Google’s annual developer extravaganza, Google I/O, is nearly right here. The convention is ready to start on Could 11, beginning with a keynote handle at 10:00 AM PT (that’s 1 PM ET, 7 PM CET, and 10:30 PM IST).
As with final yr’s convention, I/O 2022 will likely be free to ‘attend’ (just about, that’s), and everybody can stream the whole thing of the occasion from the consolation of their pajamas. That mentioned, the opening keynote normally has probably the most related bulletins for on a regular basis shoppers, in order that’s the bit you’ll wish to you’ll want to watch.
We’re anticipating loads of thrilling information — together with a great deal of {hardware}. What follows are our greatest guesses on the information to return, grouped by likeliness.
Positively
Android 13
It’s no shock that Android 13 is coming; there’s a brand new model yearly, in spite of everything, and enterprising customers can already check the OS in its beta kind.
Up to now, that beta hasn’t been very thrilling. It options some minor UI tweaks and further customization choices for Google’s Materials You design language, however up to now it doesn’t look drastically totally different from Android 12.
Essentially the most helpful new day-to-day characteristic may be a brand new clipboard that allows you to maintain observe of copied textual content and pictures and edit them earlier than pasting. Google can also be making an attempt to wrangle notifications by proactively asking you if you wish to proceed to see notifications from varied functions. I recognize it, nevertheless it’s slightly ironic that Android 13 sends you popup notifications to ask you if you wish to cease notifications.
All that being mentioned, the corporate tends to maintain a few of its most fun options — in addition to public-facing beta builds — till I/O. Whereas I wouldn’t anticipate any dramatic modifications given the most important redesign we received with Android 12, Google says and 13 is concentrated on privateness and safety, so we’ll in all probability see varied updates in that regard.
Updates to the Google Assistant and different companies
We haven’t heard concrete rumors in regards to the Google Assistant for I/O 2022, however Google at all times has one thing to say about its voice AI on the occasion. You’ll be able to anticipate the identical this yr.
Likewise, you may anticipate a litany of updates throughout Google’s varied merchandise like Maps, Pictures, and Drive.
In all probability
The Pixel Watch
There’s a very good probability we’ll hear extra in regards to the Pixel Watch at I/O this yr. There have been leaks aplenty previously few weeks, strongly hinting the system will at the very least be introduced quickly.
The Pixel Watch will seemingly sport a spherical design with curved edges and silicone straps; it appears a bit like a legendary spherical Apple Watch. It additionally appears to be considerably smaller than the vast majority of Put on OS gadgets.
Whereas it’s unclear how the Pixel watch will differ from present Put on OS choices by way of software program, it’s possible Google will place important emphasis on health monitoring options, given the corporate’s current acquisition of Fitbit.
It’s additionally doable Google will make use of its personal silicone contained in the watch to be able to optimize battery effectivity. That’s hypothesis on my half, however it could maybe clarify why it’s taken so lengthy to launch a Pixel Watch within the first place. The corporate made an enormous deal of its {hardware} and software program integration with the Pixel 6, and it’s doable that’ll proceed right here.
Whereas we don’t know the way a lot it’ll value, I think about it’s possible Google will attempt to undercut the Apple watch by some quantity, much like how the Pixel 6 launched at a considerably lower cost than its rapid competitors.
The Pixel 6A
Google has a historical past of saying A-series gadgets at Google I/O, so we’re anticipating the rumored Pixel 6A to make an look on the convention.
We don’t know a lot in regards to the gadgets aside from a handful of renders, showcasing an identical system to the Pixel 6. However based on a report by 9to5Google, the system may very well be utilizing the identical Google Tensor chip seen on the 6 and 6 Professional.
This is able to be uncommon for Google, which has normally emphasised digicam efficiency on its A-series Pixels and opted for cheaper CPU parts. As a substitute, it looks like Google is taking a web page out of Apple’s ebook, and making the digicam weaker as an alternative. 9to5Google’s report claims the 6A will use the identical 12MP Sony IMX363 digicam chip that was on each Pixel from the Pixel 3 to the Pixel 5A.
That mentioned, this isn’t essentially a horrible factor. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional have an awesome major sensor, however their photographs weren’t dramatic enhancements over the Pixel 5’s for many lighting conditions. Google’s computational pictures chops are nonetheless the core of the Pixel’s picture high quality.
Choosing a extra highly effective processor may make the Pixel 6A a greater long-term buy and provide stronger competitors to the iPhone SE (which makes use of Apple’s newest processor). The 6A can also be rumored to sport an enormous 4,800 mAh battery, so it’d last more on a cost too.
Perhaps
Pixel Buds Professional
Google’s Pixel Buds (and the superior A-Collection) are arguably Android’s greatest reply to Apple’s AirPods, however there’s one massive hole within the line-up: the Pixel Buds Professional. Google’s present choices don’t provide lively noise cancelation, a characteristic many customers think about non-negotiable. Apple additionally has some neat spatial audio options Google has but to implement.
It’s nearly a on condition that Google will launch noise-canceling Pixel Buds ultimately. However on Could 3, leaker Jon Prosser claimed we’ll see the Pixel Buds Professional “quickly,” and that it’ll are available in “Actual Purple, Carbon, Limoncello, Fog” colours. He has a stable observe report with Google leaks, and I/O appears a time as any.
Google Pixel Buds Professional coming 🔜
Actual Purple, Carbon, Limoncello, Fog
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) May 3, 2022
Furthermore, as identified by Mishaal Rahman, Google has made important progress with spatial audio in Android 13, so the timing appears proper.
This is able to completely not shock me given Google’s work on spatial audio + head monitoring assist in Android 13, particularly their secrecy across the latter. Plus, there’s BLE Audio assist in Android now too. https://t.co/yJHcKCF4dy
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) May 3, 2022
Google Stadia information
Google Stadia’s launch has been a large number, to say the least. After shedding its first-party recreation studios in 2021, we’ve barely heard a whisper about what Google plans to do with all that streaming expertise it constructed. Google I/O can be time for an replace.
However, it’s solely doable Google will wish to bury any Stadia bulletins if it doesn’t have a concrete plan in place for the platform.
In all probability not
A 2-in-1 Nest Hub?
In keeping with 9to5Google, Google is engaged on a Nest Hub with a removable show. The wacko kind issue would definitely be distinctive, however the one timing info we’ve is “2022.”
Google may tease it at I/O, but when the rumor pans out, I’d anticipate it to make an look later within the yr as an alternative.
The Pixel Fold
The Pixel Fold has been rumored for a very long time. The truth that Google is constructing Android 12L, which is particularly geared toward folding telephones and large-screen gadgets, suggests the corporate is taking folding gadgets critically. However it’s anybody’s guess whether or not a Pixel Fold will really present up at I/O.
Given the shortage of concrete leaks, and the truth that present leaks have pointed to a late 2022 launch, I doubt we’ll see a lot of the Pixel Fold. At most, we would see a teaser of the system, however the firm would possible wish to go away a critical reveal for its traditional fall occasion.
Some reviews declare the system will arrive in 2023, or that it’s canceled altogether, so don’t get your hopes up. That mentioned, whether or not or not the Pixel Fold itself makes an look, I assume we’ll be listening to quite a bit about Android 12L. Folding telephones are right here to remain.
