eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
Google’s I/O Conference is arguably one of the company’s biggest events of the year. It’s a chance for the search giant to show off to developers, consumers and enterprise users the grand opportunities its mobile and online services, as well as hardware, affords them. Google I/O, in other words, is Google’s annual chance to impress, well, everyone.
And this year’s Google I/O, which kicks off May 15, will be no different, as the company would like nothing more than to wow not only those attending the sold-out event but anyone paying attention to the show from afar.
There will undoubtedly be some surprises, and chances are there will be some disappointments. But in either case, this year’s Google I/O Conference will, like every other year, be a big event worth keeping an eye on.
Read on to find out what to expect from this year’s Google I/O Conference:
1. Bring on a new Android
If history is to be our guide, there will be a new Android hitting the show floor at Google I/O. Google each year uses that show to introduce its latest and greatest software flavor, and just about every rumor suggests it’ll do it again this year. It should be interesting to see what the latest version offers.
2. Don’t discount the appearance of a new Chrome
With Sundar Pichai now running both Android and Chrome, don’t be surprised if he announces both a new version of Android and a new update to Chrome OS. Google has made it clear that it believes Chrome OS is its future in the computing space, and Google I/O seems like the ideal place to unveil a new version of that software.
3. LG’s Nexus partnership will live
If all the rumors are true, LG and Google will once again partner on a new Nexus-branded smartphone. That device is reportedly going to offer a 5.5-inch screen, the latest version of Android version and 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) service. LG and Google have had some success with the Nexus brand in the past and will likely continue to do so, if that device hits store shelves.
4. Google talking about, well, Google
As Apple loves to do with its own presentations, expect Google to spend a significant amount of time at the I/O Conference discussing all of its successes over the last year. Google will show off Android uptick numbers, adoption rates and all kinds of other things that the search giant loves to talk about. If Google is good at anything, it’s talking about, well, Google.
Google I/O: 10 Things to Expect From This Year’s Event
5. Chromebooks, perhaps?
Google’s Chromebooks might also make an appearance at the I/O Conference. Why not? The company’s cloud-based operating system will likely be updated at the show, and so the devices running the software should be refreshed as well. Hopefully, Chromebooks that are shown off at the event actually come out looking nice.
6. More tablet talk
Count on tablets making a showing at the conference. Over the last several months, Google has been pounding on tablets quite hard, and the company wants nothing more than to take down the iPad. The only way to do that is to make a tablet push. And at Google I/O, it’ll do just that.
7. Google Glass chats
At last year’s Google I/O, the search company showed off its Google Glass eyewear. This time around, the company will likely explore some more of Glass’ features and discuss why it believes it’s well-suited for the wearable technology marketplace. Google Glass is interesting, and Google wants it to be shown off.
8. Don’t forget about the online world
Google might be focusing much of its time on mobile nowadays, but the I/O Conference is also a great opportunity for the company to show off its latest advancements in its online services, like Search, Google Docs and Gmail. Expect that to happen at I/O.
9. Apps galore
One of the other nice things about Google’s I/O is that the company makes it easy for third-party developers to show off their latest wares. From new updates to the Google Play marketplace to completely new titles, the apps shown at the event should excite at least some Android users.
10. Surprise, surprise
Each year, Google offers up at least one big surprise. Last year, it was Google Glass. What it will be this year is anyone’s guess. But if history is to be our guide, then expect Google to announce something new and special this year. Let’s just hope it’s as fun as Glass.
Follow Don Reisinger on Twitter by clicking here