Google IO 2020 (the companys annual developer conference) was still months away from its planned May 12-14 run, but Google has cancelled it out of concerns over the coronavirus.What that means for all the news we expected to hear about products like the Google Pixel 4a and software like Android 11 is uncertain.
However, the show might go on in a different way.On March 3, Google formally cancelled the physical event hat was due to take place in California.On the official Google IO 2020 page, the company assured that everyone who bought tickets would get a full refund by March 13, 2020, and those who registered this year's show would be given the option next year to buy tickets for Google IO 2021.But that might not be the end for Google IO 2020: Google specifically cancelled the physical event, clarifying on its site that: "Over the coming weeks, we will explore other ways to evolve Google I/O to best connect with our developer community."This could mean the conference could still happen as an online-only event, which Google has already done for its Cloud Next event.
The company will have to announce the news somehow, and it's expected there will be lots heading our way.Whether in an online session or at a separate announcement, were expecting to see plenty that Android fans should be interested in most notably the reveal of Android 11.Theres also a high chance that the Google Pixel 4a will be unveiled then, and we may even see the long-rumored Google Pixel Watch, among many other things.
So in other words, Google IO isnt just for developers.Below weve highlighted all the things that we know or expect were going to see then, along with some things that are longer shots but could well make an appearance.
And well be updating this article as more news and rumors pour in, plus we'll be providing the latest on what shape the event will take once we know it.Android 11(Image credit: Shutterstock / TheIndianSubcontinent)Android 11 is likely to be the biggest reveal during Google IO 2020 and were almost certain well see it there, as Google tends to at least partially unveil its major Android updates at IO.That said, it probably wont appear on phones until September or October, likely landing alongside the Google Pixel 5 range.
Certain features also probably wont be unveiled until after IO.So far we havent heard much about Android 11, but one thing we do know is coming is Scoped Storage, which changes the way apps access other files on your device, with a view to increasing speed and security.Thats not much to go on, but we should learn plenty more about Android 11 during IO 2020, and its likely that a developer beta will even be launched there.Google Pixel 4a / Pixel 4a XL(Image credit: Future)While the Google Pixel 5 range probably wont land until around October, theres a high-chance that well see the mid-range Google Pixel 4a during Google IO 2020, given that the Pixel 3a range was announced at IO 2019.You can think of these as more affordable alternatives to the main Pixel 4 handsets, though some sources reckon there wont be an XL model, so we might only see one Pixel 4a.In any case, leaks suggest the 4a might actually have a fairly different design to the Pixel 4, with a punch-hole camera and a 3.5mm headphone port.
It might also have 5G, which no current Pixel does.Not much else is known about the Google Pixel 4a yet, but its unlikely to have the Motion Sense feature from its pricier siblings, which to be honest is probably no great loss for most people.Wear OS updates(Image credit: Future)Wear OS has felt a bit neglected, with no significant updates to the platform since the launch of Wear OS 2 in August 2018, but if Google is going to release a big new update then the software-focused IO is the obvious place for it to happen.Were not actually expecting to see any big changes, as no such things have been rumored, so if youre hoping for Wear OS 3 youre probably going to be out of luck, but you never know.And it wouldnt be at all surprising if the platform saw a smaller, more incremental update, though what it would include is anyones guess right now.
At IO 2019, for reference, Google showed off the widget-like Tiles feature.Google Assistant(Image credit: Shutterstock)Google is always working on Assistant, and at IO 2019 it unveiled tech to make Google Assistant faster, along with a driving mode.For Google IO 2020 wed expect more new features and improvements to be announced.
Having said that, Google announced a whole bunch of new features such as scheduled actions and a speed dial feature - at CES 2020 in January, so maybe some of them will be rolled out.Google SearchGoogle Search also got some love at IO 2019, and we wouldnt be surprised if its further improved during Google IO 2020.Were not sure yet what will change here, but for reference, Google added augmented reality (AR) images to search results at Google IO 2019.Other software updatesBeyond the things mentioned above, were likely to see updates and improvements to other key Google software, such as Maps and Duplex.Perhaps well see Duplex more widely supported, while Maps may become more detailed or have other features added.
Thats just speculation for now, but wed be surprised if these or other key Google apps dont get some sort of update.Google Pixel WatchWeve been hearing rumors about a Google Pixel Watch for years, and to be honest we dont really expect it to land during Google IO 2020, but the company has shown off wearables from other companies in past years, so its possible.Right now were not entirely convinced the Pixel Watch even exists, and if it does, it may well not land until October alongside the Pixel 5 range, or maybe not even until next year.If it does land at Google IO 2020 though then we might also see a bigger Wear OS update than were expecting, as it would make sense for Google to launch its first smartwatch with exciting new software.New smart home devices(Image credit: Future)From speakers to screens to cameras, we could see a variety of new smart home devices during Google IO 2020.At IO 2019 we saw the Google Nest Hub Max smart display, but Google has its fingers in many smart home pies, including the Nest Hello doorbell, Google Nest Wi-Fi, and the Google Nest Mini speaker, plus smart thermostats, smoke alarms and more.So we may see new entries in any of these product lines, or maybe smart versions of other devices altogether.Google Stadia(Image credit: TheIndianSubcontinent)Google Stadia (the companys game streaming service) is already here, but currently only Stadia Pro is available meaning you need a subscription to use the service, rather than just being able to buy the games.
That will be changing at some point in 2020, so its possible that Google will use IO 2020 to launch the free tier.There are also some promised features that are currently absent, such as Crowd Play, which will let you join a streamers game at the press of a button.
So this or other features might launch at Google IO 2020.
We might also see new exclusive games announced or launched for the platform.Perhaps most excitingly, we might see Stadia opened up to non-Pixel phones.
We know this is happening at some point, and its one of the main selling points of the platform.Google Play Pass(Image credit: Google)Google Play Pass, like Google Stadia, is already here, but currently its only available in the US.
We know its only a matter of time before it will launch elsewhere, so perhaps Google IO will be the venue where its reach is widened.We wouldnt be surprised if Google also announces all sorts of new content for its Apple Arcade-like game and app subscription service.Augmented and virtual realityAR and VR have been very up and down over the last few years, but we wouldnt be surprised if we see new developments in these fields during Google IO 2020.One obvious thing we might see is improvements to ARCore the development kit Google created that allows AR experiences to be built for Android and other platforms.VR announcements are perhaps less likely, given Google has largely abandoned its VR headsets, but you never know.5GWhile many 5G networks and the first 5G phones arrived in 2019, its during this year that were expecting 5G to really start getting big 5G phones will likely become more affordable and 5G networks should start becoming much more widespread.As such, wed expect the likes of Google to start looking at 5G too.
The Pixel 4a above is rumored to come in a 5G flavor, but we might also see Google announce apps and software features that take advantage of the speed of 5G.VuYusc3YddodpxdPCsU8MB.jpg?#