It’s that time of year again. Google’s annual I/O keynote is upon us. This event will likely be filled with updates and announcements. We’ll be covering all the news as it happens and you can stream the entire event below. The keynote begins at 1:00 PM ET on May 14 and has streams available via YouTube and on the company’s central page.
As for what to expect, the rumor mill is running overtime. There are multiple reports that the event will largely focus on the Android 15 mobile operating system, which seems like a given since I/O is primarily a developer event and the beta is already in the wild.
So let’s talk about the Android 15 beta and what to expect from the full release. The beta includes an updated Privacy Sandbox feature, partial screen sharing to record a specific app or window instead of the entire screen, and system-level app backups to free up space. There’s also improved satellite connectivity, additional in-app camera controls, and a new power efficiency mode.
Despite the already existing beta, it’s very likely that Google will drop some surprise announcements for Android 15. The company has confirmed that satellite messaging is coming to Android, so maybe that will be part of that event. Rumors also point to that Android 15 will boast a redesigned status bar and an easier way to monitor battery health.
Android 15 won’t be the only thing Google is discussing at the event. There’s a little acronym called AI that you may have heard of, and the company is all in on it. It’s a good thing Google will spend a lot of time announcing updates to its AI Gemini, which could eventually replace Assistant entirely.
Back in December, it was reported that Google was working on an AI assistant called Pixie as an exclusive feature for Pixel devices. The branding is certainly on point. We may hear more about it as it may debut in the Pixel 9 later this year.
Google’s most popular products may also get an AI-focused redesign, including Search, Chrome, G Suite, and Maps. We may get an update on what the company plans to do about third-party cookies, and perhaps throw AI at the issue as well.
What should we not expect? Don’t expect a Pixel 9 or a revamped Pixel Fold for this event, as the I/O is more about software than hardware. We’ll likely get details on those releases in the fall. However, rules are made to be broken. We got the Pixel Fold announced at I/O last year, so maybe the line between hardware and software is blurring. We’ll find out soon enough.
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