Google I/O 2014 : What to look forward to??

GoogleI/O Conference is going to start on 25^th June in San Francisco. Although it’s meant for developers but every year we see a whole set of new products and services that are launched just for the consumers.

This year the expectations are gone quite high. Intimidating-looking robots, smart home technology and smartwatches are among the rumours for the Google IO keynote. Also Google’s recent show for a Self-Driving Car also is expected for some update. This is all because of various leaks that have been coming up in the past few months. But the real magic will be seen when the show starts.

Google’s been working on a lot of things way beyond the smartphone technology. This all cannot be crammed up in a 2hr keynote on 25^th but it’s going to be the biggest nerd party of the year. Here are a few things to lookout at Google I/O this year.

Android’s Next Version might happen, whatever it be called 4.5 or 5.0 but the previous leaks have shown that something is cooking up and we might get a look. Unfortunately current signs indicate a much bigger event planned later this year so don’t get upset if it’s just a preview or something small.

Whenever the next update hits the leaks and rumours from Android Police indicates a whole lot of UI changes bringing Google’s Web Apps and Android Apps closer based on a framework “Quantum Paper”.

Android TV becoming a reality. Earlier this year Amazon’s Fire TV was launched and around the same time rumours began swirling of an Android TV. Leaks shows of it being an Interface rather than a computing platform. 

The Verge reported that Google TV is about to launch and its already in talks for major apps.

Android in the Car. So far Android has come on phone, tablet, wrist, face, TV but now it seems to be coming in your car too. Google has already partnered with car makers like GM, Audi, Honda and Hyundai so we hope to hear more during the event. It will be like Apple's CarPlay i.e., a remote control on dashboard controlling your car.

Android Home might become a reality. As we are already familiar of Google acquiring Nest and selling it via Google Devices so it seems quite an inclination towards entering your home. “Android@Home” have appeared online briefly but we hope to see some announcement on this too.

Google Glass need to go Commercial. Google held a one-day sale for Glass in April at $1,500 price tag – sold out according to CNET. Also it’s becoming quite popular with the Health and Medical departments. Recently, a surgery was performed in Chennai, India through Glass and was broadcasted to Jaipur, India Live. There is a lot of demand for Glass all over the world and Google needs to get it out of “explorer” mode. Probably it won’t happen at I/O but company may provide on update regarding its status.

Google Glass at DVF Fashion Event

A new Nexus Tablet may see some Light. A newer version of Android if launches will be with new hardware – keep a watch for it. Recent leaks and a picture at Google I/O website shows a tablet which is neither Nexus 10 nor Nexus 7. So maybe the rumours about a 8.9-inch tablet aka Volantis being manufactured by HTC be true. It might be powered by a powerful NVidia Tegra K1 processor making it interesting for gamers.

Possible images of Nexus 9

Possible leak of Nexus 9 on Google I/O Website

Android Wear is here. Earlier this year Google launched a version of Android made and designed exclusively for wearables like smartwatches. Moto 360, Motorola’s smartwatch was also displayed in a small video running Android Wear but LG’s G watch might be more centre at the event as its expected to be launched in July. We may see some live demos of Android Wear too. There is also Google Fit,Google’s rival to Apple’s HealthKit and also Samsung may debut a smartwatch running Android Wear this week. 

Weird will be fun. The number of crazy projects going on in Google are too many too count. Google Ara is a smartphone that can maps rooms in 3D. Project tango is a tablet mapping a room in 3D. Google Fibre is a high speed internet connection. Google Loon are hundreds of internet providing balloons in the sky. Clico want to cheat death. And Google has been acquiring numerous Robotic companies, no one knows why but it’s not tough to guess. It will be quite fun to watch what happens at I/O. The event begins on 25^th June at 9AM PT/9:30PM IST.