We’re sliding into developer convention season and one of many greatest occasions on the upcoming calendar is Google I/O. This 12 months’s version is taking place on May 19 and 20. As common, the in-person ingredient will occur in Mountain View, California, although lots of the keynotes and classes will probably be livestreamed. Google will certainly make its greatest bulletins throughout the opening keynote, which is able to begin at 1PM ET on Could 19. A developer keynote will happen later the identical day.
As ever, the rumor mill will choose up pace within the leadup to Google I/O. We do have some concepts about what Google will talk about on the occasion. So let’s check out what to anticipate at Google I/O 2026 (we’ll replace this story as we hear extra credible rumors).
What’s formally on deck
Google I/O emblem (Google)
When it confirmed the dates for this 12 months’s I/O, Google revealed somewhat bit about what it has in retailer for us. As you may think, AI will probably be a significant focus of the occasion. Google plans to share its “AI breakthroughs and updates in merchandise throughout the corporate, from Gemini to Android, Chrome, Cloud and extra,” it wrote in a blog post in February.
There will probably be information on Gemini mannequin updates in addition to agentic coding. Google can have some product demos too.
The corporate has launched its initial schedule of keynotes and classes, however it would not present us with a variety of specifics as but. It has lined up discussions on what’s new within the likes of Google Play, Firebase (a cell and internet app growth platform), the Gemma open mannequin household and the open-source app growth framework Flutter. Apparently, there is not a devoted session for Android XR on the schedule simply but.
What to anticipate
Leaked picture of Google’s Aluminium OS (9to5Google)
There have not been many credible leaks forward of Google I/O as but, however we will make some educated guesses about what to anticipate from the occasion. It is all however sure that we’ll get extra particulars about Android 17 at I/O. Builders want time to tweak their apps forward of the subsequent main model of the working system rolling out to everybody in the event that they wish to make the most of new options as quickly as doable, and so they invariably get a heads up about these at I/O yearly. (That mentioned, Google has been shifting away from a giant annual launch strategy in favor of juicier Pixel Drops/Android updates, so we could not see a few of the new options it unveils at I/O for a while.)
As for different working methods, Google is planning to meld ChromeOS and Android into a unified platform. This appears to be the venture that is being known as Aluminium OS, which we received a first glimpse of earlier this year due to some leaks. I/O looks like the proper venue for Google to begin displaying that off to the general public.
On the AI entrance, a reveal of Gemini 4 may very well be on the docket, together with particulars of the most recent Veo text-to-video mannequin. Possibly we’ll hear extra about Project Astra, Google’s pitch for a common AI assistant.
If Google has some client {hardware} to point out off at this 12 months’s occasion, I believe it will be an Android XR system or units, fairly than a Pixel cellphone or watch. There’s a probability that we’ll get a tease of the Google Pixel 11 lineup. However do not be stunned if we do not see that or the Pixel Watch 5 till Google’s devoted {hardware} occasion, which has taken place in August or October in recent times (Google will wish to keep effectively away from Apple’s iPhone occasion, which is able to doubtless happen in September as common).
Right here’s hoping for a giant shock or two
Positive, Android updates are all effectively and good. If Google insists on cramming Gemini and different AI instruments into all of its instruments and providers, we’ll not less than hearken to what they must say about all that.
However I’ve my fingers crossed for some cool surprises. Give us one thing new from Google X (Alphabet’s moonshot manufacturing facility, not the factor that was as soon as Twitter), an concept that may very well be a internet profit for humanity and enhance the corporate’s backside line on the identical time. These occasions are at all times extra enjoyable when there’s one thing for us to get genuinely enthusiastic about, even when it’s one thing comparatively area of interest however on the market, just like the Google Beam 3D video conferencing tech.
