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Google I/O 2013 is coming, but what will it bring?

posted by Ray S. / May 13, 2013, 8:41 AM

Google I/O 2013 is coming, but what will it bring?

There are a number of tech events each year that manage to get us super-excited, and Google's developer-centric I/O is one of them. Even though its audience is mainly comprised of web and application developers, the event has traditionally been used by Google as a stage to announce new products from. Last year, for example, saw the introduction of a new Android build, as well as not one, not two, but three new devices - the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7 and Nexus Q.

So, what's in store for us this year? Well, if we believe the rumors we're hearing, this year's Google I/O probably won't be as fruitful, but it'll still bring some new hardware and software. At first, we were hoping to see the long-anticipated Motorola X Phone, the 'hero' device that's supposed to bring Motorola back in business, but it later turned out that this is very unlikely to happen. What's more likely, though, would be to see a revamped Nexus 7 by Asus. We know, we know, but it could be worse, right? Besides, rumors are called 'rumors' for a reason! Because... you know, they may not be true.

Android 4.3 expected to launch during Google I/O

We were having some pretty brave expectations for the software part of the announcement as well, but by the looks of it, Android 5 Key Lime Pie will not be man enough to make an appearance at the show. Instead, we're told that Google is to announce a new version of Jelly Bean, possibly Android 4.3. It's not yet known exactly what new features or improvements this new version is going to bring.

And that's pretty much it for now. Google I/O 2013 is going to kick off on May 15 and will continue until May 17. It's said that there will be just one keynote this time, which will probably take place on May 15. Whatever the case is, count on us to keep you in the loop!

UPDATE: Boy, the rumor mill knows no rest! Over the past several days, quite a few spicy tidbits of information have surfaced on the web, including the possiblity to have an I/O conference totally devoted to software developing. However, that doesn't necessarily mean we won't hear any news regarding Android-based hardware.

Is the white Google Nexus 4 finally coming?

For starters, The Google Nexus 7 tablet is expected to get a solid hardware update, if rumors are to be trusted. The screen will be of higher resolution, the Tegra 3 processor will be swapped for a Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC, and a rear-facing camera will be added, to name a few changes. The Google Nexus 4 smartphone isn't likely to get a substantial hardware revision, but an LTE-capable version is said to be coming. A white model and a 32GB variant may also make an appearance.

On the software side of things, Android 4.3 has started appearing in logs here and there, so chances are that the platform's new version will be officially announced at Google I/O. One of the notable changes it will most probably bring is Google Play Games – the unified gaming service that will enable real-time and turn-based multiplayer for Android games, invitations, in-game chat, achievements, and a number of other goodies. Last but definitely not least, Google is said to be working on a unified messaging system called Hangouts. Details about it will be revealed in just a few days, according to rumors.

That's all we have for now, folks! For more details about Google I/O and the tech giant's latest, make sure you keep track of our coverage!

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27 Comments

2. tusshharish

Posts: 342; Member since: Oct 23, 2012

nothing.................

posted on May 07, 2013, 3:57 AM 9

3. Rehankhan

Posts: 323; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

troll why are you wasting your time talking bs on every article?

posted on May 07, 2013, 4:13 AM 33

14. abdane

Posts: 507; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

2nd Generation Nexus 7 Android 4.3 New gaming console or Gaming Center for Android ( which is the only thing android is missing against iOS )

posted on May 07, 2013, 9:32 AM 19

24. dan86

Posts: 298; Member since: Mar 17, 2012

In simple words a lot of happiness to an android user and a developer!

posted on May 13, 2013, 11:32 AM 0

22. mousesports

Posts: 286; Member since: Feb 28, 2013

+2013

posted on May 08, 2013, 3:47 PM 2

4. _Bone_

Posts: 2155; Member since: Oct 29, 2012

Seriously, if no new Nexus device I'll be disappointed. Rumors of an updated Nexus 4 and 10, FHD Nexus 7, Key Lime Pie etc., Google has been busy with new gadgets even this year (Chromebook Pixel), so if nothing new appears on the I/O that'll be a pity. But it's Google, so they might just surprise all, at least I hope so.

posted on May 07, 2013, 4:17 AM 9

27. _Bone_

Posts: 2155; Member since: Oct 29, 2012

Gimme a FHD Nexu7 gimme gimme gimme

posted on May 14, 2013, 1:30 PM 0

5. BesnikRrustemi

Posts: 44; Member since: Jan 08, 2013

i think that they will release only a 2nd-generation nexus 7 and a new android version wether it be 4.3 Jelly Bean or 5 (key lime pie) i know that its gonna be awesome. i think that the new nexus 7 will have: 1080p display a new Chip Tegra 4 or snapdragon 600 or 800 2GB of ram maybe a rear camera stereo Speakers and mayble LTE too. (my opinion)

posted on May 07, 2013, 4:46 AM 11

9. sorcio46

Posts: 435; Member since: Jul 27, 2011

Nexus 7 (Gen.2 ) Will Have a Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC (same as Nexus 4) to keep the price down. Also I doubt that it will have a rear camera for the same reason. Stereo speaker? I hope that... LTE? It's not used in the 80%+ of the world so...

posted on May 07, 2013, 5:53 AM 6

15. TheLolGuy

Posts: 483; Member since: Mar 05, 2013

I agree with you. Even if they were going to try with aggressive pricing like $200, if Google were to completely subsidize any profits they would gain otherwise (which they don't since Android is free) Asus would probably sell all that hardware at cost, if not at loss at just 200... People always saying 'reasonable price' this and 'fair price' that. Listen. BesnikRrustemi's specs for $200 is NOT reasonable or realistic. I imagine they might give up the rear tablet camera, give it 2gb of ram, s4 pro, and MAYBE a 1900x1200 display. That's a big maybe though.

posted on May 07, 2013, 9:46 AM 1

16. BesnikRrustemi

Posts: 44; Member since: Jan 08, 2013

DONT MIX APPLE WITH GOOGLE,WE WERE TALKING ABOUT GOOGLE. Thats because you dont analyze how google manage to get profit. They can upgrade the price at 300$,and it will still be cheap enough. They wont put a out-dated SoC when they have a big variety of new SoC. They wont plan to profit only from the device,but using & paying from their services,play store,etc And dont worry about google,they dont care too much for money because they dont know how f**kin rich they are. They care for name and for being the best.thats what google is.

posted on May 07, 2013, 1:04 PM 1

17. TheLolGuy

Posts: 483; Member since: Mar 05, 2013

Where in my comment did I mention apple? And don't claim that I don't know how Google makes profit in this scenario... I do. That's also why it enables them to give out Android without a licensing fee... Even for Microsoft's WP license, it costs somewhere around 30-40 per phone. Google gives Android for free, letting manufacturers increase their margin, or pass the savings to the customer for more competitive pricing. I know Google doesn't need upfront licensing payments you idiot. I'm talking about the OEM partner. If they sell it at cost what the hell are they even making the tablets for? So they can help out their buddy Google for no cut of their own? Hardware manufacturers don't get continued stream of revenue after it's sold. If it's sold at cost they're basically doing free work.

posted on May 07, 2013, 3:10 PM 1

6. hadouken

Posts: 18; Member since: Dec 12, 2012

Galaxy nexus was announced Nov 2011 and nexus 4 was in Nov 2012, we should expect a new nexus phone this Nov. This article makes it sound like the galaxy nexus was introduced the last Google io

posted on May 07, 2013, 4:50 AM 6

13. BadAssAbe

Posts: 508; Member since: Apr 22, 2011

I think they're talking about the price drop on the galaxy nexus, but you are right

posted on May 07, 2013, 9:13 AM 0

7. RGreen

Posts: 84; Member since: Jul 06, 2012

Got to love it, whatever device just keep prices low

posted on May 07, 2013, 5:47 AM 0

8. Berzerk000

Posts: 4275; Member since: Jun 26, 2011

Hopefully the new line of tablets with Android 4.3 with them, and at least some more information on the X phone.

posted on May 07, 2013, 5:51 AM 1

10. Kjayhawk

Posts: 294; Member since: Oct 07, 2010

personally I think Motorola understands that there is too much competition between the HTC one and SG IV. They just need to make sure that they avoid the iPhone 5s. Going against an iPhone product is just plain dumb. I think the specs for motorolas phone will be a 1080 screen, 32 GB of storage, SNAPDRAGON 600, android 4.3, 3000 mah battery.... Those are amazing specs are amazing but by the time it comes out we will see phones with snap dragon 800 and tegra 4... Kinda like what happened with the Razr's when the phone was released it was pretty out dated. just my 2 cents on motorolas phone, which will likely be shown at its own event not Google I/O. What we will see from I/O is: 1. Game center (pretty obvious with the new Keynotes about gaming being added to the schedule I know google has had them before) 2. Babel 3. Android 4.3 (better quick settings, better Google now integration, performance improvments and hopefully battery improvement) all guesses 4. google plus improvment 5. chrome improvments these are all guess' based on what i think will be revealed at google i/o

posted on May 07, 2013, 6:06 AM 4

11. selena1000

Posts: 85; Member since: Mar 14, 2013

this year i m more ercited for wwdc than google io

posted on May 07, 2013, 7:50 AM 1

12. saenaedewe

Posts: 72; Member since: May 01, 2013

In my country, Nexus Devices have always been marketed/released several months behind the original U.S. launched date (also with higher pricing than the U.S. pricing), therefore when it was actually launched/released in my country the device will be pretty out dated (but still expensive)... e.g. NEXUS 4: U.S. November 2012 -> my country February 2013... (NEXUS 7 = same, NEXUS 10 = has not been released)... at that moment many new devices with more advance specs were introduced/released, which make my 'desire' to own the NEXUS devices kinda disappear... and that is what happen to me now... I am not buying the NEXUS 4, and now owned the Galaxy S4... If only we have the same privilege as the U.S. did... I will buy the NEXUS... I love NEXUS Devices...

posted on May 07, 2013, 7:59 AM 3

18. moronman66

Posts: 162; Member since: Jan 09, 2012

I don't care if it's 4.3 or 5.0, Jelly Bean or Key Lime Pie, I just hope the features are good and I'm pretty sure the Galaxy Nexus will receive it, it would be ridiculous if it didn't!

posted on May 07, 2013, 5:04 PM 0

19. mydi.maus unregistered

it will not bring anything...

posted on May 07, 2013, 7:40 PM 3

21. mousesports

Posts: 286; Member since: Feb 28, 2013

dont care about this news .... phondroids arena fans

posted on May 08, 2013, 3:45 PM 2

23. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

I want KLP! I want new Nexus phone! But none of these two will be at Google I/O. -__-' At least the Android 4.3 and the 2nd gen Nexus 7 will be announced at Google I/O, I guess it will surprise us, so.....bring it on Google!

posted on May 13, 2013, 9:09 AM 0

25. PM8888

Posts: 10; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

I am not expecting them to show the new Nexus off until at least the end of August, more likely mid to late October. Google has been smart as of late and only releasing one phone per year. It looks like they will be doing the same with the Nexus 7 too. I am looking forward to what they have to offer as they expand and better the Android OS. To me there's Nexus devices and then everything else in the Android world. Most of the stuff Google is going to release/update this week won't trickle down to non-Nexus devices for a while, if at all.