Google I/O 2022 starts today

The Google I/O 2022 keynote featuring Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and his core team, is expected to bring the key announcements, such as the launch of new hardware including an affordable Pixel phone as well as advancements and improvements coming to Android and Wear OS.

Shortly after the main keynote, Google will hold a developer-focussed keynote where we are expected to see some detailed information about the company's prime software updates.

Google I/O 2022 will take place as a two-day event, starting with the keynote that will begin at 1pm ET (10:30pm IST) today.

The developer-centric event will be held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. However, Google will livestream the conference for its worldwide audience.

The event including the main keynote will be livestreamed through Google's social media channels.

While the keynote will be livestreamed for all, developers who want to virtually attend specific sessions and the developer-focussed keynote following the main keynote need to register on the Google I/O site.

Just like past years, this year's Google I/O conference will detail the company's latest developments towards its operating systems including Android and Wear OS.

The rumour mill has also suggested that we could see some hardware-focussed announcements at the event.

Android 13

At Google I/O 2022, we can expect Google to explain its new advancements and improvements in Android 13.

The operating system, which is the successor to last year's Android 12, received its first developer preview in February.

It is likely to get an Apple-like spatial audio feature for Pixel 6 models as well as two carrier connections on a single eSIM, per previous reports.

In addition to Android 13, Wear OS is likely to get an update with a list of enhancements and improvements that we can expect at this year's Google I/O.

Google last year announced its partnership with Samsung for integrating Tizen within Wear OS. We could see some new moves at that end.

Pixel 6a

At this year's I/O keynote, Google is expected to repeat its 2019 take and unveil the Pixel 6a as its new affordable smartphone.

The phone is speculated to have Google's Tensor chip — similar to the existing Pixel 6 models.

It is also expected to have the Pixel 6-like back design, a retail box surfaced online has suggested.

The new Pixel phone may, however, lack some of the features that were exclusive to the Pixel 6 series. Normally, Google uses its I/O conferences to detail software and Web technologies, though it did make a change in 2019 when it announced the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL as its two affordable smartphones.

Pixel Watch

Alongside the Pixel 6a, the Pixel Watch is expected to debut at Google I/O 2022 keynote later today.

The rumour mill has suggested that Google is working on its own smartwatch hardware for some time.

It is speculated to have a circular design and run the latest Wear OS version.

It could also come with a Fitbit integration for enhanced fitness tracking support.