Google IO never ceases to amaze. We can't ignore the fact that bits of the hottest tech have come out of Google's annual developer gathering, while some of the world's most anticipated advancements, such as Google Glass, have captured our imaginations during the conference.
This year's show is stomping through San Francisco's Moscone Center May 15 - May 17, and we anticipate the 2013 iteration to be one for the ages.
Here's all the latest we've heard about what will come out of Google IO:
32GB Nexus 4 with LTE rumors swirl
Though definitely unconfirmed, rumors are whipping about that Google plans to unveil a new iteration of its popular Nexus 4 phone.
This one is said to offer a few goodies, namely LTE and CDMA support, both of which have limited which U.S. carriers can support the device.
There's also word Google may debut a 32GB model, addressing storage concerns of the 8GB and 16GB variants. All this amounts to some very interesting stuff.
An inkling of what's going on at Motorola
We've been told for a number of months that Motorola is moving along with product development. Eric Schmidt told the world the products in development there are phenomenal, and now CEO Larry Page has chimed in with word that he's very excited about what's going on there.
The problem is, no one is telling us what's going on there, and we're getting antsy.
Though there's been word Moto's new phones will be "just right" stock Android devices, we expect Google to use the spotlight of IO to give us some firmer details on the hardware under construction. It sounds like it's durable and has great battery life, but we want details!
Hopefully those will surface at IO.
Keep reading to see what we expect to come out of the conference:
Google always has something cooking, whether it be a new tablet, a new way to communicate or a new way to view the world. The crew from Mountain View will have the world watching during I/O, and we don't think it will disappoint.
So, without further ado, here are the 10 things we expect from Google IO 2013.
1. Blabbing about Babel
We've seen the screen grabs. We've read its description in a purported company memo. Now it's time to hear straight from Google's mouth what Babel is, what it does and when we can get it.
Reports and our own source have given us plenty on this G-chat service synthesizer, but we want, and greatly expect, Google to outline its specifics at the conference.
Look for word on Android/iOS/Chrome app availability, nifty features like "just once" notifications and potential details about when Voice will join Talk, Hangouts and Messages in the service. We don't think Google will keep its trap shut on Babel for very much longer.
2. New Nexus 7 tablet
Come July, Google's 7-inch Nexus 7 tablet will be one year old. That's a proper retiring age in the tech world. Given that, we wouldn't be surprised to see its predecessor emerge at this year's Google IO.
Now that the iPad mini has officially made the 7-inch tablet a thing that people want, it would be perfect timing for the launch of the Nexus 7 successor. Its aggressively affordable $199 price tag has challenged Apple's much more expensive offering.
The rumor mill has Google teaming back up with Asus, the maker of original Nexus 7. We expect an upgraded ppi on the new Nexus tablet, something to compete with the new iPad mini 2 with retina we all expect to happen.
Digitimes is reporting that new Nexus 7 will have 3G service and and range in price $149-$199.
The original Nexus 7 was unveiled at last year's Google IO, so we'd say this is a solid bet.
3. Good news for Google Glass
OK, it's supposed to start shipping to early Explorers any day now, and we've gotten word on its specs and ad-preventing features, but we're sure there's still plenty of new stuff to gush about Google Glass.
For example, we only know of a few third-party apps that are in the works, and a developer conference is just about the perfect place to not only announce more but also solicit for additional software.
Not that there's been a dearth of devs, but it never hurts to pitch when you can.
We also anticipate seeing more designs for people who already wear spectacles and perhaps even a few couture cuts from Warby Parker, which is rumored to be cooking up some hip Glass frames.
We're looking forward to demos from the #ifihadglass winners too, something we're sure Google will show off if technological possible to garner more excitement not only about its cool view, but also about Glass' real-world, problem-solving, life-benefiting capabilities.
4. Original Nexus 7 price drop
If there's a follow up to the Nexus 7 tablet, and it falls at or near the original's $199 price tag, logic dictates that its predecessor will get a price drop. That would make the Nexus 7 one of the cheapest tablets on the market.
Will Google sell it for $149, $129, or $99? How low will Google go with its Nexus 7 pricing?
Just like Amazon with its Kindle devices, Google's strategy seems to be this: make the hardware affordable, and rake in that app money.
While the Android Play Store is still lagging behind the App Store for tablet-optimized content, there's no better developer motivation than a ton of cheap Android tablets in consumer's hands.
We'd say that if a new 7-inch Nexus tablet happens, a Nexus 7 price drop is a given.
5. Nexus 10 with cellular service
Like the Nexus 7, Nexus 10 is a solid, affordable tablet, at the 10-inch form factor iPad fans are accustom to. However, unlike the iPad and the Nexus 7, the Nexus 10 has now cell service option.
Being dependent on Wi-Fi limits its functionality out and about, and Google fans have been wondering when the 10 will get the backing of AT&T and T-Mobile.
We think it could happen soon, and probably at Google IO. The Nexus 10 has only been out for a few months, and doesn't need a redesign.
6. Google Now…now
Now has been living in the past for quite some time, and we think Google IO could provide the right atmosphere to unleash a number of updates and announcements.
Chief among those may be a revelation that Google Now is headed to iOS, a development we caught wind of in March.
A video purporting to show Google Now for the iPhone and iPad appeared and promptly disappeared from YouTube then, leaving all of us wondering if an iOS offering wasn't on the way.
The personal assistant may not come to Apple-land due to the fact Google has purportedly not even submitted it to the App Store, but we don't doubt that will happen soon if it hasn't already. Google IO may prove the right ground for such an announcement.
Aside from branching out to new OSes, we anticipate some new Now features will be outlined at the conference, plus news (maybe an update?) on the Google Now widget.
There's word it may end up on the web, meaning we have plenty to sniff out about this "Siri-killer" come May.
7. Android@Home walks through the door
This is a Home of a different kind.
It was back at IO 2011 where first met Android@Home, Google's play at a home automation system. We've heard little about it since, but this is 2013 and a different IO.
While we don't believe the home is where Google's heart is, we also know this is a company that likes to cast a wide net, find what sticks and run with it.
If this year's IO will bring a resurrection of Android@Home, we won't be the least bit surprised. What it will look like, we're not sure, but a few signs point to it being a talking point at the 2013 conference.
The first is in the Android 4.2.2 update, launched in February. According to various reports, A@H was found tucked inside the updates configuration files along with mesh networks.
In fact, this was the second Android@Home sighting hidden within an update in three months, according to Android Police.
Given the high possiblity we're likely to see Android 5.0 come out of the IO oven, perhaps we'll see Android@Home baked into Key Lime Pie.
What's more, with all the talk of gadget-controlled washing machines, ovens, dish washers and talking toasters (just kidding) at this year's CES, we wouldn't be surprised if Google took noticed and decided to give Android@Home another crack.
8. The Nexus 5, or an LTE capable Nexus 4
The Nexus 4, the cell phone collaboration between Google and LG, is just a few months old, but people are already rumors of a successor. That's because the 4 lacks LTE service from most carriers.
So even though it packs Android 4.2: Jelly Bean, the latest version of Google's mobile OS, it lags behind the leaders of the smartphone pack in data speeds. To compete with likes of the Galaxy S3, HTC One and iPhone 5, the next Nexus phone needs LTE.
So will Google follow up the Nexus 4 already with a Nexus 5, or will it simply release an LTE capable version of the 4? Both could problematic, since a lot of customers just got their Nexus, and might feel burned.
The most likely occurrence would be for Google to address the lack of LTE on its devices and announce some plans for future. It seems too soon to put new phone in people's hands, especially if the new Nexus 7 turns out to be only 3G.
9. 'We haven't forgotten the Nexus Q'
Google must have a love/hate relationship with this black plastic orb.
Where it was once heralded as a home entertainment solution (at Google IO 2012, in fact), the Nexus Q has now fallen into a sort of purgatory page on Google Play. Yes, it's still there, but it's not for sale.
That could change at this year's IO. We could see a Q-vivial, one that addresses the problems of the orb – software issues, a lack of features – and still brings to life the alien-like hardware many remain impressed with.
We expect Google to throw about Nexus Q one more time and see if it can't hit a home run.
10. Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie
It's been awhile since Android got whole new version number. Google has been working within version 4 for bit, so it's not unlikely that the 5.0 of Android will get a debut at the upcoming Google IO.
Since the current version is Jelly Bean, Google's naming convention of working down the alphabet via dessert names puts it Key Lime Pie.
Of course, most phones aren't even running 4.2 yet, so if we see Key Lime Pie at IO, that doesn't mean it will hit the web anytime soon. Google will likely just be whetting people's appetites, and putting the screws to Apple and it's upcoming iOS 7.
Post a Comment Facebook Disqus