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Google’s biggest developer event of the year, Google I/O 2026, officially kicks off today at 1 PM EDT. While The Android Show last week gave us a massive preview of the consumer-facing changes coming to our devices, the main I/O keynote is where Google unveils its deepest technical breakthroughs and maps out the future of its entire hardware and software ecosystem.
If you are looking for a place to catch all the announcements as they happen, you can stream the entire opening keynote directly via the embedded video below. But before the show begins, here is a quick breakdown of the biggest announcements we are expecting to see on stage.
Googlebook and the mystery OS
Google already tipped its hand regarding the Googlebook hardware and the underlying Android tech stack (codenamed Project Aluminium) during The Android Show. However, we still do not have an official name for this new laptop operating system. We are incredibly hopeful that Google will finally drop the official branding today, alongside a deeper look at how this new desktop environment and native Android app experience will actually function.
Next-Gen Gemini models
Generative AI will undoubtedly take center stage. Rumors are heavily pointing toward a major upgrade to the core Gemini model: maybe a jump to Gemini 4.0 or new, highly capable “Gemini Live” voice models. We also expect to hear more about Gemini Omni, the recently leaked chat-based video generation tool that appears to be an evolution of Google’s Veo foundation.
Android XR Smart Glasses
After giving us an early prototype look at the Android XR platform last year, expectations are high that Google is finally ready to show off consumer-ready smart glasses. With heavy Gemini Live integration, live translation, and notifications, we are hoping to see exactly how these upcoming wearables from Google’s hardware partners will fit into the broader Android ecosystem.
AI Creativity: Veo, Lyria, and Beam
Beyond the core operating systems, Google is expected to showcase major updates to its creative AI suites. Keep an eye out for advancements in Veo (video generation), Lyria (professional-grade music creation), and potentially Beam, a futuristic 3D video conferencing technology. Grab your coffee, get comfortable, and hit play on the video below to watch the keynote live with us!
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