Google I/O 2024: Key Highlights and What to Anticipate

Developer season is here, and the excitement is building as we approach Google I/O 2024, taking place tomorrow at Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheatre. The central theme this year? Two letters: AI. Google I/O? More like Google A/I. Over the past few years, artificial intelligence and machine learning have been central to almost every announcement, but this time, expect to hear about AI nonstop as CEO Sundar Pichai takes the stage.

The event kicks off on May 14 at 10 a.m. PT with the flagship keynote, the highlight of the entire conference. Google promises to “discover how we’re furthering our mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” This is the same keynote that once featured skydivers promoting the now-familiar augmented reality device, Google Glass.

A few hours later, at 1:30 p.m. PT, the Developer keynote will take place. Google describes this session as an opportunity to “learn about Google’s newest developer tools and discover how they fuel innovation and enhance your productivity.” While it may seem a bit technical, it’s sure to be informative for developers and tech enthusiasts alike.

Our focus in this article will be on the flagship keynote.

While new Pixel devices are traditionally a highlight of the event, don't expect any surprises this year. Earlier this week, Google unveiled the Pixel 8a, which officially starts shipping on the day of the keynote. This early reveal deviates from past strategies where new handsets generated buzz during the event itself.

Last year's standout was the Pixel Fold, and rumors suggest a major rebranding is on the horizon. Instead of the Pixel Fold 2, we hear whispers of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold — quite an unwieldy title that could be introduced alongside the other Pixel 9 models this fall.

Will there be any hardware announcements? Perhaps Google will provide updates on previous projects. For instance, what’s the status of those translation glasses? Or Project Starline? I had the chance to demo the innovative teleconferencing system at last year’s event, but updates have been scarce since then.

The Nest line has seen limited attention recently. It’s uncertain whether Google is stepping back from the smart home market as it cools or if new developments are on the way. A key topic we hope to hear about is how Google Gemini’s launch will affect Google Assistant. Will Gemini replace Assistant, or can both co-exist?

Regardless of the Assistant discussion, it’s clear that Gemini will take center stage. Google is banking on its generative AI platform to show how it competes with leaders like OpenAI’s GPT and Microsoft Copilot. We might even see a brand-new version of Gemini unveiled next week. Expect deeper integration across popular services like Maps, Chrome, and Android.

Last month, a developer preview of Android 15 emerged, so a more detailed look at the upcoming mobile operating system is likely. Anticipate new features with significant Gemini integration.

We can also expect previews of updates for Google’s other platforms, including Wear OS, Android TV, and Android Auto. More AI developer tools are sure to be part of the agenda as well.

And who knows, we might even see another surprise appearance from the protest plane! The excitement begins at 10 a.m. PT today. You can stream the event live and stay tuned for real-time updates and insights!