Google I/O to delve into virtual reality, artificial intelligence

East Palo Alto middle school students Juan Garcia, Ernesto Cambron and Xavier Herrera at a youth session. East Palo Alto middle school students Juan Garcia, Ernesto Cambron and Xavier Herrera at a youth session. Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Google I/O to delve into virtual reality, artificial intelligence 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Thousands of developers will trek to Google’s developer conference, I/O, on Wednesday in Mountain View to hear the latest updates on Android, virtual reality and machine learning.

The search giant will hold a two-hour keynote presentation that analysts expect will delve into new features like split screens on its Android smartphone operating system, a rumored all-in-one virtual reality headset and, perhaps, a device similar to the Amazon Echo that recognizes voice commands.

“Google is at the point now where they are really looking at expanding way beyond search and mobile platforms,” said Tim Bajarin, president of advisory services firm Creative Strategies.

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Last year’s Google I/O — the initials stand for “input, output” — drew 5,600 people. The event, being held this year at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, has turned into a nearly weeklong affair.

It kicked off Tuesday when Google engineers showed 120 Bay Area students, ages 8 to 13, the basics of coding and robots. While the I/O conference for adults costs $900 for a general admission ticket, the students didn’t have to pay.

Like the rest of the conference, I/O Youth has grown, starting two years ago with just 30 students. Pavni Diwanji, a vice president of engineering at Google, called it a way to inspire children intrigued by technology.

Google, she said, wants “to encourage them to be creative for tomorrow.”

While the kids focused on holograms and robots, adults attending the next three days of sessions will have their eyes on other things.

Virtual reality: Some analysts anticipate that Google will unveil its own all-in-one virtual reality headset.

Unlike Facebook’s Oculus Rift, the headset would not be tethered to a computer or game console, said Gene Munster, an analyst with Piper Jaffray. And in contrast to Samsung’s Gear VR, users would not need to attach it to their phone. Munster said he believes Google’s all-in-one headset could retail for $400 to $600 and could be on sale by the end of the year.

Munster said Google is increasing its investment in virtual and augmented reality, which he believes could one day replace smartphones.

“If mixed-reality computing is the new paradigm, they better get going on it,” he said.

Google has already heavily invested in augmented reality firm Magic Leap, and has been hiring people with virtual reality experience. By Munster’s count, gleaned from LinkedIn data, Google employs 350 people with virtual reality experience — more VR experts than work at Facebook.

Android updates: Google is also likely to discuss updates to its Android operating system. In March, the company unveiled an update, with the working title Android N, that allows users to split the screens on their devices, viewing multiple windows at once.

Some analysts are also hopeful that Google will better integrate Android with the company’s Chrome operating system. While Google’s lightweight and inexpensive Chromebook laptops have found a following, developers haven’t created as many apps for Chrome as for Android, said Patrick Moorhead, president of Moor Insights and Strategy.

“There are very few developing for the platform, but you have hundreds of thousands of developers on Android,” Moorhead said. “It’s time to bring those more closely together.”

Internet-connected home: Some analysts also believe that Google may be working on a device similar to the Amazon Echo and could mention it at I/O. The device would take voice commands to control Internet-connected devices in the home, turning lights or appliances on and off, analysts said.

“The whole idea is to gain a greater foothold into people’s homes,” Bajarin said.

It’s unclear to which division of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, this product would belong. Nest, an Alphabet division that sells Internet-connected thermostats, smoke detectors and cameras, has come under fire from some analysts for introducing too few new devices.

“We really need to get the show on the road here and start delivering some products,” Moorhead said.