Google’s annual I/O developer conference is fast approaching and the firm will make some big announcements in the world of Android, Gemini AI and hopefully Pixel.
While there will be an in-person event like normal, only a handful will be invited out to California but there are ways of keeping up with all the news.
Here’s everything you need to know about Google I/O 2025, including the dates and what to expect.
When is Google I/O 2025?
Google I/O 2025 is officially confirmed and takes place between 20-21 May 2025.
The main keynote will begin at 10am PST in California, which is 1pm EST or 6pm BST (UK time).
If the past events are anything to go by, this one should last for around two hours.
Find out how to watch Google I/O live.
New for this year is a separate I/O event, which takes place ahead of the main conference.
The Android Show I/O Edition is scheduled for 13 May at 10am PST/6pm BST and may be when Google fully unveils Android 16.
Google (edited)
What does Google I/O stand for?
If you’re curious, the I/O bit of the name has a triple meaning.
For starters it stands for input/output which is a common term in computing. It also stands for “Innovation in the Open”.
Furthermore, it represents the first two digits (1 and 0) in the number googol.
“A googol is a one, followed by 100 zeroes, so that’s where the I/O name and logo came from. We just took the first one and zero, and we left off all the other zeroes. It all goes back to Google,” says Lorin Platto, director of events and experiences operations.
“And then as we were brainstorming, we started talking about what that one and zero could mean. That’s where the ‘input / output’ and ‘innovation in the open’ slogans came from.”
What to expect from Google I/O 2025
While Google hasn’t revealed what will be unveiled at this year’s event, previous years give us some idea of what to expect.
Android 16
For starters, it’s pretty much certain that Android 16 will be a key topic of the event. Though, as noted above, it looks like it will get an announcement ahead of the main I/O show.
Due to the replacement of Android 15, the software is expected to bring a system UI overhaul called Material 3 Expressive, which we’ve already had a good look at.
Google has officially confirmed that Android 16 will launch earlier than previous versions, aiming for a release in the second quarter of 2025.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Google Gemini AI
Announcing Android 16 in advance will free up time in the keynote to talk about Gemini.
AI is everywhere and it’s no wonder that Google is going full speed ahead with Gemini so don’t be surprised if most of the main keynote is spent talking about it.
Google will no doubt show off upcoming Gemini features, likely with those risky on-stage demos, showing what AI will be able to do in upcoming versions on your phone, tablet and other devices.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Android XR
I/O is software-focused but has had plenty of hardware announcements over the years. That’s declined but we do expect to hear more about Google’s Android XR platform.
Though the likes of Google Glass, Cardboard and Daydream are all in the firm’s graveyard, Android XR is a much bigger push into extended reality wearables with partners including Samsung and Qualcomm.
Samsung already showed off Project Moohan earlier this year, but I/O may be a perfect opportunity for Google to tell us what the future of this project holds.
Samsung
Pixel 10 series
We may hear more about the Pixel 10 series phones, even if they don’t officially launch until later in the year.
According to recent rumours, Google may be ditching Samsung and heading to TSMC to manufacture its own chipsets. This means that the Tensor G5 might be Google’s first fully in-house design built on TSMC’s 3nm process.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
In terms of AI and machine learning, Google’s Tensor processors have already set themselves apart by excelling in these areas, and the Tensor G5 will likely push those capabilities even further.
Pixel Watch 4
We may see an update to Google’s Wear OS software for smartwatches, but new wearable hardware is also possible.
All of the previous Pixel watches were unveiled at Google’s autumn hardware event, so we’ll probably have to wait longer this time, too.
Mattias Inghe
If so, the most likely scenario is the Pixel Watch 4, but don’t rule out it arriving later in the year.
Other Pixel hardware
We can only hope, even though hardware is a rarity at I/O these days, but we want to see devices like the Pixel Tablet 2 and maybe even a Pixel smart ring.
We’ll be covering all the news from I/O here on Tech Advisor, so check back for all the key details.
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