What to expect from Google I/O 2019

Enlarge / Shoreline Amphitheatre, as seen at Google I/O 2017. (credit: Ron Amadeo)
Google I/O kicks off May 7 in Mountain View, California, where Google will be hosting a keynote and a million other sessions at the Shoreline Amphitheater. The keynote starts at 10am PT, and we'll be there to cover everything announced at the show. But before we hop on a plane and fly down to Google HQ, we've prepared a likely list of things we anticipate Google will announce. If you want to know where the larger Google-verse is about to go, here are the rumors, expected updates on previously announced things, and notable schedule tidbits to keep an eye on at I/O 2019.
Table of Contents

The mid-range Pixel


Can the Pixel 3a survive in the cutthroat value market?


Seriously, 'Google Nest' products?


Android Q Beta 3


Walking back scoped storage


Changes to gesture navigation


Smart notification actions


The Privacy Dashboard


APEX—Updating system-level components through the Play Store


APEX manager


Live boot, for Android?


Many compatible Beta 3 devices


Android for feature phones?


Updates on Stadia and Android Automotive


See you May 7!


The mid-range Pixel





Google's teaser #1.



When it comes to entry-level smartphone pricing, Google gets the title of 'Most Expensive Smartphone Lineup on Earth.' Google wants to be a smartphone manufacturer, but its cheapest phone, the Pixel 3, starts at $800. Most other manufacturers have a range of smartphones starting as low as $100 and going up from there. You can even enter the iOS ecosystem for just $449, where Apple will still sell you a new iPhone 7.
At Google I/O 2019, Google will take a baby step toward offering a real smartphone lineup by launching something other than a premium smartphone: a mid-range Pixel is coming, and supposedly there will be two devices, called the 'Pixel 3a' and 'Pixel 3a XL,' with identical designs. Hardware has been absent from Google I/O for several years, but these devices are pretty much a lock to debut at Google I/O—Google has already sent out a teaser for May 7.
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