Google I/O runs May 20 and 21 this year, with Google holding its biggest keynote of the year right on day one. We expect Google to talk about its latest updates and innovations across all of its ever-expanding portfolio of products, perhaps even with some sneak peeks at upcoming hardware. But only if we all collectively cross our fingers.

But Google is also hosting a totally separate event solely focusing on Android. Called the Android Show: I/O Edition, this event will be prerecorded and will take place exactly a week before the I/O keynote. We expect it will focus much more on what we can expect from Android 16, Wear OS and other Android-related products. 
By breaking out Android news into its own virtual event, Google frees itself to spend more time during the I/O keynote to talk about Gemini, Deep Mind, Android XR and Project Astra. It’s likely going to be a jam-packed series of events, so here’s how you can watch them both and what you can look forward to.

Android Show: I/O Edition: Where to watch

While the main I/O keynote isn’t until later in May, the company’s new Android Show is mere days away, taking place on May 13, 10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT, 6 p.m. BST). It’ll be livestreamed on the Android YouTube channel. It will focus heavily on Android 16, which has been in public beta for some time and is expected to launch officially in June. It’s earlier than Android usually rolls out; a driving force behind that move is to give developers more time with the early software to help optimize apps and software that focus on AI. 

Rumored Android 16 features include updates to the camera for more fine-grain control over exposure and color temperature, more dynamic app resizing when using foldable phones and updates to the ways notifications are displayed. It’s possible Google may also talk about Android XR, the company’s latest foray into mixed-reality headsets in partnership with Samsung and its Project Moohan headset. We also expect announcements around Wear OS, Google’s software powering Android-based smartwatches.

Google I/O: Where to watch

Google I/O proper kicks off with a keynote taking place on May 20, 10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT, 6 p.m. BST). It’ll almost certainly be available to stream online on Google’s own YouTube channel, although a holding video is yet to be available. There’s no live link on the I/O website yet, either, though you can use the handy links to add the event to your calendar of choice. Expect links to a livestream to be available closer to the day.

What to expect from Google I/O 2025

Google has talked less and less about Android at its I/O developer conference, with uses of the word «Android» falling far below the 124 times the word «AI» was spoken on stage during the 2024 keynote. Given that Google is spinning its Android announcements into its own event, it’s safe to expect that Android will continue to take a back seat.

AI will definitely dominate the conversation at this year’s I/O. From its integration into Android to the always-seeing Project Astra, AI tools will continue to be infused deeper into everything that Google does, whether you like it or not. Hopefully, Google will do a better job of communicating its new AI tools than it did last year. 

Google’s latest budget phone, the $499 Pixel 9A, is now available in stores, fresh off the heels of Apple’s «affordable» offering, the $599 iPhone 16E. Very convenient timing.  

The Pixel 9A is $300 cheaper than the baseline Pixel 9 and therefore scales back a bit when it comes to features like cameras and RAM. However, it maintains other attributes, like display size, processor and AI features — and even touts a higher battery capacity than its pricier Pixel counterparts. For more on what the new phone has in store, be sure to check out CNET’s Pixel 9A review.

So, is the Pixel 9A a good fit for you? Here’s our guide, with everything to consider. 

Camera guide

Being able to take good photos is usually a top priority when buying a new phone since, for most people, their phone is their only camera. The Pixel 9A has two cameras on the back: a 48-megapixel wide and 13-megapixel ultrawide, along with a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. That places the 9A’s rear camera specs below those on the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, but megapixels aren’t the only factor in getting quality shots. (You can check out the spec chart below to see how the cameras compare on these phones.)

The Pixel 9A’s camera supports Macro Focus, meaning you can get closer to your subject — like if you’re snapping a close-up of your delicious meal — and have it be in crisp focus. With the 9A, Google uses the main camera to enable Macro Focus instead of the ultrawide camera, as with many other phones. 

AI guide

What’s perhaps most notable about the Pixel 9A is the suite of AI editing tools you’ll still have access to, even with that lower price. Features like Magic Editor can help clean up your shots and alter backgrounds, Best Take creates an image where everyone in a group photo looks their best, and Add Me employs AI and augmented reality to incorporate the photographer in the final image.

For people who are curious about the myriad AI features companies are bombarding us with, the Pixel 9A can be a good device for dipping your toes in those waters, hopefully without feeling inundated — and without shelling out too much cash to see what all the buzz is about. I find photo editing tools among the best uses of AI because they eliminate the need for pricey software and let you touch up photos directly on your device, with no special skills needed.

The Pixel 9A’s Design: Google Takes Minimalism to the Extreme

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But if you would rather venture deeper into AI territory, the 9A’s still got you covered. You’ll have access to Gemini to help with tasks like writing, brainstorming and carrying out actions across apps. You’ll also get Circle to Search so you can learn more about whatever’s on your screen — a feature upon which I’ve become heavily reliant. Those features are great because they feel like a natural way to ease into AI since they’re so deeply integrated into your device and seamless to use. 

With AI being a staple of almost every new phone, tapping into those capabilities without breaking the bank can be an enticing option for someone who still isn’t sure what the big deal is — and then see if the Pixel 9A changes their mind.

For those who hold onto their phones

While carriers may expect you to upgrade your phone every two years, manufacturers like Google and Samsung have extended the window for software and security upgrades on their phones to seven years. That applies to lower-priced phones like the Pixel 9A as well, giving budget-conscious consumers even more reason to feel like they’ve scored a deal.

Not buying a flagship device can also mean feeling less susceptible to the pressures of upgrades. It’s typically more premium phones — usually with minor tweaks — that are aggressively pushed onto those keen to purchase the latest tech. If simply having a phone with key features is all that matters, then the Pixel 9A can be a good way to dodge all that noise. 

This can also make the Pixel 9A a good option for kids, who probably don’t need the flashiest devices. Features like Family Link allow parents to manage privacy settings, screen time limits and location sharing, and they can also silence notifications and disable apps during school hours. 

The Pixel 9A packs the same Google Tensor G4 processor as the flagship Pixel 9 and 9 Pro but has 8GB of RAM instead of the 12GB and 16GB you’ll get on those premium phones. That should still be more than enough for everyday use, like scrolling through social media, snapping photos and browsing the web. If you’re a heavy mobile gamer, 8GB of RAM might not be ideal, but it won’t be an issue for most people. 

The Pixel 9A’s 6.3-inch OLED display matches up with what you’ll get on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, so you don’t have to scale back your viewing experience — especially with a 60Hz to 120Hz variable refresh rate that should make scrolling seamless. 

And with a 5,100-mAh battery, the Pixel 9A should be able to last you throughout the day. Like the iPhone 16E, the Pixel 9A actually touts a higher battery capacity than its pricier peers, which each have a 4,700-mAh battery. That can also help you feel like you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

What you won’t get with this phone is the Pixel 9’s Satellite SOS feature, which uses satellites to contact emergency services when you’re out of range of a cell signal or Wi-Fi. But if you don’t often find yourself in places without cell service, like on a remote hiking trail, then you hopefully shouldn’t feel its absence. 

With all that in mind, if you have last year’s Pixel 8A, there’s probably not enough reason to upgrade to the 9A, as they share many of the same features, specs and AI capabilities. 

But if you’ve got a Pixel 7A and want to tap into some newer AI features, the 9A might be enticing. Similarly, if you have a Pixel 6A or older, you could see a noticeable improvement in the 9A’s camera, battery life and overall performance. 

And if you’d rather hang tight to your phone and keep stretching your dollar, more power to you.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

3-Down on today’s NYT Mini Crossword stuck out as odd to me. «Either way you look at it?» Ahhh, now I get it: The word is spelled the same forwards and backwards. It’s a palindrome. Not sure if that will help you solve it, but there you are. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Piece of bacon
Answer: STRIP

6A clue: Renter’s contract
Answer: LEASE

7A clue: Country whose national bird is the peacock
Answer: INDIA

8A clue: Layers of paint
Answer: COATS

9A clue: Make a mistake
Answer: ERR

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Piece of toast
Answer: SLICE

2D clue: Kind of saxophone played by Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane
Answer: TENOR

3D clue: Weather forecast tool, either way you look at it
Answer: RADAR

4D clue: «___ just me …?»
Answer: ISIT

5D clue: Pod group
Answer: PEAS

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.