The search engine giant Google has snapped up 25 cutting-edge tech companies since its last I/O conference.
Google I/O 2014 starts on June 25 and, coincidentally, the search engine giant snapped up 25 cutting-edge tech companies since its last conference.
That means intimidating-looking robots, smart home technology and smartwatches are among the rumors for the Google I/O keynote. The developer schedule strongly hints at a strong gaming and wearables. We have a list of Google I/O rumors and predictions.
1. Android 5.0 lollipop to lick iOS
Google is overdue for an L-themed Android 5.0 update, and there's reason to believe its name will be a Google logo-appropriate "lollipop" on a stick. Google I/O happens nine months after KitKat 4.4 was announced, and we're in the mood for something non-chocolatey.
The timing is right. Android updates happen every five to eight months; Ice Cream Sandwich came out eight months after Honeycomb and Jelly Bean 4.1 came out eight months after ICS. Jelly Bean 4.2, 4.3 and KitKat 4.4 averaged five months between them.
New features could include better cross-platform messaging integration and new apps that take into account Google's forthcoming line of smartwatches.
Sure, Google merged SMS and Hangouts into one, but texts still don't appear on computers. Apple pulled it off seamlessly with iMessages on Mac and iOS 7 and is about to perfect SMS on devices with iOS 8.
There needs to be an Android-Chrome equivalent with SMS and Hangouts baked into the mobile app and unifies the two modes for messaging.
Google Voice is also long overdue to be rolled into Google Hangouts, an app that has gobbled up text messaging, instant messaging and video calls into one location in recent months.
The latest Android 4.4.3 update brought a slightly tweaked dialer, but we're ready to be rid of these silent piecemeal changes for something more significant at Google IO.
Just don't expect the pure Android Nexus 6 to appear alongside with these software changes. Google's focusing on its Android Silver launch and it may be doing away with its Nexus program.
2. Updates to Nexus 10, Chromebook Pixel 2
Google likes to introduce Android updates with new hardware. That's perfect because it needs a new larger Nexus tablet to compete with the redesigned 9.7-inch iPad Air.
The Nexus 10 2014 would do the trick, but it may not come from Samsung. The South Korean electronics giant is doing its own 10-inch thing with the Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Asus and LG could easily fill that role and have provided Google with Nexus hardware before. In fact, Asus may already be making a Nexus 8 tab to replace its popular Nexus 7 later this year.
The developer-only Project Tango Tablet, meanwhile, could also act as a Google I/O 2014 giveaway. Like the Project Tango phone, this 7-inch slate has multiple cameras and depth sensors to map the 3D world. It's also roughly the price of a Google I/O ticket.
New Chrome OS features at Google I/O could be delivered through a Chromebook Pixel refresh even though the laptop's existing specs are strong. It's the price that needs to come down.
A Chromebook Pixel 2 could be why the Google Play Store is currently out of stock of select models of Google's premium notebook with a square-shaped screen.
3. It's time for a Google watch
Smartwatches powered by Google's Android Wear platform are expected at the conference, but we don't foresee an official Google watch being announced just yet.
Instead, the square-shaped LG G Watch in stealth black and champagne gold colors is going to match the forthcoming LG G3 phone quite nicely.
Motorola's even more fashionable circular Moto 360 is due also for its first on-stage appearance at Google IO. Expect it to feature wireless inductive charging and a price around $249.
The difference between these two Android Wear watches and the equally sophisticated-looking Pebble Steel and Samsung Gear 2 comes down to predictive Google Now-like alerts.
The company's intelligent software delivers relevant information to your wrist - from counting down the stops before you exit a public bus to Jellyfish warnings before entering the ocean.
The rumored Apple iWatch is said to focus on fitness with Nike in tow, so expect Google to tout activity tracking features too. Google Fit may roll heart rate, steps taken and blood glucose data into one platform.
The LG G Watch release date is thought to be July 7, but we should have hands-on June 25, right on top of Google I/O. Moto 360, meanwhile, is coming this summer and Samsung, HTC and Fossil are expected to announce Android Wear watches in the near future.
4. More Google Glass, fewer skydiving stunts
Google Glass is perhaps more controversial than it was a year ago, but curious beta testers are still paying its wild $1,500 price now that it's available to everyone in the US.
That's good news for Google, but it doesn't really bode well for its fans who want a Google Glass consumer version at a more affordable price from the conference.
Think about it. It'd be a slap in every Glasshole's geeked-out face if Google encouraged them to buy Glass during Aprils much-hyped one-day sale and May's open enrollment if a newer and cheaper version came out in June.
This only this would work is if Google gave all Explorers the consumer version for free. It would account for the steep built-in price when analysts have pegged the consumer edition at as little as $300. But that may be wishful thinking among Explorers.
Instead, the international rollout of Google Glass would please the UK and Australia, and it's a distinct possibility now that Google has dropped invites and its silly timed-sale teasing altogether in the US.
We also expect more apps via Google's open Glass API to be announced along with a demo of what the recent Android KitKat upgrade means for the wearable tech's future.
Anything more than a consumer version preview or a release date is unlikely, but a free Explorer Edition as a giveaway to attendees isn't a long shot given the cost of Google I/O tickets.
5. More reasons to tune into Chromecast
Google has sold a bunch of Chromecast dongles, but it doesn't mean much if there aren't more apps available for the inexpensive media streaming device.
The company has a long way to go before it catches up to the app lists of the Apple TV, Roku 3 and similarly shaped Roku Streaming Stick.
The new Amazon Fire TV set-top box is also hot on its trail thanks to Amazon Instant Video. In fact, all of Google's Android devices lack. We'd also it and Spotify in the US and Sky, iTV and Demand 5 in the UK.
That could happen at Google I/O. We fully expect more app announcements and a personalized main menu with the weather and photos to come to the thumb drive-sized smart TV device.
Just don't expect YouTube's Music Pass to be one of its new streaming services. It's reportedly been delayed over licensing issues. Casting the subscription-based Google Music will have to do.
It's also a wonder why Chromecast doesn't fully support Android device mirroring, a trick that makes us love the iOS-projecting Apple TV. We could be in for a true AirPlay rival at Google IO.
6. Google to rev up a CarPlay rival?
Google beat Apple's iWatch to the punch with Android Wear, but their positions are curiously reversed when comes to in-dash car technology.
It certainly seems to be taking a backseat to Apple CarPlay, an iOS-based infotainment system that was announced two months ago. Where exactly is "Android in the Car?"
Google's infotainment system is still expected to be unveiled in 2014, which makes the June Google I/O conference the appropriate rollout vehicle, if you will.
The company doesn't have to do much to catch up. Just saying "We have Google Maps," should do the trick given its navigation track record and the performance history of Apple Maps.
An all-in-one system for maps, messages and music could alleviate distracted driving and end up making the Android port to cars Google's most important new product category for 2014.
Doubly, Google's infotainment system could potentially support Android and iOS devices, which would contrast with the iPhone-only Apple CarPlay.
It'd be a bummer to have a friend unable to pipe a playlist through the stereo because they own a rival phone. This is where Google usually succeeds and Apple's walled-garden lets us down.
The far-off Google self-driving car may also have us all sucked into the company's car ecosystem eventually, giving Google a trifecta: Maps, autonomous cars and device compatibility.
7. An army of robot inventors for a robot army
Larry Page and Sergey Brin may not be the only headline-worthy names to grace the Google I/O stage. The co-founders' army of robots may be ready for their big debut.
The company bought proven robot maker Boston Dynamics at the end of last year as well as six other robot manufacturers over the course of just eight days.
Google is clearly building an army of brainy robot designers in advance of building its real-life Android army, and it's tasking Android inventor Andy Rubin as their overseer.
Are we in for a Jetsons-style future or are Google robots intended for manufacturing? The I/O conference could give us a sense of why they're such an important talent-driven moonshot.
8. Building another Nest
Also part of Google's "new class" is Nest Labs, the inventive home automation company that is bringing age-old appliances up to speed in our app-driven world.
Google just started selling its intelligent Nest thermostat in the Google Play Store, and we could see its availability reach beyond the US, Canada and UK. It technically works in other countries.
The Nest Protect smoke and CO2 detector, on the other hand, hasn't worked 100% of the time in any country. An alarm feature called Wave Silence was found to disable it accidentally and a recall.
It's back on sale at a cheaper price, but without gesture feature that caused the problem. Could a firmware fix at Google IO bring it back along with more Nest inventions?
Let's just hope it doesn't lead to Google ads everywhere we turn in our futuristic smart homes.
9. More to the Project Ara LEGO phone
Phone upgrades could happen piecemeal thanks to Google's Project Ara, an initiative to create a modular phone with upgradeable parts.
It's an ambitious idea that doesn't exactly make room for ultra-slim form factors, but could save users money and reduce cellphone waste.
It also doesn't have to stop at mod-friendly smartphones, either. The term "Internet of Things" was thrown around at the first Project Ara conference.
Project Ara could lead to customizable tablets, smartwatches and laptops in the future, much to the delight of PC builders everywhere.
10. A healthy dose of Fiber
The Google I/O conference may fulfill our daily Fiber requirements when the company updates us on its rollout of Netflix-friendly Gigabit internet throughout the US.
Google's broadband network is touted as being 100 times faster than what most Americans currently experience, but so far it's limited to three cities: Kansas, Austin, and Provo, Utah.
Google is in early discussions with 34 cities in 9 metro areas that want a piece of its fiber-optic network. Atlanta, Portland, Nashville and San Jose in Google's own backyard may be next.
Implementing Google Fiber in America's largest cities may require cable-laying alternatives like city-wide WiFi. It's an idea other companies and governments have tried and failed to deliver.
Google has the pipes to make it happen. Its investment in drones and Project Loon could bring Gigabit internet to your town or at least pressure cable providers into offering something similar.
That means intimidating-looking robots, smart home technology and smartwatches are among the rumors for the Google I/O keynote. The developer schedule strongly hints at a strong gaming and wearables. We have a list of Google I/O rumors and predictions.
1. Android 5.0 lollipop to lick iOS
Google is overdue for an L-themed Android 5.0 update, and there's reason to believe its name will be a Google logo-appropriate "lollipop" on a stick. Google I/O happens nine months after KitKat 4.4 was announced, and we're in the mood for something non-chocolatey.
The timing is right. Android updates happen every five to eight months; Ice Cream Sandwich came out eight months after Honeycomb and Jelly Bean 4.1 came out eight months after ICS. Jelly Bean 4.2, 4.3 and KitKat 4.4 averaged five months between them.
New features could include better cross-platform messaging integration and new apps that take into account Google's forthcoming line of smartwatches.
Sure, Google merged SMS and Hangouts into one, but texts still don't appear on computers. Apple pulled it off seamlessly with iMessages on Mac and iOS 7 and is about to perfect SMS on devices with iOS 8.
There needs to be an Android-Chrome equivalent with SMS and Hangouts baked into the mobile app and unifies the two modes for messaging.
Google Voice is also long overdue to be rolled into Google Hangouts, an app that has gobbled up text messaging, instant messaging and video calls into one location in recent months.
The latest Android 4.4.3 update brought a slightly tweaked dialer, but we're ready to be rid of these silent piecemeal changes for something more significant at Google IO.
Just don't expect the pure Android Nexus 6 to appear alongside with these software changes. Google's focusing on its Android Silver launch and it may be doing away with its Nexus program.
2. Updates to Nexus 10, Chromebook Pixel 2
Google likes to introduce Android updates with new hardware. That's perfect because it needs a new larger Nexus tablet to compete with the redesigned 9.7-inch iPad Air.
The Nexus 10 2014 would do the trick, but it may not come from Samsung. The South Korean electronics giant is doing its own 10-inch thing with the Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Asus and LG could easily fill that role and have provided Google with Nexus hardware before. In fact, Asus may already be making a Nexus 8 tab to replace its popular Nexus 7 later this year.
The developer-only Project Tango Tablet, meanwhile, could also act as a Google I/O 2014 giveaway. Like the Project Tango phone, this 7-inch slate has multiple cameras and depth sensors to map the 3D world. It's also roughly the price of a Google I/O ticket.
New Chrome OS features at Google I/O could be delivered through a Chromebook Pixel refresh even though the laptop's existing specs are strong. It's the price that needs to come down.
A Chromebook Pixel 2 could be why the Google Play Store is currently out of stock of select models of Google's premium notebook with a square-shaped screen.
3. It's time for a Google watch
Smartwatches powered by Google's Android Wear platform are expected at the conference, but we don't foresee an official Google watch being announced just yet.
Instead, the square-shaped LG G Watch in stealth black and champagne gold colors is going to match the forthcoming LG G3 phone quite nicely.
Motorola's even more fashionable circular Moto 360 is due also for its first on-stage appearance at Google IO. Expect it to feature wireless inductive charging and a price around $249.
The difference between these two Android Wear watches and the equally sophisticated-looking Pebble Steel and Samsung Gear 2 comes down to predictive Google Now-like alerts.
The company's intelligent software delivers relevant information to your wrist - from counting down the stops before you exit a public bus to Jellyfish warnings before entering the ocean.
The rumored Apple iWatch is said to focus on fitness with Nike in tow, so expect Google to tout activity tracking features too. Google Fit may roll heart rate, steps taken and blood glucose data into one platform.
The LG G Watch release date is thought to be July 7, but we should have hands-on June 25, right on top of Google I/O. Moto 360, meanwhile, is coming this summer and Samsung, HTC and Fossil are expected to announce Android Wear watches in the near future.
4. More Google Glass, fewer skydiving stunts
Google Glass is perhaps more controversial than it was a year ago, but curious beta testers are still paying its wild $1,500 price now that it's available to everyone in the US.
That's good news for Google, but it doesn't really bode well for its fans who want a Google Glass consumer version at a more affordable price from the conference.
Think about it. It'd be a slap in every Glasshole's geeked-out face if Google encouraged them to buy Glass during Aprils much-hyped one-day sale and May's open enrollment if a newer and cheaper version came out in June.
This only this would work is if Google gave all Explorers the consumer version for free. It would account for the steep built-in price when analysts have pegged the consumer edition at as little as $300. But that may be wishful thinking among Explorers.
Instead, the international rollout of Google Glass would please the UK and Australia, and it's a distinct possibility now that Google has dropped invites and its silly timed-sale teasing altogether in the US.
We also expect more apps via Google's open Glass API to be announced along with a demo of what the recent Android KitKat upgrade means for the wearable tech's future.
Anything more than a consumer version preview or a release date is unlikely, but a free Explorer Edition as a giveaway to attendees isn't a long shot given the cost of Google I/O tickets.
5. More reasons to tune into Chromecast
Google has sold a bunch of Chromecast dongles, but it doesn't mean much if there aren't more apps available for the inexpensive media streaming device.
The company has a long way to go before it catches up to the app lists of the Apple TV, Roku 3 and similarly shaped Roku Streaming Stick.
The new Amazon Fire TV set-top box is also hot on its trail thanks to Amazon Instant Video. In fact, all of Google's Android devices lack. We'd also it and Spotify in the US and Sky, iTV and Demand 5 in the UK.
That could happen at Google I/O. We fully expect more app announcements and a personalized main menu with the weather and photos to come to the thumb drive-sized smart TV device.
Just don't expect YouTube's Music Pass to be one of its new streaming services. It's reportedly been delayed over licensing issues. Casting the subscription-based Google Music will have to do.
It's also a wonder why Chromecast doesn't fully support Android device mirroring, a trick that makes us love the iOS-projecting Apple TV. We could be in for a true AirPlay rival at Google IO.
6. Google to rev up a CarPlay rival?
Google beat Apple's iWatch to the punch with Android Wear, but their positions are curiously reversed when comes to in-dash car technology.
It certainly seems to be taking a backseat to Apple CarPlay, an iOS-based infotainment system that was announced two months ago. Where exactly is "Android in the Car?"
Google's infotainment system is still expected to be unveiled in 2014, which makes the June Google I/O conference the appropriate rollout vehicle, if you will.
The company doesn't have to do much to catch up. Just saying "We have Google Maps," should do the trick given its navigation track record and the performance history of Apple Maps.
An all-in-one system for maps, messages and music could alleviate distracted driving and end up making the Android port to cars Google's most important new product category for 2014.
Doubly, Google's infotainment system could potentially support Android and iOS devices, which would contrast with the iPhone-only Apple CarPlay.
It'd be a bummer to have a friend unable to pipe a playlist through the stereo because they own a rival phone. This is where Google usually succeeds and Apple's walled-garden lets us down.
The far-off Google self-driving car may also have us all sucked into the company's car ecosystem eventually, giving Google a trifecta: Maps, autonomous cars and device compatibility.
7. An army of robot inventors for a robot army
Larry Page and Sergey Brin may not be the only headline-worthy names to grace the Google I/O stage. The co-founders' army of robots may be ready for their big debut.
The company bought proven robot maker Boston Dynamics at the end of last year as well as six other robot manufacturers over the course of just eight days.
Google is clearly building an army of brainy robot designers in advance of building its real-life Android army, and it's tasking Android inventor Andy Rubin as their overseer.
Are we in for a Jetsons-style future or are Google robots intended for manufacturing? The I/O conference could give us a sense of why they're such an important talent-driven moonshot.
8. Building another Nest
Also part of Google's "new class" is Nest Labs, the inventive home automation company that is bringing age-old appliances up to speed in our app-driven world.
Google just started selling its intelligent Nest thermostat in the Google Play Store, and we could see its availability reach beyond the US, Canada and UK. It technically works in other countries.
The Nest Protect smoke and CO2 detector, on the other hand, hasn't worked 100% of the time in any country. An alarm feature called Wave Silence was found to disable it accidentally and a recall.
It's back on sale at a cheaper price, but without gesture feature that caused the problem. Could a firmware fix at Google IO bring it back along with more Nest inventions?
Let's just hope it doesn't lead to Google ads everywhere we turn in our futuristic smart homes.
9. More to the Project Ara LEGO phone
Phone upgrades could happen piecemeal thanks to Google's Project Ara, an initiative to create a modular phone with upgradeable parts.
It's an ambitious idea that doesn't exactly make room for ultra-slim form factors, but could save users money and reduce cellphone waste.
It also doesn't have to stop at mod-friendly smartphones, either. The term "Internet of Things" was thrown around at the first Project Ara conference.
Project Ara could lead to customizable tablets, smartwatches and laptops in the future, much to the delight of PC builders everywhere.
10. A healthy dose of Fiber
The Google I/O conference may fulfill our daily Fiber requirements when the company updates us on its rollout of Netflix-friendly Gigabit internet throughout the US.
Google's broadband network is touted as being 100 times faster than what most Americans currently experience, but so far it's limited to three cities: Kansas, Austin, and Provo, Utah.
Google is in early discussions with 34 cities in 9 metro areas that want a piece of its fiber-optic network. Atlanta, Portland, Nashville and San Jose in Google's own backyard may be next.
Implementing Google Fiber in America's largest cities may require cable-laying alternatives like city-wide WiFi. It's an idea other companies and governments have tried and failed to deliver.
Google has the pipes to make it happen. Its investment in drones and Project Loon could bring Gigabit internet to your town or at least pressure cable providers into offering something similar.
Google I/O 2014: 10 things we expect
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June 21, 2014
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