will directly compete with Apple's iMessage, and its new social gaming startup Arcade. The event will put a lot of emphasis on AI vis-à-vis Google Lens and Google Assistant.
