It's time for Google fans around the world to gather at the annual I/O developer conference, a place where new information on Android and Chrome OS is shared and sometimes even hardware announcements are seen.

After canceling last year's conference, Google will continue to adhere to the COVID-19 safety guidelines for the 2021 edition of Google I/O. The developer conference will be held virtually from May 18-20 and is free to all. The countdown to next month's Google I/O begins. Here is what we know so far for Google I/O 2021.

The star of the show will probably be Android 12, where Google will preview new features, APIs, beta versions, and everything else that will excite Android developers. Most Android fans will focus on the keynote that kicks off the conference.

As for what we know about Android 12, we've touched a bit of the two Developer Previews that Google has released for Pixels. Besides having a lot under the hood in terms of improvements and additions, the biggest change is the new notification UI.

Installing the Android 12 Developer Preview gives you a taste of what is to come. This beta software includes new animations and transitions for the notification shade, which looks pretty nice.

Rumor has it that Android 12 may include the theme system that Android fans have long wanted. Basically, it will allow users to apply preset color palettes throughout the system. In addition, if supported by app developers, this color scheme could be applied to other apps as well.

Other major changes in Android 12 include a one-handed-only mode built into the OS itself (which other phone manufacturers have implemented on their own), face-based auto-rotation, more responsive notifications, and the possible return of double-tapping on the back of the phone.

So far, there is no doubt that the Pixel 5a will arrive this spring. Several leaks, including renders, have emerged in recent months surrounding a new budget phone that will replicate its predecessor, the Pixel 4a.

We expect the Pixel 5a to continue the 4a's legacy by offering the best camera experience for under $400 The Pixel 5a will have the cleanest Android experience, the no-frills Pixel that Google loves Experience will be on board.

We're not certain which system-on-chip the Pixel 5a will use, but we imagine either the Snapdragon 732 or last year's Snapdragon 690, which offered a low-cost 5G modem. It's thanks to that, and it's hard to imagine Google wanting to break something that worked so well.

This is a recent development, but we expect something to be announced about Google's new Pixel Buds A wireless earbuds. These were accidentally leaked by Google itself in a striking dark green coloring.

We're not sure about the timeline for these earbuds, but we think Google I/O would be the perfect time for the company to announce a new product, and it makes sense to announce them alongside the Pixel 5a, since the Pixel 5a is the first time the company has announced a new earphone in the past.

We expect the "A" name to mean that these new Pixel Buds will be cheaper than the previous model while still offering attractive features.

At this point, we do not know what Google will reveal about its plans for Chrome OS. Too many things have been announced at previous I/O conferences, including Android apps running on Chrome and integration with Linux, to name them all. I expect to see a lot of Chrome OS/Chromebook news this year, especially since there was no I/O last year.

There was no Google I/O in 2020 because of the early COVID-19 craze. But don't be surprised if Google reveals the Pixel 5a and Pixel Buds A.

But don't be surprised if Google reveals the Pixel 5a and Pixel Buds A.

But don't be surprised if Google reveals the Pixel 5a and Pixel Buds A. Given that we think the new budget phone will be available in June, expect Google to talk about it at I/O.

So mark your calendars for May 18-20.