Things You Need to Know About Google I/O 2017
Google’s annual developers’ conference kicks off next week. I/O runs from Wednesday through next Friday in Mountain View, California. It includes workshops and on-hand technical help for developers. Apart from that, it also includes announcements of upcoming projects and endeavors by Google. It will feature a vast array of announcements from Google divisions from across the spectrum. Android is just one of them. The announcements that are made will primarily be targeted at developers. But there will still be plenty to keep regular folks busy too. I/O is a precious sneak peek inside the sprawling Google empire. It offers a look at all the cool things the company is working on.
Watching Google I/O
Not able to attend the I/O? Do not worry. Like last year, the official I/O website and corresponding app (iOS, Android) offer an interactive schedule. This allows you to keep track of upcoming developer sessions. Add the sessions you are interested in straight to your Google Calendar. You will then receive notifications before they start. Sessions with a black video camera icon will be available for live-streaming on YouTube via the Developers channel.
What to expect?
Android O
You are likely to hear more about Android O’s revamped notification system at the I/O, this year. Android O lets you snooze alerts and schedule them to reappear at a later time. Also, Notification Channels which allow developers to aggregate multiple notifications into a single bundle. Google will also likely talk about Android O’s battery life management. It puts strict limits on apps running in the background. Google could spend time detailing Android O’s high-quality Bluetooth audio capabilities.
Fuchsia
You might also get some information on Fuchsia. It’s a mysterious new operating system. Everybody is really hoping Google will spill the beans at I/O 2017. Fuchsia is also known as Armadillo. It is a little different from Google’s other operating systems in that it’s not based on Linux. It’s built around a kernel called Magenta. The company describes it as coded for modern phones and modern personal computers. It has a re-imagined user interface with a home screen that showcases your profile picture and the current day and time.
Along with that, a list of cards that show recent apps and Google Now-like contextual suggestions. It’s unclear if Fuchsia’s meant to be an alternative to Android. Hopefully, we will get the answers at I/O 2017.
Chromebooks
They may make an announcement regarding Chromebooks at I/O 2017. Chromebooks, such as Samsung’s new Chromebook Plus and Chromebook Pro, can run Android apps. Thought the feature has been in beta for months with little improvement. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a new Google Home announcement at I/O 2017. The first iteration of the device was unveiled at last year’s Google conference.
Google Assistant
They have kept the Assistant up to date. In April, Google Home gained the ability to distinguish between up to six different voices. It has also added a recipe feature that recommends dishes and guides you through the cooking process. The Assistant on Pixel received an update in order to control smart home devices. We don’t expect monumental Google Assistant news from I/O 2017. But there is a possibility for integrations with new services.
Android Wear
Earlier this year, They launched a reimagined version of the OS. Android Wear 2.0 features a revamped user interface, watch face Complications, the Google Assistant, and a Wear Google Play Store. Most of the year’s biggest Android Wear watch launches took place at Baselworld 2017. It’s the luxury trade show in Switzerland. But there’s a chance Google might announce minor tweaks at I/O 2017.
I/O 2017 Tickets
They held a contest for tickets to I/O 2017. The winners were able to purchase a ticket. But prices have gone up this year. For general admission tickets are $1,150, while academic tickets cost $375. The prices were $900 and $300 respectively last year. The ticket application window ran from February 22 – 27. The chosen few were notified via email on February 28. Developers were offered the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to I/O 2017. This was via Google’s Experiments Challenge competition. Here the developers could create an experiment based around Android, Chrome or AI.
Dates & Location
I/O will be a full three-day event. It will start with the all-important keynote. It will then be followed by a developer keynote and then breakout sessions, code labs, 1:1 time with various Google teams, product and software demos, presentations. I/O 2017 takes place between May 17-19. It is once again held at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California.
Bharat Mamtora is Online Marketer at Nimblechapps Mobile Game Development Company. We provide mobile game development services for iOS and Android Platform.