There’s big change on the horizon for I/O. The venue for this year’s annual developer’s conference, Shoreline Amphitheater, is not only bigger than past event spaces, it’s also located smack-dab in the middle of the Silicon Valley, wedged right in between NASA Ames ’s own headquarters in Mountain View.

But it’s not just the venue that’s changed. At this year’s I/O, will present itself as a branch of its parent company, phabet, rather than its own all-encompassing entity. And while there may be plenty of sessions devoted to Android development across phones, the living room, auto, they’ll sit alongside other workshops covering ’s peripheral projects. Indeed, the focus on virtual reality looks to be intense.

So, what can you expect from this year’s massive developers conference? t’s explore.

Android N: Tell us more

at we already know: In years past, has waited until hours after the I/O keynote to release the first version of Android’s newest preview build. This year, however, launched an alpha preview version of Android N before attendees had even secured their badges for the conference. 

know that Android N features a split-screen mode for productivity scenarios, that there’s code for a floating window mode, along with mouse support. Android N will also introduce minor tweaks, such as an updated notification panel a “night mode” that dims the screen when it’s dark.

And with last month’s update, we learned that Android N will have built-in support for virtual reality the Vulkan graphics A, which will be significant for gamers once developers start taking advantage of that code. will continue to seed updates to those who have opted into the Android N preview program every month until the system’s official release in Q3 2016.

at could reveal: There’s got to be more to Android than just a few minor feature updates the inclusion of gamer-friendly As software tweaks, right? So this year we expect ’s Android announcements will be more focused on offering a glimpse into the future. at we see at I/O next week may not be baked into Android N, but we still hope to be dazzled.

A report from the ll Street urnal suggests that there’s a Chrome OS Android merger on the horizon. It sounds far-fetched, but with Android N’s secret floating window mode, the xel C’s mere existence, may attempt to make a major play for productivity-focused users by merging its desktop mobile OSes.

There’s also code inside Chrome OS that suggests that system will eventually hook into the ay Store—lending more support to the prospect that ’s desktop users will eventually tap into the Android app ecosystem. This fits within ’s vision to have Android installed on every conceivable piece of technology with a display, from your phone to your tablet to your TV to your dashboard, , yes, even your . It’s the perfect cross-device synergy that is looking for, we expect to learn more about this next week.

Unlikely, but awesome: It is extremely unlikely that Android N will be a full-fledged desktop OS by the time it’s released this fall. st consider the interface changes would have to implement—Android isn’t even close to ndows, after all. But perhaps could offer demos of an Android desktop concept. Now that would be awesome. st thinking out loud.

Android Auto autonomous driving

Fiat Chrysler Automotives

at we already know: ’s pod-like self-driving cars have been cruising the streets of Mountain View since last summer— getting into accidents. Recently, the company signed a deal with Fiat Chrysler to produce cifica minivans built on the self-driving technology. Soccer Moms everywhere cheered in unison.

Separately, specifically on the Android side of things, has added more partners to the Open Automotive liance since Android Auto’s official launch last spring, including luxury car makers like Mercedes-z BM

at could reveal: Nothing on the I/O calendar supports this, but we have to imagine that one of the reasons is schlepping developers down to Silicon Valley is that there’s plenty of room at Shoreline Amphitheater ( the surrounding streets of Mountain View) to demo its fleet of self-driving pods. So, hopefully I/O will reveal more about ’s trajectory for the self-driving car program, whether the company remains optimistic about putting its fleet on the streets by 2020.

should also hear more about Android Auto, ’s bid to put the mobile OS on car dashboards. Despite announcing new partnerships, ’s been rather quiet regarding the in-car software. It’s about time for a system update, we also want more information on how many Android apps have actually been formatted to work in the car.

Unlikely, but awesome: If really wants to amaze us, it will announce that it’s foregoing self-driving cars jumping straight ahead into personal people-drones. Because where we’re going, we don’t need roads.

Virtual Reality

at we already know: The virtual reality train at headquarters appears to be an unstoppable force. As we already mentioned, the Android N alpha preview offers exped support for VR, hinting at a future of virtual-reality-ready applications. But there’s more coming. th seven different sessions on the docket devoted to virtual reality, including a session on developing for oject Tango, I/O could quickly turn into a VR show.

at could reveal: Clay Bavor, vice president of ’s VR division, has said in the past that the company’s virtual reality story won’t stop at Cardboard. And a sly tweet from Rojas suggests we’ll likely see the extent of that at I/O.

Android VR will definitely be announced next week, from what I’ve heard will be less powerful than the Vive or Rift.

— Rojas (@peterrojas) May 11, 2016

Apparently, the Android VR platform will officially make its debut at I/O, alongside the reveal of both a stalone VR headset a smartphone-driven one. Note that this particular virtual reality platform is not oject Tango, which uses motion tracking advanced cameras to deliver augmented reality. ’ll also hear more on the oject Tango smartphone that novo are launching this summer (though rumors point to novo leading the fanfare on that one).

Unlikely, but awesome: will give everyone in attendance a pair of virtual-reality headsets to take home.

Change of venue

Daily Republic

at we already know: has always hosted I/O’s 5,000 attendees at the Moscone Convention Center in downtown San Francisco. But this year, chose to host the developer’s conference at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View—about 42 miles away.

at could reveal: Moving I/O to the much larger Shoreline Amphitheater may simply be a matter of practicality, especially if big, showy product demos are in store. At Shoreline, there would be ample space for Android Auto demos, real-time VR demos, , yes, the aforementioned self-driving car demos. Indeed, since the self-driving fleet is likely somewhat tethered to Mountain View, may be motivated to keep the cars local instead of hauling them up to San Francisco.

But this may also be less less about expansive outdoor demos, more about increasing attendance. Shoreline is a much bigger space than Moscone, so expect a bigger conference with more attendees. also have to imagine that I/O will become phabet I/O, especially if Shoreline becomes a permanent venue. And who wouldn’t want a glimpse at what the company is making behind the scenes in its secret laboratories. 

Unlikely, but awesome: turns I/O into its own Coachella knockoff. can’t wait for next year’s developer’s conference: Devchella!

ay Awards

at we already know: Developers are the linchpin of the entire Android story, so is honoring its developer community with the first annual ay Awards. The awards pit five different app makers against each other in 10 different categories. There’s even an award for the Best App. will reveal the winners at a special awards ceremony on the evening of May 19.

at could reveal: st as winning a Game Developers Choice Award has become a coveted prize for game developers attending GDC, the ay Awards will become the prize that regular-old app developers hope to win. Suddenly, you have more than just an app—you have a category stard. The ay Awards will help raise the bar for all the apps that appear in the ay Store, as well as show developers that those who follow stards will have a better chance at success.

Unlikely, but awesome:  enlists a few celebrities to pass out the awards. So who’s the appiest celeb? t’s not forget that Kim Kardashian, Katy rry even Tom Hanks all have their own Android apps.

Stay tuned for all of our comprehensive coverage of the annual developer’s conference from May 18 to 20. ’ll be at the Shoreline covering everything from the opening day keynote to smaller demos.