Today Google released the official companion app for the Google I/O conference, which starts next week and runs from June 27th to the 29th. The companion app is a directory for Google I/O talks and events.

The app includes an option to set a personal schedule, with reminders shortly before a conference. If you are running Android 3.0 Honeycomb or later, the app will install a homescreen widget with your schedule. If you are using Android 4.0 or later, the app can add events to your device’s calender. The session details can also be “beamed” between Android devices using Near Field Communication.

The app also allows for users to receive announcements from Google during the conference, view information about companies from the Developer Sandbox, and play back I/O Live video sessions. The app includes a stream for public conversations tagged #io2012 in Google+. There’s even a conference map included, in case you get lost.

I’m not sure if an Android-only approach is right for Google I/O. This year’s developer conference is also focused on Chrome, Chrome OS, cloud platforms, Google Wallet, Google Maps, Google+, YouTube, and Google TV, as well as panels from tech entrepreneurs. Do developers who write apps for the Chrome Web Store all use Android phones? If you are using and iPhone, Windows Phone, or a BlackBerry, you can still add sessions to your schedule from the conference’s webpage.

 

Download Google I/O 2012 for Android – FREE [Google Play Store Link]

Will you be watching Google’s I/O conference? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.