We're sliding into developer convention season and one of many largest occasions on the upcoming calendar is Google I/O. This 12 months's version is happening on Might 19 and 20. As standard, the in-person aspect will occur in Mountain View, California, although lots of the keynotes and periods can be livestreamed. Google will certainly make its largest bulletins in the course of the opening keynote, which is able to begin at 1PM ET on Might 19. A developer keynote will happen later the identical day.
As ever, the rumor mill will choose up velocity 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
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 can 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 weblog put up in February.
There can be information on Gemini mannequin updates in addition to agentic coding. Google may have some product demos too.
The corporate has launched its preliminary schedule of keynotes and periods, nevertheless it doesn't present us with a number of specifics as but. It has lined up discussions on what's new within the likes of Google Play, Firebase (a cell and net app improvement platform), the Gemma open mannequin household and the open-source app improvement framework Flutter. Apparently, there isn't a devoted session for Android XR on the schedule simply but.
What to anticipate
There haven't 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's 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 need to make the most of new options as quickly as attainable, and so they invariably get a heads up about these at I/O yearly. (That stated, Google has been transferring away from a giant annual launch method 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 techniques, Google is planning to meld ChromeOS and Android right into a unified platform. This appears to be the challenge that's being known as Aluminium OS, which we bought a primary glimpse of earlier this 12 months because of some leaks. I/O looks as if the right venue for Google to start out exhibiting that off to the general public.
On the AI entrance, a reveal of Gemini 4 could possibly be on the docket, together with particulars of the newest Veo text-to-video mannequin. Possibly we’ll hear extra about Mission Astra, Google’s pitch for a common AI assistant.
If Google has some shopper {hardware} to point out off at this 12 months's occasion, I think it'll be an Android XR system or units, reasonably than a Pixel cellphone or watch. There’s a probability that we'll get a tease of the Google Pixel 11 lineup. However don't be shocked if we don't see that or the Pixel Watch 5 till Google's devoted {hardware} occasion, which has taken place in August or October lately (Google will need to keep nicely away from Apple's iPhone occasion, which is able to probably happen in September as standard).
Right here’s hoping for a giant shock or two
GooglePositive, Android updates are all nicely and good. If Google insists on cramming Gemini and different AI instruments into all of its instruments and companies, we’ll at the least take heed to what they need to 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 unit, not the factor that was as soon as Twitter), an concept that could possibly be a web profit for humanity and enhance the corporate’s backside line on the similar time. These occasions are all the time 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.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/what-to-expect-from-google-io-2026-200252914.html?src=rss