The annual Google I/O developer conference begins June 25th, and Google’s expected to spend a lot of time showing off Android Wear, its next-generation TV software, and more.

But it looks like we could also get a look at the next version of Android. Ahead of this week’s Google I/O event, Bloomberg Businesweek has a profile of Google’s Android chief Sundar Pichai and reports that while major new Android releases are usually announced in the fall, device makers wanted more time to prepare for the holiday season.

So we could get our first look at the next version of Android this week, although as Android Police points out, it might not actually be available to the public until this fall.

android logo

All we really know about the next version of Android is that it’ll have a code-name based on a dessert that starts with the letter L. Google also appears to be changing the way it names API levels in its developer kit so that we’ll see API level L instead of level 20.

Based on a series of recent leaks and other reports, it seems likely that the next release could feature a new user interface for core apps and features, more widespread use of Google Now and “OK Google” voice actions, and more.

One thing we probably won’t see is official support for touchscreen laptops like the recently announced HP SlateBook 14. According to Bloomber Businessweek, Pichai killed plans to develop Android for laptops because it’d step on the toes of the Chrome OS team.

 

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3 replies on “Report: Google to unveil Android “L” branch at I/O”

  1. Pichai: “No Android for laptops, it would step on the toes of the Chrome OS team.”
    Yoda: “That is why you fail. Such a lost opportunity for you, software developers, and users.”

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