In about a few hours, search engine giant Google will kick-off the 11th edition of the company's prestigious annual developers' conclave -- Google I/O 2017 (May 17-19).
Google's I/O event will be held at Shoreline Amphitheatre on the backyard of the Mountain View headquarters at local time 10:00 am PT/ 1:00 pm ET (10:30 pm IST), where CEO- Sundar Pichai and other top honchos of the company will present keynote presentation on latest developments in Android mobile OS, improvements in Artificial Intelligence-based Google Assistant and many more projects.
Also read: Google tweaks its search engine algorithm to combat hate and fake news
Google I/O 2017: Top 5 announcements expected at developers conclave
Android O and new Android Wear OS:
Like previous years, Google I/0 2017's highlight will be the official launch of new mobile OS v8.0 Android O series. It was actually released to developers in March, but only for select registered software programmers and limited to only to a couple of Nexus and Pixel series phones and the also OS was half baked. Now, the Android O, which released at the event will have more features and will be made available to wider audience, and the full name of the 'O' series OS is also expected to revealed, as well
However, it will not be released to the public en masse just yet, as Google wants the volunteer developers to find bugs, which have been overlooked in the previous tests and make it more optimised and also develop compatible apps to run them on the new OS.
Even the new version of Android Wear for smartwatches will also be announced, as well.
Google Android powered Autonomous Cars:
Android Auto UI for cars has been around quite some time, but nothing path breaking features have been added so far. Now, reliable reports have indicated, Google will make huge announcements with regard to its secret Android-powered self-driving cars. The company, though not publicly responded over autonomous cars rumours, Google-branded cars have been spotted on the roads US cities. Many believe, Google might officially detail the roadmap of its pet project, which is most likely to take-off around 2020.
Google Android Pay:
It has been two years since Google announced mobile wallet Android Pay and despite having a huge brand name, but its adoption rate is abysmally low compared to rivals—Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
This year, Google is expected to announce key changes in Android Pay, to make it more popular and also expand it more markets like India, where digital transaction has just begun peak after the demonization of high currency notes (Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500).
Also read: Google's Gmail for Android gets money transfer option; here's how to get started
New Google VR headgear:
Last year's Google I/O witnessed the launch of the Daydream platform for VR (Virtual Reality)-compatible devices and also Daydream View headgear. It allowed its Pixel series phones and also select third-party branded top-end mobiles (with required hardware) to support VR videos and games.
In 2017, Google is expected to launch new VR headset with more advanced features including gesture controls.
Google Home 2.0:
Google Assistant-powered Home 2.0 is the another key announcement expected at the I/) event, as rival Apple, which is hosting the WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) on June 5, is said to launch Siri-powered smarthome assistant.
Google Home is currently retailed in US and UK and has garnered lot of appreciation, and even more in recent months. Google, in a bid to provide more personalised service added new feature to sync six different accounts of the owner's family.
Read more: Google Home now supports 6 different voices; here's how to add new accounts in 4 simple steps
Now, Google is expected to launch the second generation Home with more inbuilt features and also integration option with more third party home appliances, so that user will be able to control his gadgets in his/her house with just the voice.
Apart from the aforementioned topics, Google is expected to make announcements on many other products (software and hardware) such as new Chromecast video streaming device, Sasmung DeX (or Microsoft Continuum) like feature for Android, Google Assistant for iPhones, iPads and iPods, other Android related services and also host "LCD soundsystem" music concert on its campus on May 18.
Interested fans can log in to Google's official YouTube channel (HERE) to watch online at 9 pm ET/12 am PT local time (6:30 am Friday, May 19 IST).
