The time for Google’s annual developer conference has arrived with the Google I/O 2021 commencing from May 18 till May 21 in Mountain View, California. Google announces new hardware, software and new updates for its pre-existing applications and services in this annual software-focused event. However, due to the current pandemic situation the event will be all-virtual in nature this year where Google will live stream its new announcements and updates. So, here we take a look at the things that Google has in store for the world which are expected to be seen in the Google I/O 2021 event.
1. Android 12 and The First Beta
Undoubtedly, a majority of Google I/O 2021 will be devoted to Android 12. It is likely to be the centre of attraction in the event as it is the newest numbered iteration of Android. This doesn’t mean that the software will be unveiled at the event as it is available to developers in preview form but the first beta which enables the users to safely install software on their personal devices is expected to be launched at I/O 2021 by Google. First beta which was previously launched for Android 9 Pie and Android 11 ensures that there are fewer bugs than that are present in a developer preview.
2. Google Pixel 5a
Google had launched the original “a” series phone devices in 2019 at Google I/O event namely Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL but due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation wreaking havoc last year, Google didn’t launch Pixel 4a at I/O event, instead it landed in the month of August. So, with this pattern it is quite possible that Google might not launch Pixel 5a in May. Pixel 5a is rumoured to have a 6.2 full HD+OLED screen and a dual lens camera. However, there is still quite a lot of possibility that Pixel 5a might be launched this year at Google I/O as it is not unusual for Google to launch hardware at the event.
3. Google Pixel Buds A
There is a realm of possibility that along with Google Pixel 5a, another piece of hardware might get launched – the Google Pixel Buds A which appears to be a cheaper variant of the second generation version of its Pixel Buds which were launched in 2020. Though it is still not clear yet about what features of original Pixel Buds will be eliminated in order to bring down the cost of the Pixel Buds A, there are rumours that they will sport touch controls for controlling music playback and accessing Google assistant as well as they will appear in a new green colour theme.
4. Wear OS Updates
There’s a growing word on the street that Samsung could be creating a Wear OS-based smart watch for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch Active 4 which is likely to be the first non-Tizen smart watch from the brand since around the year 2014. It would make a lot of sense to see Google unveil Wear OS at Google I/O 2021 as one of the talks scheduled in the event has been named ‘Create your first Tile in Wear’.
5. Google Stadia
Within a year of creating Stadia, an exclusive gaming studio, Google had announced its shut down, which means that Google might look for a possibility for success in game streaming which will possibly mean that it may launch device support, new game partnerships or even updates at Google I/O.
6. New Mobile Processor
Google is expected to launch its first ever custom mobile processor codenamed ‘Whitechapel’ this year at I/O. This might happen because of the upcoming Google Pixel 6, though we won’t see it at Google I/O. Since the event itself is dedicated to developers, there is quite a lot of possibility that the announcement will be made at the event itself and not otherwise.
