Google I/O 2021: How to watch and what to expect
Google’s I/O developer conference is returning after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
This year’s show will be entirely virtual – like most tech events are these days – and it will span two days in mid-May. If you want to watch Google I/O 2021 to see what Google has been working on lately, here’s how you can watch. We have also included details about what to expect.
What is Google I/O?
Google I/O is Google’s mostly annual developer conference, where it often introduces new software updates and hardware products.
The opening keynote will be the most exciting part, as that’s when Google makes the big announcements. It’s held on Day One. The conference will have both consumer and developer-focused keynotes, however, along with technical sessions, workshops, AMAs, and meetups. The official Google’s I/O webpage will share the conference’s agenda and session schedules in late April 2021. Keep checking there for more information.
When is Google I/O 2021?
The conference will take place from 18 May to 20 May, according to 9to5Google, which revealed the date after solving Google’s cryptic puzzle.
How to watch Google I/O 2021
Google will live-stream its I/O 2021 keynote via YouTube. We will embed the video above once it becomes available.
…and we’re back:) Join us May 18-20 for #GoogleIO live, online, and free for everyone. https://t.co/763eVjWpYE pic.twitter.com/Sk3tUnLme0
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) April 7, 2021
What to expect at Google I/O 2021
Google typically holds this conference every for developers, to get them up to speed with its latest innovations and to help them update their apps. But it also showcases new products or technologies for consumers, often even new hardware. For instance, at Google I/O 2019, Google announced the following consumer-focused product updates across Google News, Search, Lens, Duplex, Assistant, and Android, and it revealed devices:
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- Google News update:
- News results will show a “story timeline”
- Google Search update:
- 3D images added to search results
- The ability to search for and listen to podcasts – directly from Google Search
- Google Lens update:
- Point to a restaurant menu to see the most popular dishes
- Google Lens made directly from the Google Search bar on Android phones
- Google Duplex update:
- The ability to book rental cars to get movie tickets for you
- Google Assistant update:
- Needs less data to process voice commands
- Google Assistant got a driving mode
- Android Q update:
- Security updates distribution through Play Store thanks to Project Mainline
- Find all your privacy settings from your profile, complete with three new concise menus
- Incognito Mode for Google Maps and YouTube apps
- New accessibility features, including Live Caption and Live Relay
- A system-wide dark mode
- Digital Wellbeing updated with Focus Mode
- Android Q beta 3 launched for 21 devices
- Nest Hub Max reveal:
- Google announced that combined the Nest and Google Home brands together
- It also introduced the Nest Hub Max
- Pixel 3a and 3a XL reveal:
- Last but not least, Google introduced cheaper Pixel phones.
Add it all up, and we suspect Google will again discuss some broad initiatives, including those concerning AI-powered services and projects. It will likely show off more of Android 12, as well. Perhaps we will even get some new hardware. The Pixel Buds A recently leaked, after all.
