Google I/O is about to come, and things are already shaping up for a fairly eventful conference. While we can certainly expect a lot of developer interaction at this event, there are plenty of Keynote and consumer-focused features that will come out of I/O. If we’re lucky, we might even get a hardware announcement or two.
In addition to the official schedule already posted by Google, there have been a ton of leaks to help us paint a picture of what we can expect from the big event. Google I/O 2022 starts on May 11th, with less than two weeks left, which gives us enough time to get excited for what’s to come! Here’s a list of what we expect to see at the event, along with some speculation on what Google might announce.
Android 13
Google’s next major OS version is already here… eg. The company recently released the first Android 13 beta, which brings us closer to the final release. While there’s a lot to see throughout the beta and past developer previews, we expect Google to have a lot more to say about the features we’ll see in the final version.
Android 13 is not expected to have the same major changes that Android 12 had. However, it looks like Android 13 will be built on Android 12L, refining most of the work to optimize Android for larger-screen devices like foldables and tablets.
wear os 3
(Image credit: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)
We heard a lot about Wear OS 3 at Google I/O last year, but other than the Galaxy Watch 4 running Samsung’s flavors, we’ve yet to see the stock feel in action. We expect it to appear on many of the best Wear OS watches when the update rolls out later this year. We’ve already glimpsed it through the Wear OS emulator, but now it’s time to take a full look at Wear OS 3 after it was announced a full year ago.
With any luck, Google will also give us a specific date when we can expect the update to roll out on current eligible smartwatches. But of course, we can’t talk about Wear OS 3 without mentioning…
Pixel Clock?
(image credit: u/tagtech414) on reddit
We’re not sure about that, but it seems so. Leaks have accelerated recently, especially after the Pixel Watch was “accidentally” abandoned at a Chicago restaurant. The device looks exactly like what we saw in previous renders, and it made us cautiously optimistic about Google’s first smartwatch.
We’ve heard that it could be announced or at least teased at Google I/O, with the Pixel 7 series being a full-fledged launch. Here’s hoping we hear something!
smart home
(Image credit: Chris Weddell / Android Central)
Google is making a number of changes to its Google Home app, revamping UI elements to make it easier to use and a lot more helpful. We hope the company is ready to do something and there may be more on the horizon. There has been talk of a new Nest Hub display with a tablet-like design, and such a device will likely need an upgrade to Google’s smart home platform.
There’s also talk of the efforts of the mater and the company with the unified smart home standard. Yes, delays do happen, but Big Tech seems pretty committed. So, we imagine that I/O may have more to say about it.
Pixel 6a
(Image credit: @OnLeaks/91mobiles)
Unlike the late launch of last year’s Pixel 5a, Google is expected to introduce the Pixel 6a at I/O, at least according to a rumour. It is likely that it will sport a similar design to its higher-end sibling, which is not a bad thing. That said, despite the possibility that it will be powered by the same Tensor chipset, the Pixel 6a is also likely to see some downgrades.
A recent leak suggests that the 6a will not support the same camera features as the Pixel 6 flagships. This could be due to lesser camera hardware, as it is likely to have the same primary camera as the previous Pixel. Still, it could be one of the best budget Android phones of the year, and Google should definitely be aiming to launch it sooner rather than later.
google pay
(Image credit: Joe Maring / Android Central)
We expect Google to go into detail about its apps and software, but Google Pay has been in the headlines lately, and we can’t help but feel like Google has done something for I/O. has planned. Recent reports indicate that the company is gearing up to rebrand its digital wallet, bringing us back to Google “wallet” while retaining the Google Pay name for transactions.
In some ways, this seems like a logical move, especially given the company’s desire to turn Google Pay into a “comprehensive digital wallet.” Looks like we’ll hear more about Google’s ambitions at I/O.
what not to expect
(Image credit: @onLeaks/Twitter)
While we expect some hardware announcements at I/O, we won’t hold our breath for too much of that. Given that we await the launch of the Pixel 6a, Google is unlikely to mention the Pixel 7 at I/O. And while rumors suggest that the Pixel 7 isn’t the only flagship we can expect this year, the Pixel Notepad foldable is rumored to launch sometime in October.
As mentioned earlier, it looks like Google may be teasing the Pixel Watch at I/O, but a full unveiling probably won’t happen until later this year, as Google pre-announced the Pixel 6 series last year. Had it.
Another thing we don’t expect to see is Project Iris. This is the name of Google’s rumored AR headset. We’ve seen the company make headway in AR, especially with Google Lens. However, the company will likely want to make its own hardware to counter Meta’s ambitions. That said, we don’t expect it to arrive until 2024, so it’s unlikely to hear about it at I/O this year. That is, if Google remains committed to the project.
