For Android enthusiasts and experts, Google I/O is definitely one of the most exclusive events that they can’t miss at any cost. Getting into the event is definitely not the easiest of the tasks, but, for those who are able to get access, the whole experience is definitely worth the effort. In this segment, we will be detailing the schedule and our predictions for the event.
Google I/O 2016 dates and venue
On January 12, Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google had in a tweet announced the date and the venue for the event. According to the announcement, it will take place from May 18-20 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. This is the first time after 2013 that the company has decided on hosting this three-days long event.
Google I/0 2016 schedule
The full list of more than 200 events that are scheduled for the duration of the I/O 2016 has been posted. If you look at the link, you will see that this year, virtual reality is going to be a big focus for the company. “Google’s vision for VR: what we have built, what we have learned, and where we are headed,” is something that the company is willing to share with us.
Google I/O 2016 Official App
Google has made available the official app for the event on the Google Play store. This app is the perfect solution for both kinds of people who are or aren’t attending the sessions. Through the application, you can get easy access to the live streams for the keynote and major sessions, schedules, maps, reminders and other things that the company deems as relevant for the event.
With this out of the way, let’s move on to the things that we are most likely going to be witness to in Google I/O 2016.
Android N
A while back, Google has announced that they are going to release the developer’s preview to the new editions of the Android system at each year’s I/O conference. However, this year, the pattern was not followed and we got the first glimpse at the Android N developer’s preview a few months before the conference. However, we are still expecting Sundar Pichai’s keynote session to bring a deeper insight into the upcoming operating system.
According to the schedule that Google had announced for Android N, the final version of the OS was to be launched in Q3, this year. The schedule went something like,
- March: Android N developer preview 1 (alpha)
- April: Android N developer preview 2 (beta)
- May: Android N developer preview 3 (beta)
- June: Android N developer preview 4 (with final APIs and SDK)
- July: Android N developer preview 5 (near-final build)
- August/September: Final Android 7.0 AOSP build
Last year with the launch of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, we also received the Nexus 6P and the 5X, so, this year we can expect the launch of the latest Nexus in a similar way. HTC is supposedly making the latest Nexus device(s).
Project Tango
At Mobile World Congress 2016, we had seen the Project Tango smartphone at a private showcasing arranged by Lenovo and Google, but, there is a definite chance that it will get better coverage and more air at the I/O event as it is supposed to start shipping in the summers. The Lenovo TechWorld, which is scheduled for June 9 will be the official debut for the smartphone.
Android VR
As we mentioned earlier, according to the schedule that Google has put forward, which features seven sessions and an entire content track devoted to virtual and augmented reality, the VR is definitely going to be a major focus in this year’s conference. The main event is called “VR at Google: what we have built, what we have learned and where we are headed” and is to be hosted by Clay Bavor, the main man behind the newly formed VR division at Google.
The major things that you should be on a lookout for are two new VR products, an official Android VR announcement, more on 360 videos, YouTube quality, Cardboard partnerships, and Expeditions.
Self-driving cars
We are definitely not unaware of Google’s intensive attempts of making driverless cars, so, the conference is definitely a good way of showcasing what these cars are capable of achieving. The location is also located far away from the main city and is not connected well by public transport, which further cements the chances for the demonstration of these cars.
Google Play
The Chrome OS is all set to get the Google Play Store. Along with this, we are expecting that the Google Play store will be able to make its way to China. The company has been in talks with the Chinese government to develop an updated (read “carefully curated”) version of the Play Store.
Project Ara
Definitely one of our favorite Google Projects, it looks like the official trial time of the device is finally upon us. Last year, a fully functional Project Ara prototype was put on display. For those of you who are not familiar with the project, it is the company’s attempt at making a fully modular smartphone.
In 2015, the prototype was assembled withing minutes on the stage, without the camera module and then the camera was added when the device had booted. The device then recognized the camera with just a few seconds to spare.
Project Brillo, Google’s Smart Home project
At the last year’s I/O, the company had proposed a platform for the Internet of Things (IoT), Project Brillo. We are also hoping to get more disclosure on “Google On.”
Project Aura
Project Aura or more commonly known as Google Glass 2.0 is supposed to have a redesign along with a larger prism, this year. It is supposedly the enterprise edition of the Google Glass that made its way to the FCC documentation, this year. However, we have got no final information on what route this project is going to take.
Chrome OS
We are expecting some major changes and announcements pertaining to the Chrome OS. Earlier this year there were rumors that were floating around regarding the supposed merger of the OS along with Android, however, the company has officially denied any such move.
Photo Credits: The Verge, CNET, Wired
