Google sets date for I/O 2026 Android developers conclave

Search engine giant Google has announced to host the 2026 edition of the annual I/O developers conference later this year in May.

Like the previous, Google I/O 2026 programme will be conducted in the backyard of the company's Mountain View headquarters on May 19 and will conclude the next day.

Google's top man, CEO Sundar Pichai and other senior executives are slated to deliver keynote presentations. It will be followed by sessions, demos, networking opportunities for developers and more, continuing on day two (May 20).

Google I/O 2026: Here's what to expect at the annual developers conference

Google is expected to offer updates on its Android OS, advanced generative Artificial Intelligence (gen AI) models-- Gemini, and related products such as Imagen 4 and Veo 3 to generate high-resolution images and videos.

The company is expected to bring a new version of Project Astra. The latter is capable of understanding complex queries and has long conversations with device owners to perform multiple tasks in less time.

We can also expect a new version of the Google Flow AI cinema creator tool. It can assist users in effortlessly creating cinematic stories and scenes.

Users can describe the scene in natural language and manage the elements such as the cast, locations, objects and styles of the story in a single convenient place.

Based on the script, Flow can weave the narrative into beautiful scenes. Google may possibly expand the availability of Flow AI to more regions this year.

We can also expect Google to bring a fully functional Google Beam, an AI-first 3D video communication platform. It runs Google's most advanced state-of-the-art AI volumetric video model, which makes the video calls appear fully 3D from any perspective.

It can seamlessly transform standard 2D video streams into realistic 3D experiences, allowing the user to connect more naturally and intuitively. It is likely to be integrated with the Google Meet application.

The company is unlikely to launch new Pixel phones, but may offer a sneak peek at the Pixel 11 series and possibly reveal more details about the Android XR-power smart glasses.

Already, Google partner Samsung has launched the Galaxy XR, an augmented reality headset, in select markets such as the US and South Korea.

We expect Google to bring a lighter version, like Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses, but with much better in terms of user interface, high resolution camera, mics and speakers.

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