What is Google I/O? It’s an annual developer conference where Google announces new hardware, software, and various updates for its existing apps and services.
When and where is Google I/O? The event is on now, kicking off Tuesday, May 7, and ending Thursday, May 9. It will take place at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.
How to watch Google I/O? As with every year, Google will live stream its keynote and various other events. You can watch it in the video below. If you just want to read about everything discussed during the main keynote, click here.
Are tickets still available? Google uses a raffle system and selects attendees at random among those who have registered on the company’s website. The lucky winners still have to pay for tickets, which cost $1,150 (general admission), $750 (community), and $375 (academic). Registration for the event has closed and Google has already notified raffle winners via email, so tickets aren’t available anymore. Those who didn’t get tickets or who cannot travel to Mountain View may be able to attend local I/O Extended events. Be sure to check the listings.
What’s happened so far at Google I/O 2019?
To see what’s coming up at Google I/O, check out the posted event hub along with a basic schedule. Below, you’ll find summaries of what’s already been announced as well as what we expect to hear about before the conference ends.
Android Q Beta 3
Google announced the third beta for Android Q on stage at Google I/O. The third beta brings in a few new features, which we’ll get to in a minute. However, the most notable aspect of this new beta is that it can be installed on 21 different smartphones from 12 OEMs. This is far more devices than Android P supported in 2018.
Google has already released first and second developer previews of Android Q, but only for Pixel devices.
The initial betas have given us a good peek already at Q. Android Q will: support different accent colors, smooth over sharing tools, adjust notification clearing, ease Wi-Fi sharing via QR codes, add a secret desktop mode, add a native screen recorder, change volume settings functions, tweak microphone features, and much more.
On stage during the main keynote, Google specifically mentioned the following features:
- Native support for foldable devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy Fold.
- Native support for 5G.
- Live Caption, which can automatically create captions for audio and videos. The feature can be used offline.
- System-wide Smart Reply, usable in non-Google messaging apps, such as Signal.
- Smart suggestions which recommend app actions based on messages. For example, bringing up Maps when someone texts you an address.
- Native dark theme.
- Completely revamped privacy settings with an emphasis on ultimate user control.
- The ability to apply security patches without needing to reboot.
- Focus Mode, which lets you silence certain apps from sending you notifications. This will come to Android 9 Pie as well.
- Family Link, which lets you control your kids’ screen time, among other smartphone features.
- Developers can manually push updates to apps installed on your phone.
Interested in checking out the latest developer preview? Find out how to install Android Q at the link.
