Google IO 2023, the search giant’s developer conference this year, is likely to feature some big tech announcements — including the arrival of Android 14 and the public release of its Bing-rivaling Bard chatbot.
We now know that the Google IO 2023 keynote will take place on May 10, so tech fans will be putting the day in their Google calendars. This year, the keynote will be in front of a limited live audience, but there will also be the usual live broadcast for those unable to travel to California.
So, what exactly can we expect to see at Google IO 2023? How do you watch? In this handy roundup, we’ve rounded up all the key facts about Google’s equivalent of Apple’s WWDC, which usually takes place in June.
Given the rise of AI chatbots like Microsoft’s new ChatGPT-based Bing, it’s understandable that rumors predict Google will further incorporate AI into most of its services this year. But with Android 14 also likely to play a prominent role, Google IO 2023 is likely to be a must-see for tech fans of all stripes.
cut to the chase
- what is it? Google’s annual developer conference
- when? May 10, 2023
- How do I register and how much does it cost? You can find google events page (opens in a new tab) And it’s free—all you need is a Google account.
When is the date for Google IO 2023?
Google has announced that its developer conference and keynote will take place on Wednesday, May 10. Unlike last year, it was planned as a one-day event.
A time for the traditional keynote has yet to be confirmed, but we expect it to take place on May 10 at around 1pm ET / 6pm GMT, which is around 4am AEST on May 11.
That’s when it was last year’s Google IO 2022 keynote, but we’ll update this page when we get the official time.
How to Register for Google IO 2023
While it’s not possible to apply for tickets to Google IO 2023 in person, you can register online to gain access to all virtual sessions, keynotes, and news.To register, simply go to Google IO event page (opens in a new tab) and sign in with your standard Google account.
You don’t need to sign up to see all the keynotes and sessions, but it does have the added benefit of getting all the latest developer news via what Google calls “non-spam”. You’ll also get a developer profile that lets you save and watch any related videos later, which you won’t be able to do without signing up.
The Google IO 2023 conference is expected to cover everything from Android to AI and machine learning, and it’s well worth signing up if you have developer aspirations (or are just interested in the specifics of Google apps).
What to expect at Google IO 2023
It’s still early days for Google IO rumors, but based on recent leaks and previous conference releases, we can get a good idea of the types of announcements we might see.
So, in rough order of possibility, here are the main things we expect to see at Google IO 2023 – even better if we get an additional “one more thing” bonus, like Google’s AR real-time translation glasses up.
1. Google Bard and AI announcement
Google is somehow all about AI chatbots. On the one hand, it needs to show that it has the technology to compete with ChatGPT-based Bing — which is why it announced Google Bard in February, saying the chatbot will be available to the public “in the coming weeks.”
but according to CNBC (opens in a new tab), a recent internal Google meeting apparently made it very clear that “Bard is not search”. That’s why at Google IO 2023, we’ll likely continue to see AI chatbots presented as an “experimental conversational AI service” rather than a next-gen version of Google Search. Whether we’ll see Bard open to the public before or during the conference remains to be seen.
Chatbots are also only a small part of AI technology, with Google’s IO conference traditionally showing previews of artificial intelligence and machine learning running in its apps. For example, at Google IO 2018 we got a glimpse of Google Duplex, a virtual agent that can make phone calls for you, while Google IO 2022 saw AI cleverly incorporated into products like Google Docs.
Expect to see more of the same at Google IO 2023, but with a much stronger AI theme than last year’s developer conference.For example, according to a new york times report (opens in a new tab)we could see features like “Shop and Try On,” a YouTube feature that helps you try on virtual clothes at home, and a Dall-E competitor that helps you create and edit images.
2. Take a good look at Android 14
The latest Android operating system is already in its developer preview (opens in a new tab) It will be released in beta sometime between mid-March and April. Android 14 won’t be released to the public until August, though, so we’re expecting to see Google spend a lot of time at Google IO 2023 outlining the software’s new tricks.
Some of the expected new features include support for satellite communications and the ability to handle passkeys, which could eventually replace passwords and are considered both more secure and easier to use.
Of course, we also expect Android 14 to bring some quality of life upgrades, including improved efficiency, improved battery life, and some improved accessibility features. The security of the operating system may also be improved, but naturally some phones will miss the Android 14 update-including the Google Pixel 4a.
3. The arrival of the Google Pixel 7a
Google hasn’t been consistent with the release of its mid-range A-type Pixels, but there’s still a good chance we’ll see the Google Pixel 7a.
Like the Google Pixel 6a, we expect its successor to be announced in at least May, which would make Google IO 2023 the smartest place to showcase it. But it’s likely to ship later — the Pixel 6a, for example, won’t go on sale until two months after its July 2022 launch.
(Image credit: @OnLeaks/SmartPrix)
So far, there haven’t been a ton of Pixel 7a leaks, but it’s expected to feature Google’s latest Tensor G2 chipset and a design that looks a lot like the Google Pixel 7 (which again means no headphone jack).
In January, some hands-on videos also suggested that the Pixel 7a might have a 90Hz screen, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, but that’s just speculation for now. Looking forward to Google’s official slimming down on the stage of Google IO 2023.
4. Google Pixel Tablet release date (final)
The Google Pixel tablet was revealed to the world at Google IO 2022, but incredibly it still hasn’t actually landed in stores. This may change at Google IO 2023.
Despite concerns that the Pixel tablet could head straight for the infamous Google graveyard, the company has confirmed that it is aiming to launch a Pixel tablet sometime in 2023. Now the question is when.
We think an announcement at Google’s traditional Pixel event in October is more likely, but it appears the company will at least mention the tablet at its developer conference in May.
After all, it’s expected to run Android 12L, which is designed for larger-screen devices, and it’ll also be powered by Google’s latest Tensor G2 chipset. That makes it a contender for a spot in our best Android tablet guide, so hopefully we’ll hear more about it soon.
5. Google Pixel Fold debuts
Another submission to the “maybe” category at Google IO 2023 is the long-awaited announcement of the Google Pixel Fold.
Since late 2022, we’ve been expecting a foldable phone from Google. But now the latest rumors point to a May release, which would tie in nicely with Google’s developer conference.
Unfortunately, these rumors have dampened our excitement about Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 competitor, with leaked images suggesting it might actually be a chunkier Pixel phone with surprisingly large bezels above and below the display.
Expected to cost around $1,799 (around £1,520/AU$2,660), it’s becoming a niche phone. However, the suggestion that the Pixel Fold could have three cameras like the Google Pixel 7 Pro has piqued our interest again. If so, that could make it the best foldable camera phone.
6. New tricks for Google Maps, Google Lens, and more
A staple of the Google IO conference was fancy new tricks for services like Google Maps, Google Translate, and Google Lens, before disappearing for months before their final release.
At Google IO 2022, for example, we got our first look at Google Maps’ immersive view, and it looks like it could be pretty handy for everything from checking out community vibes to becoming our new favorite photography assistant.
But it wasn’t until February at Google’s “Paris Live” event that the feature actually rolled out in five cities — namely London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo. So, whatever you saw at Google IO 2023, you’ll have to wait a little longer to see it on your phone or laptop.
Still, with artificial intelligence expected to be a big theme at the conference, there could be some impressive updates to Google Translate, Google Maps, Google Docs, Google Lens, and more.
7. The revamp of Wear OS
Last year was a big year for Google-powered smartwatches — at Google IO 2022, we saw the Google Pixel Watch finally arrive with Wear OS 3.
Since then, the Apple Watch’s competing platform has grown steadily, thanks to the arrival of Wear OS 3.5 and some of the best Wear OS watches we’ve seen to date, including the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
What will we see at Google IO 2023? So far, there haven’t been any major rumors, but some new Wear OS design guidelines suggest that Google is indeed pushing for consistency and polish in the software experience, and new Wear OS players like Xiaomi are strongly rumored.
It may be too early to preview Watch OS 4 at Google IO 2023, but we expect to hear some announcements that provide another strong boost to the smartwatch platform’s momentum.
