Developer season has officially begun, and we’re now just one day away from Google I/O 2024, set to take place at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View. The primary focus of this year’s event can be summed up in two letters: AI. Indeed, Google I/O might as well be called Google A/I this year. While artificial intelligence and machine learning have featured prominently in Google’s announcements over the past several years, this time you can expect AI to dominate the conversation from start to finish.
The main event kicks off today, May 14, at 10 a.m. PT, with a highly anticipated keynote presentation. According to Google, this session will center around “how we’re furthering our mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” This keynote has historically been marked by memorable highlights—who could forget the skydiving demo of Google Glass?—setting the stage for what lies ahead.
Later in the day, at 1:30 p.m. PT, the Developer Keynote will take place. Described by Google as an opportunity to “learn about Google’s newest developer tools and discover how they fuel innovation and enhance your productivity,” this session promises to delve into the technical details that drive development, albeit it may be a bit dense for those without a technical background.
For the purposes of this article, our primary focus will be on the former keynote.
New Pixel devices are not expected to make an appearance at the event. Unlike in previous years when the company dedicated stage time to unveiling a new handset, Google preemptively revealed the Pixel 8a earlier this week, taking the element of surprise out of the equation. This move is particularly interesting, considering that the budget device officially begins shipping on the day of the keynote.
Last year’s I/O saw the debut of the Pixel Fold, but current rumors indicate that the foldable device is set for a significant rebranding. Instead of being introduced as the Pixel Fold 2, it is anticipated to be named the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a considerably more complex moniker. The elaborate name seems almost fitting for a device with a fold-out screen. This rebranded device is likely to be announced in the fall, in conjunction with other Pixel 9 models.
As we look forward to upcoming developments, one might wonder whether there will be any new hardware announcements. It’s possible we could receive updates on previous concepts. Take, for instance, the translation glasses; their status remains uncertain. Additionally, Project Starline, the sophisticated experimental teleconferencing system I experienced at last year’s showcase, has seen little news in the past year.
The Nest product line has seemingly been on the back burner for some time. This raises the question: has Google stepped back from the smart home market due to dwindling interest, or is it gearing up for something innovative? A pressing topic we’d love to see addressed at the press conference is the impact of Google Gemini on Google Assistant. Will Gemini completely replace Assistant, or is there a potential for both to coexist harmoniously?
Google is poised to spotlight its generative AI platform, Gemini, regardless of whether the Assistant conversation surfaces. The stakes are high for the company, which must demonstrate that it has outperformed notable competitors like OpenAI’s GPT and Microsoft Copilot. There’s a strong likelihood that we’ll witness an entirely new iteration of Gemini in the coming week. Additionally, expect to see deeper integration of the platform into key services such as Maps, Chrome, and Android.
Last month, a developer preview of Android 15 made an appearance. It’s anticipated that Google will provide a more comprehensive look at this upcoming mobile operating system. Significant new features are expected, particularly with extensive Gemini integration.
Furthermore, previews of updated versions of Google’s other platforms, including Wear OS, Android TV, and Android Auto, are highly likely. The event will almost certainly feature more AI development tools, underscoring Google’s commitment to advancing its AI capabilities.
