Google I/O 2021 and everything to expect.
What new toys will Google reveal?
Google will be hosting I/O online from May 18th-20th, after missing last year due to the pandemic, we now have an online event to look forward too. Last year was a tough one for Google with many delays and cancellations of products so this is going to be a big one for Google.
Normally the I/O event is for the newest Android update and features but in recent years it’s also shown off some new products.
So what should we expect this year?
Android 12
The main event of I/O, after a few developer previews these last few months we should expect to see more of the user features showcased and possibly a new UI design.
I spoke at length about these features previously, so here are some of the main points I think they’ll discuss.
- One-handed mode: It’s disabled by default, but it works like Apples reachability feature on iPhones.
- New blue theme: Android 12 has a baby blue theme in Settings that could venture into other areas.
- Control which apps can show media controls in Quick Settings: If you don’t want a specific app to be able show in your Quick Settings panel, you can individually disable that permission for them.
- Emergency SOS button: Much like the feature in iOS, you can quickly press the power button to trigger an emergency mode that places an emergency call.
- Improved Widgets: Widgets are finally getting some focus from Google this year, widget stacking and a new conversation widget are coming .The Conversation widget spotted in an Android 12 leak which will highlight recent messages, missed calls, and activity statuses, seems to be the only new one from Google so far but expect older ones like Keep, Mail and Calender to receive updates.
- Screenshot editor: Many more tools to mark up a screenshot after you take it, including text and emoji stickers.
- “Redirect vibration” to game controllers: Bring your on-device rumble to your external game controller.
- Scrolling screenshots: They’re finally here but not in the first Dev preview just yet, expect them in the coming months.
- Nearby Share for Wi-Fi passwords: You don’t have to share a QR code anymore, just send it to them wirelessly with Nearby Share, this is something Apple does similar on iOS and I’m pleased to see Android adopt it.
- Improved privacy features: This is also a great feature thats found on iOS, the ability to see what apps are currently using the camera or microphone with a glance, the top left of the screen will show a green or orange icon and with a tap it’ll show which app is accessing it.
- Possible redesign: “Silky home” gives the Android 12 Settings menu a new Samsung One UI-inspired look, this was leaked before and might not be the final design but expect to see the final design in the May Beta.
Some of these features are obviously taken from iOS but then Apple have taken from Android quite a bit recently so it’s fair game and only improves both operating systems.
The roadmap for Android 12 shows that we should expect at least 4 more Beta releases for a full public release in the fall.
Google Pixel 5a
The low end Pixel for 2021 is named the Pixel 5a, this time though it seems like it’ll just be a rebranding of the Pixel 4a 5G from last fall.
We expect the 5a to feature the same Snapdragon 765, same display size and design of the 4a 5G so don’t expect the Google silicon Whitechapel SoC that might come this year to the Pixel 6.
The 4a 5G came in at $499/£499 last year but with this being the only low end model in 2021, I think the Pixel 5a will start at $399–450 and Google will continue to sell the smaller Pixel 4a at $350.
We don’t know if the camera has been updated but I expect it’ll just be the same as the 4a 5G, we should also expect new colours such as mint and white models to go along with black.
The Pixel A series are always great sellers for Google, giving you flagship level cameras at such a low cost along with pure Android and the latest updates, I think this will be another win if the device starts at $399.
The Pixel 5a should release this June in the US and Japan first after making it’s debut at I/O.
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
The Pixel Buds came out last year at $179/£179 and received great praise for its design, touch controls and good sound.
Lately the price of the buds has been lowered to $129/£129 in sales and this is the price point I expect the Buds A to come in at as they replace the current buds in some new colours rumoured to be all white and dark green.
So why are they releasing Buds A-Series? I believe some Pixel Buds Pro will release later in the year with Active Noise Cancellation to take that previous $179 price point and undercut the AirPods Pro, the Buds A will become a new low cost pair of wireless buds without ANC to undercut the normal AirPods.
I can’t wait to grab a pair of these, I have AirPods Pro for ANC when outside but they’re not the most comfortable so i’d like to try these out for use at home and if they do come in at $129/£129 and they keep the same specs at the buds from last year, they’re be a great option for many who want to try out wireless buds at a low price.
Google Pixel Watch
This is a long shot for I/O but I thought it might be worth mentioning because it’s quite exciting, The Pixel Watch has been rumoured for years now and we know a Pixel Watch was in the works with LG but was cancelled in 2016.
But now it’s back — according leaker Jon Prosser, it’s officially called the Google Pixel Watch.
Prosser vouches that the design of the watch, bands and watch faces are faithfully replicated in the images he provided and personally, I think it looks amazing.
This could be the best designed smartwatch around if they do it right, looks wise it’s fantastic, if it has a great speaker, haptics, NFC and a good battery then it will be perfect for Android users.
WearOS is getting some love at I/O as well with a facelift and improvements, Google just released Gboard for WearOS at the time of writing this so I expect much more to come for the OS so this could be a good time for them to show the watch off.
Alternatively, they could just be prepping WearOS now so that it’s updated and ready for the watch in the fall.
We shouldn’t forget that Google also owns Fitbit and has a ton of health features from them that they can add to the Pixel watch, 20 different watch straps are expected to launch at the same time and the watch should come in silver or black aluminium frames but it’s unknown if they’ll come in different sizes.
I’m very excited for this because right now the Tic watch and Samsung Galaxy watches are carrying smartwatches for Android and Google really need to get involved and lead the way for others.
Finally, that about wraps it up for the exciting stuff at I/O but I’m sure Google will have some surprises up their sleeves. We could see the Google Whitechapel SoC revealed so that developers can start making use of it and prepare for its release in the fall, maybe some new Nest products like cameras or security alarms as well.
Overall, I feel like this is the most exciting I/O in years and it feels like Google is really starting to find its feet in the hardware World after a few miss-haps (Pixel 2XL display, Pixel 3XL notch, Pixel 4 terrible battery). With the Pixel watch and their own SoC, it feels like they’re trying to get serious with hardware and take full control of Android.
The Pixel Buds A-Series and Pixel 5a will continue to make Google one of the best low to mid range options for many and the Pixel 6 with Google Silicon and Pixel Watch also give the high end users something exciting as well.
They’re finally giving WearOS some love and Android 12 is looking a lot more user friendly and more welcoming to iPhone users who want to switch.
This is going to be an exciting year for Google in software and hardware.
