Google I/O 2026 Dates Announced: May 19-20 at Shoreline Amphitheater

Google has officially announced the dates for its annual developer conference I/O 2026, which will take place on May 19-20 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. The event is scheduled to kick off on May 19 at 10AM PT (5PM UTC), with Google confirming that it will be livestreaming all keynotes, demos, and developer sessions for those unable to attend in person.

What to Expect at I/O 2026

The conference is expected to follow a similar pattern to previous years, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence advancements alongside updates to Google's core platforms. According to the announcement, attendees and viewers can anticipate updates to:

• Gemini AI - Google's flagship AI platform
• Android - Likely including a preview of Android 17 (codenamed Cinnamon Bun)
• Chrome - The popular web browser
• Cloud - Google's cloud computing services

Last year's I/O event was heavily centered around AI, with new releases including the Pro and Flash Gemini models, the Imagen 4 image generator, and the Veo 3 AI video generator. This year's conference is expected to continue that trend with additional AI model announcements.

Platform Updates Beyond AI

While AI will likely dominate the headlines, Google has confirmed that the conference will also provide updates on several other platforms:

• Android XR - Google's extended reality platform
• Wear OS - The smartwatch operating system
• Android TV - The television platform
• Google Workspace - Productivity and collaboration tools

These updates could include new features, developer tools, and potentially hardware announcements related to these platforms.

Android 17 Preview Expected

One of the most anticipated aspects of the conference will likely be a sneak peek at Android 17, which is codenamed "Cinnamon Bun." The stable release of Android 17 is expected to arrive in June, making I/O an ideal platform for Google to showcase new features and gather developer feedback before the official launch.

Livestream and Developer Access

As with previous years, Google is making the event accessible to developers and enthusiasts worldwide through comprehensive livestreaming. All keynotes, demos, and developer sessions will be available online, ensuring that the global developer community can participate regardless of location.

Historical Context

The I/O conference has become one of the most important events in the tech calendar, serving as Google's primary platform for major announcements across its product ecosystem. The choice of the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View continues Google's tradition of hosting the event near its headquarters, allowing for easy access to Google's engineering teams and facilities.

The timing of the conference, typically held in May, positions it strategically before the summer release cycle for many Google products, particularly Android updates that traditionally ship in the summer months.

The announcement comes as Google continues to position itself as a leader in AI development, with the Gemini platform representing one of the company's most significant investments in artificial intelligence technology. The I/O conference will likely serve as a showcase for how Google is integrating AI across its entire product ecosystem, from mobile devices to cloud services.

For developers, the conference represents an opportunity to learn about new APIs, tools, and best practices for building applications on Google's platforms. For consumers and tech enthusiasts, it offers a glimpse into the future direction of Google's products and services.

The livestreaming option ensures that the broader community can engage with the announcements and developments, making I/O not just a developer conference but a major tech industry event with implications for users across Google's entire ecosystem.