Google I/O 2022: Day 1 with the Pixel 6a, the Pixel Watch and more
Google I/O 2022 has arrived, and the company has made a number of interesting announcements for its hybrid in-person/online developers conference.
As always, Google I/O is mostly about developer-rated news and advancements. But the event has a few consumer announcements as well. With that in mind, we’ve put together the biggest reveals at Google I/O this year.
Google I/O 2022: Important information
- What is Google I/O? Google I/O is the search giant’s yearly developer conference. It’s where developers go to get updated on the latest technology to improve the development of apps and other services for the Google ecosystem. It’s also one of the main events for new Google announcements.
- When is Google I/O 2022? This year, Google I/O is taking place on May 11-12.
- Where will Google I/O 2022 be held? Google is beginning to re-open its doors to the public for in-person attendance, but only to a “limited live audience” at the Shoreline Amphitheater, in Mountain View, California. For everyone else, the event will be available for viewing online.
What was announced Google I/O 2022?
We’ve rounded up the latest reveals for you. Check them out for now, but also stay tuned for more coverage of the Google I/O 2022 event.
Android 13
Android 13 got its own spotlight during the Google I/O 2022 keynote. The first developer preview came in February and now the second developer preview is available. The software is available for installation on recent Pixel phones.
We already know about plenty of Android 13 features, but the company announces some more additions. That includes more control over what personal content apps can access, with two categories, “Photos & videos” and “Music & audio.” The new photo picker will allow you to specify the exact photos that apps can access on your Android 13 device. The new OS will also automatically delete your clipboard history after a short period of time for better privacy. Android 13 will also include better multitasking features for tablets or devices with larger screens.
Here: Check out our Android 13 Beta hands-on to see the new version in action
Google Pixel 6a
As expected, Google announced a new and cheaper version of its Pixel 6 smartphones, the Pixel 6a. It will have a 6.1-inch display, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 4,306mAh battery. Inside, it will have the same Google Tensor processor that’s available on the Pixel 6 phones. However, its camera will have the same hardware as last year’s Pixel 5a smartphone. It will be priced at $449, with pre-orders going live on July 21, and an official sale date of July 28.
Google Pixel Buds Pro
Google I/O also revealed another new hardware device coming soon, the Pixel Buds Pro. They will include a custom audio chip that will enable Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), along with Silent Seal to allow the audio to offer the best amount of sound to your ears. Other features will include transparency mode that will let you hear the outside world while also continining to use your Pixel Buds Pro. It will go on sale July 21 for $199.
Google Pixel 7
In a bit of a surprise, Google officially showed off the back of the next-generation Pixel phones, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The Pixel 7 will have two camera sensors in the back, while the Pixel 7 Pro will include three rear camera. The camera sections of both phones will be made of raised aluminum. Google also confirmed the phones will have the next-generation Tensor processor inside, and both will ship with Android 13. We will certainly learn much more about these phones in the coming months before their planned launch this fall.
Google Pixel Watch
Previously rumored, and even leaked physically, the Google Pixel Watch was officially announced during Google I/O. It’s also due this fall and will launch alongside the new Pixe 7 phones. The circular design of the phone itself will be made of stainless steel, and will include support for customizable bands. In addition to a new version of Wear OS, the smartwatch will also include access to Google’s recently acquired Fitbit fitness software tools. Again, more info on the Google Pixel Watch will be announced in the months to come.
Learn more: Everything we know about the Google Pixel Watch
New Google Tablet
Google is also going to make another try at the tablet market, after it said it was no longer going to make those devices back in 2019. The company has yet to announce the official name or specs of this new Android tablet device, except to say it will also use the Tensor processor like its Pixel phones. It’s due out sometime in 2023.
Other things
- Google announced that 24 more languages are now supported for its Google Translate platform.
- Immersive view is a new feature rolling out later this year in Google Maps. You will be able to pan around in 3D in many cities and even go inside buildings like restaurants.
- YouTube is adding auto-generated chapters to new videos, along with auto-translated captions in 16 languages for mobile devices.
- Google Docs will add automated summaries for documents via machine learning, and the feature will be added to Chats later.
- Google Meets will add better video imaging, again via machine learning AI.
- Google Search will be adding Multisearch Near Me, which will combine searching for things in both photos and phrases, and find where they are nearby the person searching.
- Scene Exploration will allow users to take multiple photos of a location, and then identify the objects in those images, such as finding specific products at the grocery store.
- Google has launched an open-sourced version of its skin tone guide for images that will offer better inclusion and representation for many users.
- Look and Talk is rolling out to Google Nest Hub Max smart displays. It will allow users to make simple and command voice commands or requests via Google Translate, without having to say, “Hey Google” beforehand.
- Google’s My Settings feature will add custom ad viewing for Search, YouTube and Ads.
- More ways to request the removal of personal data from Search requests, like email, home addresses, and phones numbers, are being added.
- Google announced a new version of Google Wallet, which will come first to Wear OS devices. Google Wallent will allow users to store things like driver’s licenses, payment cards, boarding passes, hotel keys, office badges, and more from your mobile device.
- The Google TV app will add a feature in the near future that will allow users to cast TV shows and movies from their Android device directly to their supported smart TV.
- A second Google Store will open on June 16 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York.
Sign up for Google I/O!
The online Google I/O experience is free and available to everyone this year. All you have to do is access the Google I/O website and hit the Register button in the top-right corner of the page. Follow instructions to sign up for the event and enjoy!
You might also want to look at the Google I/O program to see all the keynotes and events available. Of course, you can always come straight to Android Authority for all your Google I/O news, too. We will definitely be covering it all!