Google has officially confirmed that its premier developer conference, Google I/O 2026, will take place on May 19 and 20. The announcement was made on February 17, 2026, following a series of interactive, Gemini-powered “save the date” puzzles that challenged developers to unlock the event’s schedule.
The two-day event will return to its familiar home at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, and will be broadcast live to a global audience at io.google.
Event Logistics & Registration
While the event features a limited in-person audience of developers and press, it remains primarily a digital-first experience.
- Dates: May 19–20, 2026
- Keynote Kickoff: May 19 at 10:00 AM PT (10:30 PM IST)
- Location: Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View & Online
- Registration: Now open at io.google. Registering provides access to the full session schedule, digital badges, and the ability to build a custom developer profile.
What to Expect: The “Agentic AI” Era
Google has teased that this year’s showcase will focus on “AI breakthroughs” that move beyond generative text into autonomous execution.
| Category | Expected Announcement | Details |
| Android 17 | Official Preview | Code-named “Quince Tart,” focusing on “Desktop Mode” for foldables and advanced privacy controls. |
| Gemini 4.0 | The Next Frontier | A major architectural leap focused on “Infinite Context” and native reasoning without external tools. |
| Agentic Coding | Project IDX Updates | AI agents that can not only write code but also deploy, test, and monitor apps autonomously. |
| Hardware | Pixel 10 Teaser | A potential first look at the Tensor G6 chip, rumored to be Google’s first fully custom in-house silicon. |
The “Save the Date” Experience
In a nod to its focus on gaming and creativity, Google’s 2026 teaser page features a Gemini-powered playground. Visitors can engage in interactive mini-games like “Hole in One” (mini-golf) and “Nonogram” (board games), all built using the latest Gemini 3 Pro API to demonstrate real-time reasoning and asset generation.
Strategic Timing
By scheduling I/O for mid-May, Google has strategically positioned itself between Microsoft Build (expected late May) and Apple’s WWDC 2026 (early June). This allows Google to set the narrative for the “Spring of AI,” particularly as it faces intensifying competition from OpenAI’s search products and Anthropic’s recent developer expansion in India.
“See you all at Google I/O starting May 19th! We’ll be sharing the latest AI breakthroughs and updates in products across the company, from Gemini to Android and more.” — Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google & Alphabet.
