- Unlike previous Google I/Os, which were two-day affairs, the 2023 edition is a one-day event set to begin at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET) on May 10, 2023.
- Google is expected to launch its first foldable smartphone, the successor to Pixel 6a, release the Android 14 features and other devices.
Google is all set for its annual software developer conference, Google I/O, on May 10, 2023. As is the case with previous editions of the event, users can expect the launch of some shiny new hardware, among other products.
As always, this year’s Google I/O could also turn out to be a busy affair, considering one of its significantly smaller competitors in online search, Microsoft’s Bing, has scaled up its efforts to end the Mountain View, CA-based company’s search dominance by integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Despite being a pioneer in AI research, Google seems to have caught itself on the back foot in consumer-focused generative AI and is now playing catch up to Microsoft.
The company is also expected to advance its popular Pixel line of smartphones with several new devices, one of which will help end Samsung’s dominance (read: monopoly), at least in the U.S. smartphone market.
When and Where Is Google I/O 2023 Taking Place?
Unlike previous Google I/Os, which were two-day affairs, the 2023 edition is a one-day event set to begin at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET) on May 10, 2023. This year, the company is expected to focus mainly on consumer electronics.
The event is being held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and will be broadcasted live to a limited in-person audience and online across the globe. Users can watch the keynote address on the Google YouTube channel without registration.
However, the technical sessions at Google I/O 2023, while free, require registration on the event websiteOpens a new window . The company notes that registration simply means the registree will receive updates about the event.
See More: Mobile Edge Computing: The Future of True 5G
What To Expect at Google I/O 2023?
1. Pixel Fold launch
First up is the addition of a foldable device to the Pixel series. It would seem Google has its eyes set on Samsung and its impressive lineup of Fold and Flip devices. Samsung has stayed relatively unchallenged in the U.S. in the foldable smartphone segment considering Huawei is barred from conducting business on American soil.
Google confirmed Pixel Fold on Twitter ahead of the event.
✨May The Fold Be With You✨#GoogleIOOpens a new window #PixelFoldOpens a new window
May 10 pic.twitter.com/K8Gk21nmo8Opens a new window— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) May 4, 2023Opens a new window
It is reasonable to expect Pixel Fold to have a Google Tensor chip at its core, powering what is rumored to be a 7.6†internal display and a 5.7†external display. Pixel Fold could also have a 120 Hz internal display and cost approximately $1,700.
2. Pixel 7a launch
The Pixel 7a could align with what made its predecessor, Pixel 6a, successful. The launch of Pixel 7a is also in tune with Google’s yearly release calendar, i.e., following up a flagship (Pixel 7 Pro released in October 2022) with its budget variant.
Software-wise, the Pixel 7a could come with the latest that Google has to offer, while its scaled-down hardware can still be expected to deliver a power-packed punch, including a 6.1†display with a 90 Hz refresh rate, the Tensor chip, a 64-megapixel camera. Google is unlikely to upgrade its charging wattage from 18W. (Pixel 7 supports 20W charging while the Pixel 7 Pro supports 23W).
Pixel 7a is expected to be priced at $499.
3. Pixel Tablet
We received a sneak peek into the Pixel Tablet at Google I/O 2022 and later during the October 2022 launch of the Pixel 7 (and 7 Pro). Make no mistake, Android-based tablets haven’t made quite the mark that iPad has, which is why when Google unveiled the Pixel Tablet last year; it meant business.
The Pixel Tablet is expected to be powered by the Tensor G2 chip and sport a ~11†display, 18W charging, USI 2.0 stylus input, and a Charging Speaker Dock to convert the device into a Nest Hub-esque smart speaker.
4. Android 14
The Android 14 developer beta has been around for three months, but we could get a complete outline of the latest version of its mobile OS. Android 14’s official release date could be later this year, in August.
Dubbed Upside Down Cake internally, Android 14 is slated to support larger displays for new devices such as the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet and could be optimized as such.
It also has an application cloning feature that allows users to have two versions of the same mobile app. This feature can help eliminate the pain of having to switch between accounts on several apps, such as WhatsApp and more. However, it is still being determined if app cloning supports all Android apps for now.
Android 14 could also feature the newly launched passkeys to replace the reliance on passwords for account access, predictive back gestures, satellite communication, and more.
Google I/O 2023 could also see the launch of Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Buds. The event may also preview Pixel 8, slated for a fall 2023 release.
5. AI advancements
Google is expected to introduce its latest large language model (LLM), PaLM 2, according to CNBC. Featuring over 100 languages, PaLM 2 is the successor to PaLM, which was released in April 2022.
PaLM 2 can generate content (text, images, videos, audio), code, and more from natural language prompts.
Google may also announce what CNBC describes as “generative experiences†for search and the experimental generative AI chatbot Bard. The company could also bring AI-driven media generation capabilities to Google Workspace.
What are you most excited about at Google I/O 2023? Share your thoughts with us on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you!
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