With futuristic technology like the Google Glass project, this session should prove to be just as entertaining! So what can we expect from the Google I/O this year?
1. Google I/O Sessions Schedule
The Google I/O 2013 schedule is jam packed with multiple topics (or tracks) to cover which include Android, Chrome & Apps, Google+, Google Cloud Platform, Google Maps, YouTube, Glass, Google Ads, Google Wallet, Knowledge & Structured Data and Tech Talk. Check out a complete listing of the 3-day Google I/O conference itinerary here, and you can install the official conference companion app over at Google Play. This app lets you view the conference agenda and edit your personal schedule, as well as view detailed session and speaker information.
2. Google is Rumored to be Launching a Streaming-Music Service
Google will reportedly unveil a new subscription music service at the Google I/O conference, according to The Verge and other sources. Google has signed separate licensing deals with major record labels like the Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group, for use on both YouTube and the Google Play store. Google appears to now be a powerful player in the music industry. Its subscription music service is said to be a Spotify-killer, that would offer on-demand songs that could be streamed on PCs and mobile devices. According to the NYT, there won’t be an initial free tier, but instead a paid subscription option similar to other competing services at roughly $10 per month. This launch gives Google the upper-hand on Apple who is also looking to launch a similar service, but has hit a snag in negotiations with the record labels.
3. Upgrades for the Nexus Smartphone and Tablet Hardware
Google is also rumored to be unveiling a upgrade for the Nexus 4 phone boasting a 32GB internal memory upgrade and LTE chip. And according to KGI Securities analyst Mingchi Kuo, there is a brand new Nexus 7, a 7 inch tablet coming powered by a Qualcomm chip.
4. New Google Maps Overhaul
Google is also likely to launch a new interface for Google Maps today. The face-lift is said to remove the sidebar and will display all information overlaid on top of the full-screen map. Also the DroidLife discovered that the new Google Maps sign-up page was live briefly and revealed all sorts of juicy details which include a smarter search box, images from Google Earth, incorporating Google’s lesser known flight search and a way to compare various modes of transportation.
5. Google Universal Analytics
Google Analytics recently launched Universal Analytics, which provides a new way to measure user interactions across any device, platform, or environment. This data would allow developers to further optimize their applications for users. Be sure to check out the live stream of this session on May 16th from 1:40 to 2:20pm (PDT), where they’ll discuss best practices for measuring user-interaction on multiple devices, as well as a demo of the new reports feature and how to further optimize for both the web and mobile apps.
What are you excited to hear about from the Google I/O Conference?