Skip to main content

I/O, here we come! CEO Pichai confirms May 17-19 as dates for Google event

Android Wear Google I/O
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Every year, Google holds a conference for its developers, known as Google I/O. Its primary focus is to teach developers how to best use the company’s many tools and software packages, but it’s the keynote speech that usually draws fans’ attention. It’s where we get a glimpse at what’s next for Android, Chrome, and many other Google platforms — and if we’re really lucky, a look at amazing future projects.

What will be revealed at Google I/O 2017? Here’s everything we think we know about the big event.

Google I/O is set for May 17-19

Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai has officially confirmed the dates for Google I/O — May 17-19. Not only that, but Pichai also confirmed that the event would take place at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California, which is the same venue Google used for I/O 2016. It has space for a hefty 7,000 attendees.

Like previous years, Google set up a somewhat complex puzzle for developers to figure out the dates and location for the event. Only two days before the official announcement, the Google Developers Twitter account tweeted out a mysterious message that led to the discovery of what turned out to be the dates and location for Google I/O 2017. With the accompanying hashtag #SaveTheDate, the cryptic message said: “Around the world, from here to there, to the most clever minds, the secret will share,” leading inquiring puzzle-solvers to this website.

This kind of quiz isn’t uncharacteristic for Google — the company often sends out programming challenges and quizzes to give developers a chance to win tickets to Google I/O and other prizes. The road to revealing the dates was as complex and geeky as you’d expect, but a group of clever folks on the Discord website managed to solve the puzzle. Armed with coordinates taken from mysterious websites, as well as clues from unlisted YouTube videos, they laid out all the data out on a chess board ready for some final calculations, and the secret was eventually discovered.

It makes sense for Google to begin preparing for the May event now — Google I/O 2016 was officially announced in January 2016, with more details following in March. We’ll provide updates here with official news and rumors, so check back often.

Article originally published on 01-24-2017 by Christian de Looper. Updated on 01-26-2017 by Christian de Looper: Added official confirmation of Google I/O dates and location from Sundar Pichai.

Editors' Recommendations

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
Everything announced at Google I/O 2023: Pixel Fold, Pixel 7a, and more
The Google I/O 2023 logo outside Mountain View.

Every year, Google takes to Google I/O to announce its plans and products for the coming year. While the event itself will run for several days, the opening keynote presentation covers all the major announcements, from the newest version of Android to the latest versions of the Pixel smartphones.

So, what did Google have in store for us with Google I/O 2023? Quite a lot! From the Pixel Fold to the Pixel 7a to a ton of AI updates and more, here are all of the biggest announcements from Google I/O 2023.
Google Pixel Fold

Read more
iOS 17 could be a surprisingly big update — here’s what it may change
An iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro laying on a table with their screens on.

Earlier this year, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg reported that iOS 17 may not be a big update, and would instead focus on fixing bugs and improving overall performance, as the company is shifting most gears toward the release of its augmented reality headset instead. However, now Gurman seems to have backtracked on that, saying in a recent Power On newsletter that iOS 17 may actually bring several of the “most requested features” to iOS.

That’s a very vague and general statement. But what could those highly requested features be? Here’s what we think could be added, based on feature requests over the years from the community.
Multiple timers

Read more
5 things we’d love to see at Google I/O 2023 (but probably won’t)
Google Pixel Watch on a wrist.

Google's annual developer conference, Google I/O, kicks off on May 10. Don't let the words "developer conference" put you off, though, as Google I/O is one of the biggest and most exciting shows of the year.

We've already covered what we expect to see at Google I/O 2023, and that list includes the Pixel 7a, Android 14, and even a Google Pixel Fold. But although those are all things we're really looking forward to and expecting to see, there are a number of reveals we'd also love to happen ... but are extremely unlikely to appear on the grand stage.

Read more