Google I/O 2013 is next week. Hard to believe, right? It seems like only a few weeks ago that we were freaking out as the Nexus 7, Nexus Q and Jelly bean (Android 4.1) were all being unveiled through Google Play as we were entering the day 1 keynote of 2012′s I/O. But here we are, almost a year removed from that event and six months out from Google’s cancelled winter event that was supposed to feature the Nexus 4, Nexus 10, new version of Jelly Bean (Android 4.2), and an updated HSPA+ version of the Nexus 7. So as we approach next week, we thought we should drop some of our own predictions, include a few rumors that are floating about, and even a few whispers that have entered our inbox over the last week or so.

Ready? Here is our list of Google I/O predictions. 

Will you be attending Google I/O 2013 in San Francisco next month? If so, you might want to start looking at which sessions you will want to attend. In terms of what’s available, there are sessions spanning from Android and Chrome to developing for Google Glass and Google Wallet. There are over 120 choices to choose from, so start planning!

A couple of sessions stand out in particular to us, those being in relation to “Google Cloud Messaging” and a variety of others geared towards gaming. For weeks, we have reported on Google Babel and the possibility of a new gaming center for Android – this sessions could very well be clues to those becoming a reality.

It should be quite the good time.

Via: Google I/O 2013

Google I/O is approaching swiftly, so that means it’s time to fill up our calendars with evening activities, one of which seems to be Lookout Mobile Security’s party. Last year, they asked us to invite a big group of readers from Droid Life to join in on the fun (“fun” meaning free booze and prizes), and have once again asked that we do the same for another 10 members of the DL community. 

Rather than a Nexus 5 is there a chance that Google releases a new version of the Nexus 4 this summer? According to a new rumor that is making the rounds and appearing in our inbox far too often, this is the word on the dark, back alley, make-sure-you-have-a-tight-grip-on-your-purse, streets. The rumor is this – Google is going to release a new variant of the Nexus 4 with both CDMA and LTE radios inside, along with 32GB of storage. It’ll be unveiled at Google I/O in May. So, what do we think? 

Google I/O 2013 registration is open, for those interested. Well, it’s sort of open. From what we’re hearing, the process is not going smoothly once again. The registration page is timing out, users are finding “waiting” messages with no end, and Google Wallet is having all sorts of issues during checkout. It sounds like a complete mess again.

Update:  Google I/O is now sold out. That took less than 50 minutes.

So, for those of you who attempted to get one, did you? Feel free to weigh in with your experience.

If you plan to attend Google I/O in May, you’ll first need to register. Registration opens tomorrow morning at 7:00AM Pacific (10:00AM Eastern) and will require that you have Google+ (for registering) and Google Wallet (for payment) accounts. The event will likely sell out in minutes as it did over the last couple of years, so be sure you have both and are signed in before you attempt to grab a ticket.

General attendees can buy a pass for $900 – students (and faculty) can get in for $300 as long as they can prove they are affiliated with type of school.

The rest of the registration info can be found at the Google I/O site.

Google published the rest of their official Google I/O 2013 page today, which we took a minute to poke around on after receiving our press invite this afternoon. I have to admit though, that we weren’t half as clever as other attentive minds of the internet who realized that the front page was interactive and filled with more Easter Eggs than you can probably count.  

Google just dropped the 2013 Google I/O registration date as March 13 at 7AM. Like last year, attendees will have to pay for their tickets using a Google+ and Google Wallet account, so make sure to get those set up if you intend on going. And as always, expect tickets to sell out within the first 5 minutes.

Update:  Google also threw out pricing details on their G+ page.

Registration will open on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 7:00 AM PDT (GMT-7) and will remain open until tickets are sold out. Based on demand in previous years, we expect to sell out quickly. Just like last year, ticket prices will be USD $900 for general attendees and $300 for academic attendees, and you’ll need a Google+ account and a Google Wallet buyer account to register.

Let the hypebeasting begin!

Via: Google