The Google I/O is what every Android fan looks forward to with every new year. Based on speculations from major platform developers along with a few glimpses at upcoming devices and products, what can we look forward to at the Google I/O 2016.
Google I/O 2016 Date and Location
The date and location of the Google I/O was confirmed by an announcement from Google CEO Sundar Pichai delivered through Twitter. Scheduled to take place between the dates of May 18 and 20, the conference will be set at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, located in California.
What to look forward to at Google I/O 2016
Android N
As promised, we expect to see a major update launched for Android this year. One of the things worth notting about the Google I/O 2015 event, is the promise from Google to release major Android updates yearly and we are hoping it will deliver.There are high expectations for the rumored Android N to be introduced to the Android ecosystem. It was only two years ago that Google began presenting developer preview versions of its yet to be released software launches, with Android L being the initial update. The purpose of these preview versions is to give developers a glimpse of what the latest Android software has to offer prior to its final release.Android L was later launched as Android 5.0 Lollipop with Android M following up as Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It is more than likely, that this year we'll see Google introduce Android N with an Android 7.0 Nutella arriving some months later.Perhaps some of the Android N features will include improved battery management options, the Dark Them that was suddenly dropped from the Android 6.0 software and quite likely the integration of a native pressure sensor technology.
Chrome OS
Chrome OS is definitely something to look out for at the Google I/O 2016 especially with recent reports suggesting its unification with Android. This would implement a laptop and mobile experience like never seen before.Google representatives are yet to confirm these rumors, but the two systems have been giving contrasting details. The Pixel C is definitely a more than a netbook compared to former Google tablets, it possible that Google might make this move soon.However, we hope it will be successful unlike Windows attempts to unify mobile and desktop.
Virtual Reality
MWC put a lot of emphasis on Virtual Reality, with Samsung bundling preorders of the Galaxy S7 with a Gear VR and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg affirming that the technology would be important in the future.The Google company has established its very own Virtual Reality department and it is reported that a new, stand-alone VR headset may be in the works.
Project Fi
Project Fi is a Google cross-carrier network that switches between carriers automatically which allows users to access mobile data more conveniently. Additionally, it lets you evaluate open Wi-Fi connections while choosing only those that meet the set standards. Presently, Project Fi is available exclusively for Nexus owners, but sights are on the I/O to see the expansion of this service to include other devices as well.
Android Wear
Whether or not you are into smartwatches, Google made some attempts at smartwatches in 2015, by including better gesture support as well as native Wi-Fi functionalities.What is certain is smartwatches' growing independence from Android handsets but their future is still unknown. We expect Google to introduce more enhancements to voice control, additional gesture controls and hopefully a few new devices.
Internet of Things
Google suggested an intention to expand the Internet of Things market with their purchase of Nest for an estimated US$3.2 billion back in 2014.Google went further during 2015's I/O event when they announced an operating system that facilitates application development particularly for this sector, referred to as Project Brillo.On top of this, Google also launched the OnHub in 2015. OnHub is a pair of Wi-Fi router solutions, a product of their partnership with the TP-Link and Asus, supposed to provide better, and faster internet access.
Project Ara
Google's modular Project Ara smartphone, has been hitting airwaves since 2013, but the official release date is yet to be confirmed. The company had in 2015 made plans to release a test version of it in Puerto Rico but delays were later encountered with the launch eventually being cancelled.Though, the official Project Ara Twitter page announced that the device is scheduled to go on sale in 2016, somewhere in the US, the specific remain unknown. Google I/O 2016 should offer more detailed information on this.What would you like to see at the upcoming Google I/O 2016? Let us know in the comments.
