Google I/O is Google’s annual developer conference, where the search engine behemoth unveils new products, software updates and big projects that Google is working on. Last year at Google I/O 2012, Google announced Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Google Nexus 7 tablet and Project Glass, the program behind Google Glasses. What can we expect from Google I/O 2013, which will be held from May 15 to May 17? It’s hard to say, but we’ve compiled some of the most likely rumors and reports for you.
Remember: we’ll be updating this post with news about Google I/O as it breaks, so make sure to check back!
1. Tickets for Google I/O Sold Out in 50 Minutes
Google I/O is immensely important not only for developers, but for the tech world as a whole. As you can see above, Google announces some major new product and software updates, so developers, tech enthusiasts and journalists are deeply interested in what Google will be presenting. Tickets for the event were $900 a pop, but a reduced $300 for students and faculty members. Even with the high price tag, tickets still sold out in 49 minutes, showing that, despite the costs, people still want to attend the event in San Francisco.
2. The First Day Will Have the Most Important Updates and News
Typically, Google likes to start off Google I/O with a bang. Last year, they focused on Android, Google+ and Google Glass news, announcing Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Nexus 7, the Nexus Q and Google+ Hangouts. In 2011, Google revealed both Android 3.1 Honeycomb and Android Ice Cream Sandwich updates on the first day of Google I/O.
3. We Could See Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie
As we previously mentioned, Google I/O served as the unveiling ceremony for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. While Jelly Bean was criticized for arriving late to a lot of key Android devices (because of fragmentation), the adoption rate has picked up over the past few months. Key Lime Pie could be even more successful than Jelly Bean, considering how many features Google is reportedly packing into Android 5.0. In addition, a new kernel (or the core of the operating system) could make Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie faster and more responsive.
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4. We Could Also See The Motorola X…
The Motorola X is the rumored device manufactured by Motorola Mobility, a subsidiary of Google. Last year, Google purchased Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion, which many hypothesized was because Google wanted access to the large number of patents Motorola Mobility held. However, Google and Motorola Mobility are reportedly working on a brand new smartphone that will not only be packed with the most recent hardware specs, but be really affordable as well.
5. Or We Could See The Google Nexus 5
Other rumors are indicating that we could see a different phone at Google I/O: The Google Nexus 5. The previous incarnation, the Google Nexus 4, has been immensely popular and has been selling out in stores across the U.S. The Nexus 5 is expected boost up some hardware specs, which customers complained were a little less impressive than the competition’s (especially the camera), and have an improved processor. However, sources close to Google have told Heavy that the Nexus 5 will come sometime in the Fall of 2013.
6. We Probably Won’t See Both Phones
It’s doubtful that Google will show, much less release, both devices around the same time. From a business standpoint, it doesn’t make sense; the phone’s sales will cannibalize each other (if both devices were to be released at the same time, they would divide the sales figures). It makes sense for Google to stick to a Nexus 5 release sometime in Fall 2013, as our sources indicated.
7. We May Be Introduced to Google Babble
Early last week, we heard reports of a service called Google Babble. According to Geek.com, Google Babble will unify Google’s numerous communication services, including Google Talk, Messenger, Google Hangouts, Google Voice, Chat for Drive and many, many more. The problem is that these are all different services that are attached to different products, but, by unifying them, Google could see an increase in the amount of users. Also, Google Babble will reportedly work on Android, OS X, Chrome OS and Windows (we can assume iOS will be covered as well).
8. We Could see the Google Nexus 7.7
Reports are saying that we may see the latest iteration of the Google Nexus 7, rumored to be called the Google Nexus 7.7. According to BGR, the Nexus 7.7 will have a Tegra 4 processor, a 7.7-inch, 1,920 x 1,200-pixel display, 8GB of storage, and both front and rear high-def cameras. However, other reports say that, while the Nexus 7.7 may exist, it won’t be released or unveiled at Google I/O 2013.
9. We May See Another Google Glass Presentation
Google Glass was introduced at Google I/O 2012 and continues to be a hot topic in the tech world. As wearable technology — including smartwatches — becomes more and more interesting to companies like Amazon, Samsung, Apple and Google, Google’s revolutionary eyeware has a chance to be as equally groundbreaking as the original iPhone was to the smartphone industry. Therefore, it’s unlikely that Google will not take this opportunity to show off some new features for Google Glass, which we’ve heard developers have been working on secretly.
10. Google I/O 2013 Has Big Expectations
Most analysts and experts are anticipating a big show from Google during Google I/O. Last year, Google caught the tech world by surprise by showing a plethora of new devices and groundbreaking beta projects like Google Glass. Will Google unveil another surprise project that the company’s secretly been working on? It seems likely, since tech writers are jittery with anticipation over Google I/O 2013.