Android O, Google Assistant and augmented reality: What to expect at Google I/O

Google's largest occasion of the yr is about to get underway. 

The corporate's builders convention, Google I/O, is simply hours away so naturally the rumor mill has already kicked into excessive gear. At this yr's occasion, we anticipate to listen to rather more concerning the subsequent model of Android, Google's plans for its Assistant, and what is going on on with its VR platform, Daydream.

In fact, as with yearly, there are sure to be a couple of surprises as properly. However for now, this is a take a look at all the things we're anticipating to see (and, in some instances not see) at I/O.

Android O(reo?)

Although Google already launched the primary developer preview for Android O (the model of Android after N, or Nougat), I/O is once we’ll lastly hear about what's subsequent for Android in a lot, a lot, extra element. Given what we’ve seen within the preview, although, we all know enhancements to notifications and battery life are more likely to be an enormous focus. We additionally know customizable app icons for various gadget varieties, picture-in-picture and improved autofill are additionally on the desk.

As for the identify, it’s anybody’s guess. The corporate might go the crowd-source route prefer it did last year, or it might have the identify already picked out. The present favourite, although, appears to be Android Oreo — and never simply because it is one of many solely sugary treats that begins with the letter "O."

Earlier this yr, Oreo launched a mobile game that encourages customers to snap pictures of cookies with their telephones to be able to nearly "dunk" the cookies by means of area. The sport, which makes use of Google Earth satellite tv for pc imagery, was developed in partnership with Google. Coincidence? Perhaps, however we're nonetheless getting ready for some Oreo sightings at I/O anyway. 

Google Assistant 

Google’s Assistant had its official popping out social gathering finally yr's I/O, and we're anticipating the digital helper will probably be one of many stars of this yr's occasion. 

Although Google has already been slowly opening up Assistant to third-party builders, these efforts will possible speed up at I/O. Up till now, outdoors builders have needed to request entry to start out constructing "actions" for Assistant. Likewise, potential hardware makers who need to combine with Assistant have been restricted to the developer preview for the Assistant SDK, which has been billed as extra of an experimental launch than one thing prepared for business companions. 

We anticipate each these to vary at I/O. Search for Google to start letting extra app builders into Assistant and updates on new Assistant-enabled hardware.

VR + AR

The second day of I/O is about to start with a keynote from Google's head of digital actuality, Clay Bavor. Whereas it appears fairly protected to say we'll get an replace on Daydream, the corporate's cellular VR platform, some indicators recommend augmented actuality may also be on the agenda.

Notably, Google's Challenge Tango lead, Johnny Lee, is scheduled to hitch Bavor onstage, suggesting we might lastly get that Daydream-Tango integration we've been waiting for. Whereas we're undoubtedly due for updates on Tango, Google's sensor tech that brings high-level augmented actuality experiences to smartphones and tablets, the grouping with the VR portion of the keynote suggests Google is poised to make some critical AR information. 

Android Put on

Android Put on 2.zero was unveiled eventually yr’s occasion and contemplating the replace continues to be (very) slowly making its approach to watches, do not anticipate an enormous replace on this entrance. Nonetheless, judging by the schedule for I/O, it does sound just like the workforce could have a couple of smaller updates to share.

ATAP

Although it has been one of the memorable periods for the previous few years of I/O, it does not appear to be we'll hear a lot if something, from Google's experimental Superior Know-how and Tasks (ATAP) group. Aside from the Project Jacquard launch at SXSW earlier this yr, the ATAP group has been very quiet ever because the group's chief, Regina Dugan, left the corporate for Fb last year. And with no periods on the agenda, it looks like we'll need to maintain ready to seek out out what is going on on with ATAP.