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Google uses I/O to give developers a first look at what’s new for Android, the hardware that will support it, and all the next-gen software and technology the company is tinkering with behind the scenes.This year’s Google I/O kicks off on May 14 with a live-streamed keynote beginning at 10 a.m. PT. In the pre-pandemic era, I/O was hosted in large event spaces like Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheatre with thousands in attendance. Google says this year’s keynote will be held in front of a much smaller live audience with talks and sessions available to watch online live or later on demand. The company has now published its schedule of keynotes and technical sessions, which gives us an even better idea of what to expect. How to Watch Google I/O 2024If you’re not part of that small live audience, Google will livestream all the keynotes and sessions on io.google/2024 as well as on its YouTube channel. You don’t need to register to watch, but doing so allows you to save content and receive email updates about the event both beforehand and live as they happen. Pixel 8a on DeckGoogle often relies on I/O to introduce midrange smartphones; For example, we got the Pixel 7a in 2023 and the Pixel 6a in 2022. As we head toward I/O 2024, multiple reports suggest Google will unveil the Pixel 8a. Android Authority, citing an inside source, says the Pixel 8a will keep the same 6.1-inch screen size of the 7a, but improve the refresh rate from 90Hz to 120Hz while upping the brightness from 1,000 to 1,400 nits. That’s a solid improvement and should be much brighter than competing devices.The 8a should jump forward a generation when it comes to the system on a chip (SoC), upgrading from the Google Tensor G2 to the Google Tensor G3, the same chip found in the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. It does well with AI tasks, though it’s perhaps not the hottest gaming chip around. Look for some minor refinements to the body of the Pixel 8a to match the styling of the Pixel 8, like rounder corners.
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In a corroborating report, Smartprix posted renders of what it says is the Pixel 8a. The new 8a might feature a smaller bezel around the screen with a slightly thicker chin below the display. Overall, the renders look similar to the Pixel 8. Smartprix also says the Tensor G3 would power the 8a, but it would be an under-clocked version compared to the Tensor G3 chips in the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Also, the Pixel 8a colors may have leaked. According to an AndroidHeadlines article, the new device will come in Bay (blue), Mint (green), Obsidian (black), and Porcelain (white). If this image is accurate, the green hue on the Pixel 8a is a much stronger shade than the Mint Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.
These could be the colors of the new Pixel 8a. (Credit: AndroidHeadlines.com)
As for price, the Pixel 6a costs $449 while the 7a is $50 more. The Pixel “a” line targets the middle of the market, so we expect the price to stay close to $499.Chances of being there: HighThe Next Pixel FoldWhen it was introduced at I/O 2023, Google touted the Pixel Fold as the thinnest foldable on the market, a title it lost later in the year to the Honor Magic V2. The Pixel Fold features a wider cover screen than the Samsung Galaxy Fold line, which made the Pixel Fold feel more like a traditional slab phone when closed. Smartprix recently posted renders of what it says is the Pixel Fold 2. The biggest design change is visible on the rear of the device; rather than carry over the camera bar that’s been on every Pixel since the 6 line, the camera module is reconfigured into more of a standard bump. The design could be divisive—just like the camera bar was itself at launch. The outer screen may jump from 5.8 to 6 inches. The inner screen looks more sleek with smaller bezels than those of the original Pixel Fold. The inner front-facing camera might be relocated from the bezel to under the display.
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The same report also says the Pixel Fold 2 will feature spec bumps to 16GB of RAM (up from 12GB) and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage (up from UFS 3.1 storage) for speedier transfers. The Fold 2 might also be the first Pixel with the Tensor G4 SoC. Timing is everything, however; reports concerning the Fold 2 are somewhat thin this close to the event and it’s possible Google may be still developing the Fold 2 and Tensor G4 for launch later this year. At the very least, hopefully, Google will tease the device during the keynote.Chances of being there: MediumGoogle Pixel Tablet 2?At I/O 2022, Google announced its return to the Android tablet game with the Google Pixel Tablet, though the slate didn’t actually reach the market until a year later. Unlike the Pixel 8a and Fold, there are even fewer reports or leaks about the potential Pixel Tablet 2. In February, 9to5Google dove into the Android code and found some possible codenames related to the Pixel Tablet 2, but there is not much more to go on at the moment. New reports say Google will release a new variant of the Google Pixel Tablet and some of its accessories. The Pixel Tablet would stay the same in terms of hardware. However, the tablet would be sold without the speaker dock at a lower price. Additionally, Google could also introduce a Bluetooth keyboard and stylus for the Pixel Tablet. We expect Google to talk about advancements to its smart home tech at I/O, and we’re more likely to hear about which of those features are headed to the existing Pixel Tablet than we are to hear about a brand new tablet.Chances of being there: UnlikelyWhat’s New in Android 15Google will definitely dive deep into the next version of Android at I/O; there’s even a keynote titled “What’s new in Android.” Last year, Google showed off Magic Compose for Android, which suggests replies in apps like Google Messages, as well as tools like Cinematic Wallpaper, which uses machine learning to help you customize your device.
(Credit: René Ramos, Bob Al-Greene; Google)
Google has already released several Developer Previews of Android 15, which offer some hints as to what’s in store. The first preview featured privacy changes, including the latest version of the Privacy Sandbox on Android, which aims to keep your information private while allowing Google to preserve its advertising business. The second preview improved support for satellite connectivity and has system-level support for external cover screens, which could make the foldable phone experience better. Google may also be working on an enhanced desktop mode for Android, which could be a boon for productivity on large-screen devices. Google is likely holding back some of the flashiest features of Android 15 to demonstrate during the keynote.
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Chances of being there: CertainAI, AI, I/OLast year, Google discussed how AI would change everything. Google Bard, the company’s first-generation conversational AI and ChatGPT competitor, got much of the spotlight. Since then, Google has continually pushed AI features into products like Android, search, and Google Workspace. Google’s AI powers tools like Circle to Search on Samsung’s Galaxy S24 line. Also, in typical Google fashion, the Bard name got the boot and its AI chatbot is now known as Gemini.
Google I/O 2024 puzzle teaser (Credit: Google)
In the official Google I/O schedule, sessions are broken up into four major categories and of course, AI is one of them. Google will show off the latest version of its Gemini AI. Many I/O courses center around how to integrate Gemini into apps. With any luck, Google will improve Gemini’s accuracy and tell us how Gemini will impact Google Assistant-based smart home products, as well as what will work on devices like the Pixel 8 and Pixel Tablet.Chances of being there: CertainGoogle Vision?Google talked about partnering with Samsung to build a new XR Android Platform back at I/O 2023, but so far, there does not seem to be any fresh news about the platform. XR is a blanket term encompassing extended reality technologies, such as augmented reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality. In January, longtime Google partner Qualcomm implied that powerful XR headsets are on deck for later this year. Considering the hype around the Apple Vision Pro, Google I/O 2024 would be a good time to introduce an XR product (or at least for Google to demonstrate that something—anything!—is in the works). However, if Samsung is behind the hardware then it is more likely to introduce the product at a later date, such as its next Unpacked event. We’ll have to see which company takes the lead on this.Still, Google is holding a technical session entitled “Building the future with Google AR” at I/O 2024, so perhaps we will get some insight into Google’s augmented reality plans.Chances of being there: SlimGet Ready for I/OWe’re looking forward to Google’s big conference. If there are any surprises, we will have that covered. In the meantime, get to know more about Google Gemini and what it can do.
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