Google I/O to Take Place in May, Will Once Again Be Online

Google today announced that its annual Google I/O developers conference is set to take place on Wednesday, May 11, and Thursday, May 12, about a month ahead of when we're expecting Apple to hold the annual Worldwide Developers Conference.

Google Logo Feature Slack
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai shared the news this afternoon, and he said the event will be "live from Shoreline Amphitheatre," with the content available online. The wording of his tweet was confusing, but Google has clarified that this will be an online-only event as it has been for the past two years.


A "limited audience" will be at the event, but that will consist of Googlers, with press and other attendees expected to tune in online.


With COVID cases dropping in California and mask mandates lifting, it's possible Google could have chosen to invite some people to attend in person, but the company has opted not to do so, perhaps because Google I/O typically sees attendees from around the globe.

Google's decision to hold an online-only event may give us some insight into Apple's plans. Apple has not announced the dates for the Worldwide Developers Conference, nor has the company said whether this year's event will have an in-person element. Apple has been cautious throughout the global health crisis, so with Google going online only for I/O, we are likely to see Apple opt for an online event as well.

Apple last year announced the dates for the 2021 Worldwide Developers Conference on March 30, so we may not have too long to wait to find out what Apple has in store for WWDC 2022.

Top Rated Comments

Kierkegaarden Avatar
28 months ago

I’m pretty dubious about them going back to live events… ever? The streaming ones give them so much more control over making everything go perfect and I think they’ll have a hard time letting go of that.
The digital events are definitely more polished, but they miss the energy that comes from the audience reaction. Can you imagine the difference if the iPhone was first announced in a digital event vs a live event?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
28 months ago

The digital events are so much better than the live ones, I hope they don’t ever go back now.

The quality and transitions are better, and it seems strange if they really did go back to live events.
I like live events better. Hearing the unbiased grumbling over the 1000$ stand was worth it.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kierkegaarden Avatar
28 months ago
WWDC will most likely be digital as well. But I think (hope) the live events return in the fall!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
28 months ago
Sundar needs to deliver a product that can execute against the Galaxy and iPhone, and the Pixel seems to be falling behind relevant features to the competition.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RalfTheDog Avatar
28 months ago
The sad fact is, the numbers are going back up. If it is a sharp spike, it may be over by then. If not, it could be hitting peak about that time. Why take the risk?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
28 months ago

WWDC will most likely be digital as well. But I think (hope) the live events return in the fall!
I’m pretty dubious about them going back to live events… ever? The streaming ones give them so much more control over making everything go perfect and I think they’ll have a hard time letting go of that.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 18 Apple Music Messages and Notes Feature 1

iOS 18 Rumored to Add New Features to These 16 Apps on Your iPhone

Tuesday April 30, 2024 10:44 am PDT by
Apple is expected to announce iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on June 10, and new features have already been rumored for many apps, including Apple Music, Apple Maps, Calculator, Messages, Notes, Safari, and others. Below, we recap iOS 18 rumors on a per-app basis, based on reports from MacRumors, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and others: Apple Maps: At least two new Apple Maps features are...
5

Apple Event This Week Expected to Last 'About 35 Minutes'

Sunday May 5, 2024 3:13 pm PDT by
Apple will be holding its first event of the year this Tuesday, May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time, with a live stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube. How long will the event be? In his newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the video will have a runtime of "around 35 minutes." Apple is expected to announce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, along with updated Apple Pencil...
top stories 4may2024

Top Stories: Apple Event Preview, iPad Pro With M4 Chip Rumor, New Beats Headphones, and More

Saturday May 4, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
It's been a long time since the last one, but an Apple event is finally right around the corner! While it's anticipated to be a fairly short pre-recorded affair, we're expecting to see the first updates to the iPad lineup in over a year and half, so make sure to tune in to see what Apple has in store. Other news and rumors this week included a couple of product introductions from Apple's...
iOS 17 All New Features Thumb

Apple Says iOS 17.5 Coming 'Soon' With These New Features for iPhones

Monday May 6, 2024 7:33 am PDT by
Apple today announced that iOS 17.5 will be released to the public "soon," following over a month of beta testing. While the software update is relatively minor, it does have a few new features and changes, as outlined in the list below. "The new Pride Radiance watch face and iPhone and iPad wallpapers will be available soon with watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, and iPadOS 17.5," said Apple, in its...
2024 Apple Watch Pride Face Feature

Apple Unveils 2024 Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop Band and Watch Face

Monday May 6, 2024 6:11 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch band, watch face, and wallpaper. The band features a fluorescent design inspired by multiple pride flags with a laser-etched lug that reads "PRIDE 2024." Black, Hispanic, and Latin communities, as well as those impacted by HIV/AIDS, are represented on the band by the black and brown colors, while transgender and...