The Google I/O developer conference is happening later this week with Google promising to share its "AI breakthroughs and updates in products across the company, from Gemini to Android, Chrome, Cloud and more."
Google also revealed that agentic coding will be on the agenda, along with news about the latest Gemini model updates. We also know what we definitely shouldn't expect, now that this year's installment of The Android Show: I/O Edition has passed.
The Android Show covered various topics, including what to expect from Android 17, Google Maps, Android Auto and new Gemini Intelligence. Not to mention the new Googlebook laptops, which will run on a new hybrid version of Android and ChromeOS.
That means the upcoming I/O address could cover all the other things Google is up to. From AI models, improved video generation and editing tools, and maybe even the long-gestating Android XR. There's plenty we still don't know about the mixed reality software, after all.
Here's what we know about Android, AI and everything else we know about the upcoming Google I/O developer conference.
Google I/O 2026: Date & location
Google has confirmed that I/O 2026 will commence on May 19, starting with a keynote address at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. BST. The conference will then run through May 20, with Google hosting talks, panels and other presentations over the course of those two days.
As with past I/O keynotes, this will all take place at the Shoreline Amphitheatre at Google's Mountain View headquarters in California. A live-stream of the event will be available on the Google I/O webpage, and this being Google, we'd expect the keynote to stream on YouTube as well.
Google also hosted an Android-specific event for the second year running, named "The Android Show: I/O Edition." Like last year, this was a live-streamed event and we have a rundown of everything that happened during the stream.
Google I/O 2026: What to expect for AI
AI has been the major talking point at I/O for the past few years, and with the way the world is going, that isn't likely to change for 2026. AI was such a big deal last year that Google devoted almost the entire keynote address to its advances in artificial intelligence.
We've already heard about Gemini Intelligence at The Android Show, which will see Gemini embedded within the Android operating system — rather than as a standalone app you need to open. The idea being that Gemini can see and understand what you're trying to do, without forcing you to jump around to different tools.
Rumors also suggest that Google will unveil a new "Extended" thinking level for Gemini, as well as add support for certain third-party apps. Rumor has it that GitHub, OpenStax, Spotify and WhatsApp are involved, though I suspect more would arrive in time.
We should expect Google to go especially hard during I/O proper. AI research is happening at a breakneck pace, and you can be sure Google has made a lot of advances since last year. However, it's been quiet on the details, only confirming that agentic coding and model updates will be up for discussion.
It's been speculated that Google could reveal Gemini 4 at I/O, and we're likely to hear about updates to the Veo text-to-video model at the same time. Whether that can trump last year's phenomenal update isn't something we can predict right now. It's also about time we heard more about Project Astra, which was first teased a couple of years back as a universal AI assistant.
It's difficult to predict what might be revealed on the AI front. Not only does Google have a lot of diversity in its AI research, but it's also known to have surprise announcements that completely steal the show.
Though at the same time, I/O is a developer-focused conference, so there might not be a lot of consumer-centric reveals. It's impossible to say right now, but we can certainly expect some very big things on the AI front.
Google I/O 2026: What to expect for Android
We weren't entirely sure what to expect from Android 17 before the Android Show, since already quite far into the beta release cycle. The beta has been in the "Platform Stability" stage with the release of beta 3 at the end of March. This should have meant the software was locked in, with no new features, but this didn't stop Google from revealing some new ones at I/O.
Obviously, we know that Gemini Intelligence is going to play a bigger role in Android going forward, but there is plenty more on the way as well.
Features announced include being able to create custom widgets with AI, Gemini-powered tools for Chrome on Android, improved scam protection, a "Pause Point" to give you a break from doomscrolling, new 3D emojis, and a huge upgrade to Android Auto and Google Maps — complete with 3D visuals and improved lane guidance.
AirDrop support is also being expanded to more devices, along with a new QR code feature that lets you transfer files through the cloud. That will also be compatible with iPhones, which should help make transferring files across platforms even easier.
Instagram will also be getting more creator-friendly tools thrown into the mix. That includes an improved Android tablet app, as well as adding Ultra HDR and Night Sight support directly into the Instagram camera.
We didn't hear anything about Android XR at the Android Show, so that may still be on the cards for the I/O keynote. I personally hope it is, because it's been a while since we heard any concrete information about the mixed reality software.
Google I/O 2026: What to expect for devices
I/O is usually not a big event for devices, though there are often some exceptions. The Googlebook reveal at the Android Show is one such exception. Then again, considering this was primarily Google's reveal of the new desktop Android experience, the revelation that compatible devices are on the way shouldn't be a surprise.
In the past I/O has been host to the Pixel A-series or the Pixel Tablet, but it was rare that we got consistent device reveals. We're obviously not going to see the Pixel 10a, since it's already on sale, and there's no chance of a Pixel Tablet 2 coming anytime soon.
Even the brief glimpse Google gave us of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro in 2022 was a one-time deal.
All these revelations came before Gemini, and before Google was investing so heavily in AI tools and features. Which is a long way of saying that Google has an awful lot of other stuff to cover, and there isn't enough time to dwell on the next wave of Google phones and devices.
That's what dull launch events hosted by Jimmy Fallon are for.
Google I/O 2026: Everything else
Google is obviously a very big company, and that means there are a lot of different products that could be on the agenda at I/O. There are the major players like Chrome and Nest, plus more niche areas like Waymo's autonomous taxi service and Google Pay.
Whether they'll get any attention in the keynote address is another matter entirely, though. It's more likely that these areas of the company will be part of their own talks, which aren't live-streamed.
It's always interesting heading into Google I/O, especially with how Google has changed its software release strategy over the past few years. But aside from knowing what the general beats are likely to be, we don't know much about anything specific Google may have in store. We'll just have to wait for May 19 to find out.
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