Google I/O is Google’s developer conference (hence “I/O,” short for “Input/Output”), an event that showcases the very best of Google’s work over the last twelve months. So, we’re expecting nothing short of great things for Google I/O 2017, which will take place Wednesday, May 17 up through Friday, May 19 in Mountain View, California.

Android O

The biggest topic on tech enthusiast minds for Google I/O would have to be Android O, Google’s upcoming system update that is said to make Android better and more efficient in battery life, among other areas. The “O” in Android O still lacks a name and version number, though our best guess for the new update is Android Oreo, version 8.0. Google has teased Oreo cookies, so this is most likely the chosen name despite the company’s delay in announcing it.

From the first Android O developer preview, we can get a good idea for what Google’s Android O announcement will reveal: features such as greater background limits for processes, notification channels to increase user control, Autofill APIs to help fill in information such as the user’s name, address, zip code, telephone number, and so on, in the event of a retail or shopping purchase, as well as a picture-in-picture (PIP) mode designed for doing two things at once. Since Google has been invested in its developer previews, there are perhaps new features Google has added since the initial preview that we’ll get to see. Google could also announce the arrival of the Android Beta Program for Android O, which could allow consumers to test the software without having to manually install it. The tech giant always leaves surprises, and hopefully Google IO 2017 will bring a few of its own.

Google Assistant

Google Assistant was unveiled by Google last Fall when the search giant announced the beginning of its own smartphone collection with the Google Pixel phones. In fact, a large portion of the announcement’s beginning was consumed with Google Assistant – and with good reason. Though the Pixel and Pixel XL showcase Google Assistant marvelously, as the digital assistant can tell jokes, provide weather information, pull up information on anything from food to movies, cars, books, flights, and even vacations, the technology is looking dated at this point. Google intends to stay competitive in the AI space, considering that companies such as Apple and Samsung have launched their own AIs. Die-hard assistant lovers will want to know what Google intends to do to keep Google Assistant competitive in the months to come, and this could very well start with added support for new languages.

Google Assistant could see a roll out to the car (Android Auto), as Google is concerned with its new AI becoming a trend on as many devices as possible (though its landing on tablets is still delayed). Google has already started rolling out Google Assistant to other Android devices and is rumored to expand to the iOS mobile platform soon, meaning that iPhone users would also have access to the new AI. Perhaps this may be the push that Apple needs to get a little more “Siri-ous” about Siri. On the whole, expect Google Assistant to do more than it did when Google CEO Sundar Pichai unveiled it back in October.

Google Home

Alongside the Google Assistant is Google Home. When Google announced the device at last year’s I/O convention, the company commended Amazon for its Echo devices and praised Amazon’s creation as forward-thinking for the industry. When Google commends a product, it speaks volumes. Google Home has thus, been the answer to Amazon Alexa speakers.

Google has since partnered with Honeywell and Belkin Wemo so that their devices are controllable by way of Google Home and has brought Google Home compatibility to Netflix and Google Photos, demonstrating that the Google Assistant is the center of an automated home (the next big thing). We could see Google unveil a Google Home follow-up this year, along with some new capabilities and perhaps added ones that will appear on the current Google Home device. The stage has already been set for expanding Google Home functionality with the new voice-activated shopping as well as multi-user support made possible by Google Assistant. ‘Actions on Google‘ is in need of more developer support and the Google Assistant SDK is finally making its way out, a little late, but better than never.

Google Wi-Fi

Google Wi-Fi was announced last year to boost internet signals inside buildings and thus, improve internet access and performance. Little has been said about Google Wi-Fi, but we perceive an updated model is in the works. Google Wi-Fi will most likely work in tandem with Google Home, and if we’re lucky, we may just get a sneak peek at Google’s possible plans to launch a hybrid device sometime down the line.

Daydream VR

At Google I/O last year, the tech giant launched its very own Daydream VR platform for Android devices. Hints about the company’s VR headset (named “Daydream View”) were also revealed, as well as a design for Android OEMs to follow in crafting headsets of their own. We can see Google’s influence with Samsung’s new Gear VR with Controller that the Korean giant announced earlier this year at MWC 2017, but Google could announce a new design or at least hint at one for the upcoming Pixel 2 announcement this Fall. We could also see a new UI look for Daydream users, in lieu of Android O.

Daydream has been around for a year now, and the platform is in need of some new apps. We don’t know if Google will announce new partnering app companies, but we can expect some announcement regarding platform upgrades and changes at the upcoming event.

Android Wear

Google has had some Android Wear announcements at the Google I/O developer conferences of years past. In 2014, Google announced the Android Wear platform. At Google I/O; in 2015, Google announced software changes to Android Wear. In 2016, Google announced changes that would come to the wearables platform in Android Wear 2.0. And yet, the company finds its platform in a rather hard place in 2017. Samsung left Android Wear after crafting the Gear Live smartwatch in 2014, and Motorola announced at the end of 2016 a possible departure from Android Wear. This week, rumors are circulating that ASUS will also drop out, and Sony, having announced a Smartwatch 3 for Android Wear two years ago, doesn’t have a Smartwatch 4 in the works.

Yes, there are brand players in the space such as TAG Heuer, Casio, Swarovski, and other Android OEMs such as ZTE with its Quartz smartwatch, for example, Huawei with its Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic, Movado with five new watch models, New Balance with its RunIQ athletic wrist wearable, LG and Google with the new LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style, and Big Red brings its Wear 24 smartwatch into the race, but the departure of well-known Android smartphone OEMs doesn’t bode well for the platform. We’re in the dark as to how Google plans to counteract or respond to Android Wear OEM departures, and, with Android Wear 2.0 having been released earlier this Spring, we don’t expect an Android Wear 3.0 announcement any time soon. Perhaps Google will announce some new partners.

Chromecast

Google has pushed ahead in the rising demand for more multimedia content. The company’s first Chromecast was designed to provide great video and TV show quality for those who want to project their phone shows and videos onto the big screen (just plug-in the dongle in the TV, connect to Wi-Fi, and that’s it). The company has followed up with the success of its $35 Chromecast with the $69 4K Chromecast Ultra last Fall at the Made By Google 16 event. The goal, as always, is to provide great multimedia content no matter which device you’re using at the time. Just what surprises for Chromecast lie in store are a matter of waiting and watching, but we could see some price drops on current Chromecast devices and perhaps an updated design. Keep in mind that Google also re-branded Google Cast to ‘Chromecast Built-in‘ mid-way through the year, which may come with some implications. We hope to find out more.

Android TV

Google doesn’t want to be left behind in the Smart TV sector, either, especially with Google Assistant now on Android TV. And yet, since the roll out of Google Assistant to the device, all has been quiet on this front. Perhaps something is in store for Google I/O 2017, though one can only speculate. One idea is better integration with the rather new YouTube TV service. Another is some added content and support from third-party manufacturers as well as the developer community. It’s also possible that the capabilities of the Google Assistant for TV expand in order to help bridge the gap between other connected devices.

The main event is to be Google’s keynote, which will start promptly at 10:00am Pacific on Wednesday with Sundar Pichai. This address is expected to last for approximately one and a half hours before closing down into small groups for more detailed sessions.

For more on what to expect during the three days of Google-mania, read our roundup post linked below.

http://devs.droidturf.com/google-io-2017-will-be-held-may-17th-may-19th-heres-what-to-expect/

Here’s our weekly poll, aka question of the week. We’ve noted lots in this post, but what we really want to know is what tech slated for this year’s Google I/O developer conference are you most excited to hear about? We’ve included some likely choices, though it’s still anybody’s guess as to what Google will pick to address during its 1.5 hour keynote. Watch Google’s event online right here.

Submit your answer in our weekly poll. You can find it embedded down below or on our right sidebar. Be sure to let us know any of your thoughts in the comment section as well. We look forward to hearing your response.

Droid Turf will be covering the event starting Wednesday and ending Friday, as well as everything leading up to it and post event analysis as well as event insight. We’ll keep you posted on everything Google I/O 2017 right as it happens! Follow us on social media for up to the minute updates.