(Credit: Google)
Google I/O gets underway Tuesday, May 19, at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET, and if there's one thing to expect, it's lots of AI. Google's Gemini AI is on deck for a major overhaul and could find its way into more places in our lives. We'll also get a rundown of how AI will touch Android Auto, Android XR, and Aluminum OS, Google's wholly Android-based desktop operating system, primed to make a big splash on Googlebooks.
How to Watch the Google I/O 2026 Keynote
Google I/O starts with a livestreamed keynote beginning at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. Afterward, Google will stream the developer keynote at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET. Although the developer portion might sound like a snooze fest if you don't speak the technical language, it often delves a bit deeper into what's fully possible with the announcements Google made during the opening keynote.
After the show, there are two days of programming. Developers and registered attendees of Google I/O are the first to access the sessions, though they'll eventually be uploaded to the official Google for Developers YouTube channel for others to watch later.
Android 17: We Got an Earful Already
Last year, Google broke with tradition and held a completely separate event for all Android-related developer news. On Tuesday, May 12, Google announced what's coming in Android 17 at the Android Show. We learned what's next for Android across all facets: on the phone, on wearables, in the car, and wherever else you're likely to encounter the little green bot. Android's "biggest update" might also signal the final shift from a mobile operating system to a product that's much more Gemini-forward. With these news bits out of the way, we're wondering if Google has any surprises in store for its I/O keynote.
Gemini: Predictive AI is Next
(Credit: Google)Gemini has been the main focus of the Google I/O keynote for the past few years. We're expecting to hear more about the large language model's proactive agentic capabilities, likely to be named Remy, after the main character in Pixar's Ratatouille. It's designed to act autonomously, like a personal agent that answers your emails and makes calendar entries for you without the initial input.
Gemini is also expected to get a version number bump, along with a major overhaul that includes an interface refresh and a unified, native multimodal model that handles images, text, audio, video, and code within a single prompt. We're also expecting larger context windows, which will enable Gemini to analyze more data than before. Gemini's creative suite, which includes Veo, its video generator, and Lyria, its music generator, will have some dedicated time in the keynote. And iPhone users, there is talk that you may be graced with an overhaul of the Gemini mobile app for iOS.
Android XR: The Debut of Smart Glasses (Again)
(Credit: Google/XReal)Android XR was the scene-stealer at last year's Google I/O. This year, we're expecting to see the smart glasses make their official debut before the world, after being previewed just six months ago. Hopefully, it's the launch of XReal's Project Aura for developers. We'll likely get more details on when the Gentle Monster and Warby Parker collaborations will become available to everyone else.
Aluminum OS: The Android Desktop
Aluminum OS, the unified operating system that will effectively merge Android and ChromeOS, will have its official showcase at this year's Google I/O. The desktop operating system is built on the Android stack and offers a desktop experience that better supports Android apps and traditional computer things, like connected peripherals and windowing. The developer preview will reportedly go live after the keynote. We'll hear more about how Google is working with Qualcomm to make chips for these types of devices. During the Android Show, Google called this new class of hardware Googlebooks and said they will be "Gemini first."
Odds and Ends: Search and the Home
(Credit: Will Greenwald)In Alphabet's Q1 2026 earnings call, CEO Sundar Pichai teased that there will be more to share "about search at I/O." Last year, the developer conference introduced us to Google Search's AI mode. Expect this year's announcements to focus on the Gemini 4 upgrade and what it means for multi-context search, as well as what's new with the company's custom-made Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which help facilitate all the AI magic.
What the rumor mill hasn't churned out much of is what's happening inside the smart home, particularly concerning that Google Home speaker that is supposed to be on sale this spring. Well, it's spring, and we're well past the equinox. Maybe Google was waiting for the stars to be properly aligned before setting the shop live. Hopefully, it's on sale at the Google Store once Pichai walks off the stage.
Tune in with us on May 19. We'll be on the ground reporting what's next at Google I/O 2026.