14 DAY TRIAL // Google I/O annual developer conference will take place a little earlier than usual this year, as the event is scheduled to kick off in San Francisco on May 28.
Google has officially shared the schedule for Google I/O 2015 this week, and as you might expect, the search giant slipped in some hints regarding what we can hope to see during the event. Here's what we found to be the most appealing points of interest.
Android M
During previous Google I/O conferences, Google unveiled the next version of Android. And it has been recently revealed that the company has the same thing in mind this year. Sure, there hasn’t been any official confirmation in this regard, but its Google I/O website has listed an event session with a description that included a reference to “Android M.”
“Android M is bringing power of Android to all kids of workplaces. This opens new markets for hundreds of millions of devices to workers at small business, desktop workers, logistics and warehousing jobs; all be empowered by adoption of Android devices at Work,” it said.
The session has since been removed from the website, but the information slipped into the wild, so the rumor mill is already speculating on what Android M will end up being called. A while ago, we brought you a concept of the next-gen version of Android, which the designer called Android Muffin.
New wearable with Android Wear (maybe)
Android Wear has been around for quite some time and is currently powering an entire host of smartwatches. But during the I/O conference, Google might take the opportunity to unveil a new wearable, perhaps based on its own hardware and running an updated version of Android Wear.
On top of that, Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects team might also have to show us an interesting new wearable, but details related to it are quite scarce at the moment.
New “Nearby” function
We have been hearing rumors that Google is developing a location-aware “Nearby” feature for Android devices that could alert users of the presence of nearby “people, places and things.”
The feature could potentially be used to deliver location-based alerts like reminders and ads, and it might end up competing with Apple’s iBeacon technology, which is implemented in the latest iOS version.
The “Proximity-Based Communication” session does seem to indicate that Google is ready to talk some more about the “Nearby” function.
Voice Access
In the near future, Android users might be able to control their apps on their phone using their voice via a new feature called Voice Access, which Google might introduce at I/O 2015.
We’re not sure if the new function will be embedded into the next iteration of Android, but the session titled “Your app, now available hands-free” surely does seem to indicate something along these lines.
Android Auto
Google introduced Android Auto in the Google Play Store not so long ago, a variant of the company’s mobile OS that controls in-car infotainment system. But since the technology is in its infancy, we expect it to receive a lot of updates.
Google might take a moment at its conference to announce new partnerships with more car makers and manufacturers of in-car units for this service.
There are a bunch of sessions focused on the topic, including “Getting your app on the road with Android Auto” and “Designing for Driving.”
It would also be cool if Google’s self-driving car made an appearance at I/O, but this is just wishful thinking at the moment.
