Google I/O Likely to Spotlight Android, Chrome, Wearables, Autos

By Don Reisinger

There has been some debate over what Android updates Google will announce at I/O. However, a posting for a working session during the event, which has since been taken down, showed that Google would discuss Android M, the follow-up to Android 5.0. It’s unclear how big of an update Android M will be, but the very fact that Google is talking about an Android update before many devices get the latest released edition is somewhat surprising.

Project Ara was one of the few things Google kept after it sold off Motorola to Lenovo. It has been in the works for some time and will likely make a showing at I/O. Project Ara promises modular smartphone design that will allow users to quickly swap out components for something new. There are still far more questions than answers on Ara, but hopefully some of those questions will be settled at I/O.

Project Tango has all kinds of promise, but whether it will live up to the hype remains to be seen. Project Tango is designed to provide mobile devices with the ability to “see” the world around them with help from 3D technology, virtual reality and augmented reality. Google could announce more partnerships and developments in Tango, which is currently in tablet form, at I/O. Image 3: Please use this image:

Google’s Chrome operating system has made great strides in the last year as it’s attracted more vendors and customers. At Google I/O, the search company is expected to show off a rather large update to the cloud-based platform that will enhance its functionality and make it even more responsive on low-end notebooks. There’s also talk that Google could introduce some refinements to Chrome OS to coincide with the impending release of Windows 10.

The next frontier for many tech companies is car technology. While Google could talk up its driverless car technology at I/O, it’s more likely that it’ll announce some more partnerships for its Android Auto in-car infotainment system. And since I/O is a developers event, it’s also likely that Android Auto talk will center around the platform’s applications and how developers can take advantage of it to deliver their apps.

Google has tried on a few occasions to make it big in the television market, but has failed. Now the company is trying again with its Android TV platform, which includes support for remote streaming and Google Play. Still, Android TV is in its infancy and in need of some help from third-party developers who can add their apps to the platform. Google might also announce some new television partners at the event. Either way, Android TV is important if Google wants to stay in the game because Apple reportedly has plans for its own TV technology that it will announce later this year.

One of the big question marks about Google I/O is whether the search company will announce new Nexus hardware. Nexus devices are designed to be the smartphones and tablets that carry the company’s official software. Since Google could announce new software at I/O, it would only make sense for the company to unveil complementary hardware.

Google’s acquisition of smart thermostat maker Nest has been an important step in the company’s home hopes. Google is working on home automation and smart home technology through Android Home, and Nest plays a crucial role in that. There have been some reports that Nest will be delivering new hardware, and Google I/O would be the perfect place to unveil that. In addition, Nest could show off how Google’s Android Home could be used to improve home automation. Expect to see Nest at least make an appearance at the show.

Google’s Android Wear seems ripe for an update at Google I/O. With Apple Watch now available and several companies, like Pebble, getting into the wearables market with products and platforms of their own, Google needs to respond with an update to its wearable software. The best place to do that would be at Google I/O, where developers will be on-hand to see how they can use Android Wear to push their wares.

If Android Wear makes an appearance at Google I/O, one can safely assume that new Android Wear-based devices will be close behind. Several companies have their eyes on the wearables market and since Google I/O will attract much attention, it’s a great platform for companies to show off their new products. Look for at least some companies, including Motorola, LG or even Google, to show off some wearable hardware at Google I/O.