Google typically hosts its I/O conference in the second or third week of May, and although it is still a couple of months away, the company has already confirmed that I/O 2026 will take place on May 19 and 20 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California.
Following tradition, Google released a teaser game ahead of the official I/O 2026 reveal, but it didn’t take long for the company to confirm the dates. The keynote will begin at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET on May 19.
Android 17 and Wear OS 7
Google has shifted its major Android release cycle, with big updates now arriving mid-year instead of alongside Pixel launches in Q3. This first happened with Android 16, and the same pattern appears to be continuing with Android 17. Google has already started testing the new version, recently rolling out Android 17 Beta 1.
Android 17 carries the codename ‘Cinnamon Bun,’ and the current beta doesn’t include many visible UI changes yet, aside from a few Pixel Launcher UI tweaks. That said, as with every I/O, Google will likely keep the bigger features and UI updates for Android 17 reserved for the I/O 2026 keynote.
We probably won’t see a massive redesign like last year’s Material 3 Expressive overhaul, but Android 17 should still bring some visual tweaks and performance improvements. There are also rumors that Google may introduce iOS-inspired glassy or blur effects, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
This year, the focus may shift more toward optimizing Android for large-screen devices, but more on this below.
In addition to Android 17, Google is also expected to unveil Wear OS 7 at I/O 2026. Wear OS 6 already introduced major improvements over Wear OS 5, including Material 3 Expressive and performance upgrades, so this year may be relatively quieter for the platform in terms of major updates.
Android XR software and hardware updates
2026 is shaping up to be a big year for wearables. We saw a flood of smart glasses and XR concepts at CES 2026, and that momentum isn’t slowing down. Google moved early into the category and introduced Android XR as a unified platform expected to power many upcoming devices. We will likely hear more updates about it at I/O 2026.
Android XR already powers devices like Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset, but we have not seen many other brands adopt the platform yet. Vivo offers its own XR headset, though it runs on a customized OS instead of Android XR. That could change soon, as Google is likely to partner with more brands to expand its XR ecosystem.
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Beyond headsets, Google is also expected to introduce a lighter version of Android XR tailored for smart glasses. Reports suggest the company has finalized navigation and control documentation for Android XR glasses and shared it with developers for both standalone models and those with displays. I/O 2026 could be where Google dives deeper into the platform.
Google has also been working on smart glasses alongside Samsung, so we might get an early look at a commercial product during I/O 2026. Samsung has already confirmed plans to launch a Meta Ray-Ban-style rival this year.
Rumors point to two models, one with a display similar to the Meta Ray-Ban Display and one without. They are also expected to feature a built-in 12 MP camera with autofocus and a Qualcomm AR chipset.
Updates on Google’s unified desktop OS (Aluminium OS)
Android 17 and Android XR might not be the only operating systems Google showcases at I/O 2026. The company has reportedly been working on a replacement desktop OS for ChromeOS, and I/O could be where we see it officially first. While there have been leaks about the rumored Aluminium OS, nothing official has been announced yet.
I’ve believed for a while that Android is now powerful enough to run on mainstream laptops and PCs. And even though Android has offered a desktop mode for some time, it has never fully gone mainstream. Aluminium OS could be Google’s attempt at a standalone Android-based system for Chromebooks and traditional PCs.
Similar to Android’s desktop mode, it would likely support windowed apps, a taskbar, a status bar, and multitasking across multiple windows. A recent leak also revealed that Gemini could play a central role in the experience.
Google has not officially acknowledged Aluminium OS, and even the name appears to be an internal codename for now. Still, we expect the company to share more details at I/O 2026.
Gemini and AI upgrades
It wouldn’t be Google I/O without a heavy focus on AI and Gemini. Alongside its growing lineup of operating systems, we fully expect Google to dedicate a major part of the I/O 2026 keynote to new AI announcements.
While we can only speculate for now, it’s safe to assume more Gemini across Google’s entire product portfolio. The company recently upgraded Gemini with tools like Personal Intelligence and introduced a Gemini-powered AI Inbox in Gmail. However, for Android phones, the company has been testing giving Gemini more control over apps and system actions, and I won’t be surprised to see a live demo on stage.
On the broader front, Google has also partnered with Apple to integrate Gemini into Apple’s AI models and Siri, so we could see updates related to that collaboration as well.
Beyond mobile, updates to Search, Chrome, and Google Workspace are also almost guaranteed. Google recently introduced the Universal Commerce Protocol for agentic shopping experiences, so that could easily make its way into the keynote with partner demos.
We’ll be at the I/O 2026 keynote to bring you all the latest news and hands-on coverage from the ground, so make sure you check back for updates.
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