Following Apple’s WWDC announcement and Microsoft’s Build reveal, Google has announced a date for its own developers conference, Google I/O 2021, which will kick off virtually on May 19.
Given the current state of the pandemic and ongoing vaccine distributions, the move to go online-only for Google I/O 2021 makes a lot of sense. Google initially teased I/O 2021 via an interactive game posted on its event site where users were asked to solve a series of 10 puzzles before revealing the official dates: May 19-21 in Australia.
While Google has yet to reveal much about what is has planned for the event, in addition to the usual lineup of dev talks and coding sessions that will be free to attend, Google may have a few hardware launches in store.
[referenced id=”1684898″ url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2021/04/leaks-hint-that-google-has-new-pixel-buds-and-a-nest-security-cam-in-store/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/02/q56j2idkdvyggrvcfaxc-300×169.jpg” title=”Leaks Hint That Google Has New Pixel Buds and a Nest Security Cam In Store” excerpt=”The pandemic has thrown gadget release schedules all out of wack, so while we wait for new devices to officially be announced, leaks today suggest Google’s next two products could be a new Nest security cam and updated Pixel Buds.”]
Based on previous leaks and rumours, Google could announce a refreshed and cheaper version of last year’s Pixel Buds called the Pixel Buds A, with a rumoured price tag of around $US100 ($131).
According to leaker Jon Prosser (who has a mixed track record when it comes to accurate predictions), Google is also expected to release a new mid-range phone, the Pixel 5a, in June, which suggests that could Google could officially announce the device a few weeks earlier in May at Google I/O 2021.
We’re also expecting to see at least one new security cam from Nest after stock for the Nest Cam IQ Indoor and Nest Cam IQ Outdoor dried up earlier this year and Google promised “a new lineup of security cameras for 2021.”
We also wouldn’t be surprised to see a new Pixelbook 2 or possibly a revamped Pixelbook Go, which was originally rumoured to get announced at Google’s hardware showcase last fall but never ended up making an appearance.
Either way, with Google having cancelled Google I/O 2020 last year due to covid-19, it’s nice to see I/O make a comeback in 2021, even if it’s just an online-only event.