It was expected by many that Google would announce the next version of Android (4.3 or 5.0), at their I/O conference. But that didn’t happen, and neither did they announce any new hardware. But, as rumored earlier, they have plans to bring out a new version of the Nexus 4 in the very near future and it will be running the new OS version.

It’s not a 32GB model that’s been talked about, but it will apparently be the same Nexus 4 that’s available now but with a white casing. The best thing is that the 16GB model will arrive running Android Jelly Bean 4.3 and the device will be released on the 10^th of June. There are no hints regarding the rumored LTE support, though that is expected to be available as well.

As for the next version of Android, nobody knows what all features it’s coming with, though many believe that it will only be a minor update. Head here if you are interested in taking a better look at the white Nexus 4.

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Tech lovers everywhere should be excited about the 2013 Google I/O conference which kicks off today! So what all things are expected to be unveiled at the event? Let’s take a look.

The search giant has been rumored for quite some to be working on a music streaming service similar to Spotify. And apparently Google has already signed deals with Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group for launching a paid subscription service which will give users access to a whole library of music and not just individual songs or albums. As for the fees, they most probably will ask close to $10 per month. Spotify users are charged $9.99 a month for listening to as many songs as they like.

If Google launches their service today, it would give them a head start on Apple who themselves are reportedly trying to introduce a service similar to Pandora. But recent reports have suggested that the Mac maker’s service will be delayed due to deal making problems.

Next up is Google Glass, their high tech wearable computer. They could have plans to announce some more exciting stuff about the device. But don’t expect too much as the developers are still testing the “Explorer” edition and it will take about a year for the final product to arrive.

We might get a peek at the next version of the Android OS “Key Lime Pie”, but it is looking more likely we will instead see another version of Jelly Bean. And the Jelly Bean update could be previewed on new hardware, maybe an upgraded Nexus 7 with a much faster CPU and improved display. And if that device is also given the $199 price tag, that will be more trouble for the iPad Mini starting at $329. The iPad Mini sales are reportedly against Apple’s expectations at the moment, probably because consumers are waiting for the device’s successor.

Also expected is a possible Nexus 4 smartphone refresh. There also are quite a few gaming-related announcements planned!

What do you hope to see shown off at I/O?

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The idea of Google’s Project Glass might seem a little familiar to any fan of a good Sci-Fi book, movie or video game- augmented reality glasses that help make life a little easier through real-time information and updates as you look at items, the ability to take pictures automatically or on the fly, and other computerized uses that are unique to wearable devices like these. While Project Glass might not be as powerful or capable as the HUD system found in Iron Man’s mask, the large presence of people interested in pre-ordering Project Glass shows that there is a demand for such a device in today’s world.

Many of those in attendance at Google’s I/O event promised to shell out $1500 to pre-order the glasses, which include goodies like a special commemorative block of etched glass from Google for pre-ordering. It seems that company co-founder Sergey Brin has checked in with those at the event that showed true interest in being some of the first to get their hands on the wearable glasses and shared exclusive update information including a photo he took while driving through Montana with the use of a special mode on the glasses that automatically takes a picture in 10 second intervals without any user intervention needed.

It will still be a while longer until Project Glasses becomes something that each of us have easy access to, but there is no denying any longer that the age of wearable computers is just around the corner. How long before wearable computing systems in clothing, glasses and even contacts become as common as a cellular phone, smartphone or even the computer today?

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This isn’t an official release from Google, but RootzWiki went ahead and made the Jelly Bean preview update available to the masses right after the Google I/O event. This update was originally intended for the GSM versions of the Galaxy Nexus, but it has been adapted to work with the LTE models too. This means that all Galaxy Nexus models are eligible for the Android 4.1 upgrade.

At this point, absolutely no bugs have been found and the ROM appears to be 100% functional. Of course, if you want to load up this somewhat unofficial version of Jelly Bean on your Galaxy Nexus, you will need to have root access. That said, if you want Google Now, offline voice dictation, and Project Butter speed, this is the only way you’ll get it at the moment.

You can get the “reverse engineered preview build” of Jelly Bean for your VZW Galaxy Nexus on Rootzwiki. Of course, proceed at your own risk.

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Google Music is going to be a lot like Amazon’s Cloud Player, which lets anyone upload their music to cloud servers and play them via the web, Android, Android@Home or Project Tungsten. Unlike Amazon, who distributes digital music already, Google hasn’t struck a deal with any labels.

Google Music will have features that Amazon doesn’t, including a service that automatically creates playlists for users based on similar sounding songs. Google will also offer more free storage than Amazon does. The service, which rolls out in an invite-only beta today, will offer users the ability to store up to 20,000 songs without charge. Amazon’s service launched with 5 GB, or about 2,000 songs, free of charge.

Google expects the service to roll out to all U.S. google users within weeks of the launch. Exact pricing hasn’t be revealed yet, but it will most likely remain partially free.

As for Apple, they are working on their own version of a cloud-based music service, with licensing pacts with two major music labels. Apple’s service is expected to be launched next month. Google Music better have some pretty fancy features.

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This is live from Google I/O, keep updating to see the latest news from what Google is coming out with.

There will be a new Android called Ice Cream Sandwich and Honeycomb 3.1.

• 100 million activated Android devices
• 400,000 new Android devices activated every day
• 200,000 free and paid applications available in Android Market
• 4.5 billion applications installed from Android Market

Google wants one OS that runs EVERYWHERE.

Holographic UI

Android Market will allow movie rentals

New movies application on Android allows streaming in high-definition. They are going to kill Netflix by allowing “Pinning” which lets you download the movie when you have an internet connection to watch offline when you do not. You can do this on your smartphone or tablet, through the Android Market Movies Tab.

Verizon Xoom 3G users today, Android 2.2 devices and up in a couple weeks.

Music Beta by Google

Music collection is stored in the cloud so that you can basically access them from anywhere on any device.

Music Manager software is for Windows and Mac that lets you add your music to the cloud. You can build your own playlists, or make smart lists by selecting a song you like, “then Google listens to your music and finds similar tracks based on how they sound. To build a truly ingenius mix.”

You can send an invitation request while they last if you are in the US. This will give you 20,000 song storage.

Android Fitness Integration possible with Accessory Reference Design

ADK is the Android “OPEN” Acccessory Development Kit (link), incorporates circuitry for development boards which will also come out from third party companies.

For example, The Android phone will connect to a Life Fitness machine giving you a full readout of your workout, as well as integration with games so your workout is more of a game than a work out.

Joe Britt wants to go one step further and call your entire home an accessory. Where Android is the OS for your home

This will allow every appliance to be controlled as a potential I/O device for Android apps.

“Imagine how applications could tie into your lights and slowly get brighter while playing music when its time to wake up.”

One example is with Quake which communicates with Android@Home to control lights. Lighting Science will begin selling Android@Home enabled LED lights this year.

Project Tungsten

Now announced is Project Tungsten, a combination of Android and Android@Home to create different devices.

Example is of a tablet controlling music from a Tungsten device, synchronized throughout your house, synchronized through Music Beta.

One concept is that CDS could ship with NFC, he takes a CD and touches it to a device and when it chimes, it adds the library to his Android Beta, if he touches it twice it begins to play. Basically touch once, add to library, touch again, play the CD.

Samsung 10.1 Free to Attendees

It’s not available to anyone yet, as its due out in one month. Google is giving away 5000 to everyone attending Google I/O today.

The dual core 720p tablet runs Honeycomb 3.1 which is rolling out over the next couple of weeks, but has 3.0 now.

That concludes this session of Google I/O. For more check out their official website.

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