What you need to know
- Google has started teasing what’s coming next for the I/O 2026 conference with the arrival of its session list.
- Among the highlights for May 19 (after the keynote), Google plans to talk about its AI software, Android 17, and Chrome for 2026 later that afternoon.
- The next day, the company releases information on Android 17’s “Adaptive Everywhere” approach, which brings Android, Chrome OS, and XR into the fold.
- I/O 2026 will take place on May 19 at 1pm ET/10am PT.
As usual, Google is teasing what’s to come at its annual I/O conference after the expected keynote.
This morning (April 14), Google Posted session listTeasing its plans for its I/O 2026 conference in May. First, the company reiterates that its upcoming keynote will take place on May 19 at 1 pm ET (10 am PT). The session page lets users add it to their calendar, so you don’t miss out. However, what’s more important is the list itself, as Google says other conferences, such as the one for its AI, will begin on May 19 at 3:30 pm PT.
For those interested, Google says its AI conference will include “information about the latest model capabilities in multimodel, media generation, and robotics and how to leverage them…” followed by a list of highlights Android 17 as a major event, lasting ~45 minutes. Google intends to cover Android 17’s performance updates, as well as “new capabilities for media and camera apps, new functionality for desktop and large-screen apps, and how we’re using agentic automation to empower users to get things done faster.”
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Google Chrome is also in the headlines these days. While the company is busy releasing more AI-focused updates to the browser, there’s a lot more in store. The quick description says that Google will discuss “new capabilities” for Chrome for 2026 at this meeting. Google Play will be discussed later in the day on May 19. This particular conference seems to be tailored for users with businesses who want to grow on the platform.
An “Adaptive Development” note was also mentioned in relation to Android 17. The next major Android OS is reportedly moving into an “Adaptive Everywhere” approach, where users can “move seamlessly between phones, cars, living rooms, and immersive environments.” Google has labeled it as belonging to Android, ChromeOS and XR.
Was there a conspiracy?
We first started getting I/O 2026 teasers in February, when Google debuted Annual series of puzzles for users to tell the date. There were many this year, each taking advantage of their own AI systems, such as Gemini 3. Users quickly solved the puzzles, reaching 100% completion, and revealing the May 19–20 date for the event. Google also confirmed that I/O 2026 will take place at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California.
If you want to watch, Google will livestream its keynote on May 19 at 1 pm ET/10 am PT. Developers can register for the event, but it’s worth noting that “it follows a lottery or invitation-style system, so signing up does not automatically guarantee a spot at the keynote.” What’s interesting about today’s session list is that it doesn’t mention Android XR yet. We’re expecting Google to talk about this at least to some extent during its keynote, but more would be welcome.
We got that little XR teaser for Android 17’s “Adaptive Everywhere,” but that’s probably not all.
Android Central’s Tech
Google’s software side generally shines on I/O. While we always look forward to Pixel teasers, we usually have to wait until after that or in the summer for the Made by Google event. Nonetheless, Google is preparing a lot this year. Android 17 is a heavy hitter, but that’s just the way it is Android XR experience. Then, there’s Gemini. That was its most recent (and important) update for Personal Intelligence users, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting another big reveal at I/O.
