The keynote at the Google I/O developer conference had something for everyone, unless you're interested in hardware

Google detailed a revamped Android 12 interface, new features in Wear OS, and updates to everything from Maps to Google Docs, but not a single new hardware product was introduced at I/O And if you're hungry for news about the upcoming Google Pixel 5a or the rumored Pixel Buds A-Series, it stings a bit

In a way, the lack of hardware news should have been expected: while Google I/O gets global attention, it is still a developer-centric conference, and developers want to hear about software, especially software enhancements that affect their products Therefore, more about Android 12's interface changes and what they mean for apps, and less about which processors will power the Pixel 5a

Then again, Google has spoiled us with its recent I/O When Google last held a developer get-together in 2019, it announced both the Pixel 3a and the Nest Hub Max Some observers thought Google might talk hardware again this time, even if it was to address rumors that the company would produce its own chips for the Pixel 6 release this fall But alas, that did not happen [If Google doesn't announce any hardware news at Google I/O 2021, and it would be really strange to announce anything now, the Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel Buds Series A, all three of which could have appeared this week We can't say for sure, but we can make some guesses

First, don't panic about the lack of hardware announcements at I/O this year Google had nothing that it chose to show off at this year's show, but that doesn't mean there was nothing to show off; the Android 12 code apparently mentions the Pixel 6 and Pixel 5a, as well as the Pixel Fold - And the Pixel Fold, too So we can assume that these phones are still part of Google's plans Likewise, we have heard so many rumors about the Pixel Buds Series A at this point that they are likely not the product of over-animation by some rumor-mongers

The Pixel 6 release date is the easiest Google tends to release its flagship models in early October, and barring delays due to chip shortages, this year's model will likely follow that pattern Google may intend to use its own chips to power the Pixel 6, and even if there is no notice to developers during the I/O period, that plan could still go forward

The Pixel 5a launch is a bit trickier One rumor has suggested that the cheaper version of Google's phone could launch on June 11 - it's a Friday, so we assume that would be the phone's ship date But that doesn't leave much time for Google to hold another launch event, especially when it was just grabbing everyone's attention for the Google I/O keynote And given that the rumored June 11 date is the same time as Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference, one would think that the Pixel 5a news might get lost in the shuffle In other words, we would look elsewhere for a possible release date

Google may have given a pretty good indication as to when the Pixel 5a might arrive when it denied rumors earlier this year that the Pixel 5a would be canceled Google said that the Pixel 5a "will be available in the US and Japan later this year, coinciding with the launch of the a-series phones last year"

Assuming that Google is referring to the Pixel 4a, that phone would have debuted in mid-August of last year That would give Google enough time to launch the phone ahead of the iPhone 13 event scheduled for September, without affecting the Pixel 6 rollout later in the fall Alternatively, Google could combine the two phone launches into one and merge the Pixel 5a and Pixel 6 on stage (However, we feel that having different version numbers would be a bit confusing to consumers, so we favor the August theory )

As for the Pixel Buds A series, the launch of these low-cost earbuds is presumably related to the arrival of the Pixel 5a The clue may be in the name Google appears to be naming the A Series after a lower-priced product that offers some of the features of its more expensive products In other words, Google is expected to market both the phone and the wireless earbuds at the same time

Of course, Google could surprise us all and pull an entirely different date out of the hat for an upcoming product announcement They will not, after all, continue to call them "uncertain times" for no good reason