What you need to know
- Google has started talking about what’s coming up for its I/O 2026 conference with the arrival of the session list.
- Among the highlights on May 19 (after the keynote), Google plans to talk about AI software, Android 17, and Chrome for 2026 that afternoon.
- The next day, the company announced Android 17’s “Adaptive Everywhere” approach, which launched Android, Chrome OS, and XR.
- I/O 2026 takes place on May 19 at 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT.
As always, Google talks about what’s to come at its annual I/O conference after the expected keynote.
This morning (April 14), Google published a list of sessionsis teasing its plans for the I/O 2026 conference in May. First, the company reiterates that its keynote will take place on May 19 at 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT). The Sessions page allows users to add it to their calendar so you don’t miss it. More important, however, is the list itself, as Google says other conferences, such as one for artificial intelligence, will begin on May 19 at 3:30 p.m. PT.
For those interested, Google says the AI conference will include information on its “latest model capabilities in multimodal, media generation and robotics and how to use them”… Android 17 lasts ~45 minutes as a major event. Google intends to include Android 17’s performance updates, along with “new capabilities for media and camera apps, new functionality for desktop and widescreen apps, and how we’re using agent automation to help users get things done faster.”
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Google Chrome is also in the spotlight. While the company has been busy rolling out more AI-focused updates for the browser, there’s more in store. Google will discuss “new capabilities” for Chrome for 2026 at the meeting, according to the quick report. Google Play will be discussed later on May 19. This particular conference seems to be aimed at users with businesses looking to grow on the platform.
Android 17’s “Adaptive development” note was also mentioned. The next major Android OS is said to be moving to an “Adaptive Everywhere” approach where users can “move fluidly between phones, cars, living rooms and immersive environments.” Google has tagged it as related to Android, ChromeOS and XR.
Are you interested?
We first started getting I/O 2026 teasers back in February when Google launched it annual line of puzzles forcing users to disclose history. This year there were several, each using their own AI systems, e.g Twins 3. Users quickly cracked the puzzles, achieving 100% completion and announcing the event date of May 19-20. Google also confirmed that I/O 2026 will be held at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California.
If Looking to watchGoogle will be live streaming its keynote on May 19 starting at 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT. Developers can register for the event, but note that “it follows a lottery or invitation-style system, so registering does not automatically guarantee a spot at the keynote.” What is interesting about today’s meeting list is that it has not yet been recorded Android XR. We expect Google to at least talk about this to some extent during its keynote, but more would be nice.
We’ve got a small XR teaser for Android 17’s Adaptive Everywhere, but maybe that’s not all.
Android Central’s Take
The software side of Google is usually where I/O shines. While we’re always hoping for a Pixel teaser, we usually have to wait for the Made by Google event until later in the summer and beyond. Regardless, Google has a lot in store this year. Android 17 is a heavy hitter, but so is it Android XR experience. Then there’s Gemini. Personal Intelligence was its latest (and significant) update for users, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting another big reveal at I/O.
