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Google has shown off a dramatic redesign of its Android software and a new low cost handset that will go on sale in emerging markets for under $100.

The announcements, made at Google's I/O developer conference in San Francisco, are also expected to include its previously teased 3D-mapping tablet Tango, its next range of Nexus tablets, and wearable devices

There are also rumours of a new TV box to take on Apple TV.

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Android's new look: Google's software has undergone 'the biggest redesign in its history' with a design the firm said is based on paper, which will be available later this year.

Sundar Pichai of Google said Android users have increased dramatically.

'We have over 1 billion users of Android, as we estimate there are 93m selfies taken each today,' he said.

'We are seeing amazing growth in Android tablets as well, Android tablets account for 62% of the overall market - and we don't include Kindles.

'In emerging markets, the majority of people don't have am smartphone.

'We want to change that with Android On,' said Pichai.

The low cost phone design will cost under $100.

Google also revealed L, the latest version of Android.

'We wanted to rethink the design,' said Pichai.

The new look is designed to look like paper.

'We wanted a design that was clear and simple, we imaged what if pixels had depth that could change shape in response to touch,' said Matias Duarte of Google.

'The human mind is wired to understand shapes and objects.

The new version will also allow users to use a smartwatch to identify themselves - so the phone will not ask for a password.

I/O (which stands for input/output and 'innovation in the open') is an annual developer-focused conference run by Google that reveals insights into the tech giant's research and development.

Previous conferences have seen significant new announcements such as Google Glass and the Nexus 7 tablet, as well as upgrades to existing services like Google Maps.

This year is expected to be no different - although there's no place this time around for Google+ at any of the talks over two days, according to the schedule.

The event will kick off with the keynote speech at 9am PDT (5pm BST) today and can be watched live on Google's I/O site.

It's widely expected that Google will announce the next version of its Android operating system, 5.0, on the first day, which will follow the current method of picking the name based on sweets and desserts.

Google's Sundar Pichai shows off android one, a new $100 handset

Each iteration takes the next letter in the alphabet.

Previous iterations were 'Jelly Bean' and 'KitKat', with this latest OS thought to be called 'Lollipop' - although rumour mills have been wrong before, with many thinking the last update would be 'Key Lime Pie'.

Other notable talks on the first day will revolve around wearable computing.

Google has already introduced the Android Wear platform but the full launch is expected at I/O 2014, with smartwatches from a variety of manufacturers including Samsung and HTC expected to be announced.

Pacific Crest analyst Evan Wilson believes Google, alongside unveiling a new version of its Android operating system, will put a 'heavy focus' on extensions for smartwatches and smart home devices.

'We think Google will directly counter Apple's recent announcements of health products (Apple HealthKit) and home automation (Apple HomeKit),' he said.

Anyone for lollipop? It's widely expected that Google will announce the next version of its Android operating system, 5.0, on the first day. Previous iterations were 'Jelly Bean' and 'KitKat', with this latest OS thought to be called 'Lollipop' - although rumour mills have been wrong before

Google has previously used the I/O developer conference to unveil new technologies such as Glass, pictured here worn by co-founder Sergey Brin. Google Glass recently launched in the UK and was developed by Google X - a facility devoted to technological advancements

Meanwhile, a talk on the second day reveals some other technologies to be announced: 'A 3D tablet, an Oscar, and a little cash. Tango, Spotlight, Ara. ATAP.'

'ATAP' here refers to Google's Advanced Technology and Projects lab.

The ATAP lab is behind the Tango tablet, which will be a device capable of mapping its environment in 3D.

Its goal is to use 3D scanning technology, akin to that in Microsoft's Kinect sensor, to create 3D maps of an environment.

This means that a person's phone or tablet, for instance, could produce highly detailed interior maps of buildings, rooms and houses.

And this could allow a device to provide directions inside a building, beyond just a street address.

Project Ara, meanwhile, is heralded as 'the only phone you'll ever need'.

Google's innovative Project Tango will be discussed in further detail at the conference. The technology uses 3D scanning sensors, similar to Microsoft's Kinect, to create whole maps of interior locations. It can be used by a device to automatically build a 3D map of anywhere the user is, allowing for far better indoor navigation

Project Ara, pictured, is Google's much-anticipated modular smartphone that could be available in January 2015 for as little as £30 ($50). Each component of the smartphone will be upgradeable including the camera and battery, making it the 'only smartphone you'll ever need'

Each component of the jigsaw-like Ara phones will be upgradaeable, from the camera to the battery.

The so-called modular smartphone is expected to go on sale in January 2015, and could retail for as little as £30 ($50).

I/O 2014 is also expected to be where Google unveils new products in its Nexus line of tablets.

The next Nexus 10 tablet, rumoured to have a resolution of 2560 x 1600, will compete with Apple's iPad Air and Amazon's Fire HDX.

The smaller, HTC-built Nexus 8 tablet will also be unveiled.

The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, suggests that Google is also planning to reveal its Android TV.

This set-top box, powered by Android, will let users control their TV with any Android device such as a smartphone or tablet, or perhaps even with Google Glass.

The second generation Nexus 7 (pictured), co-developed with Asus, was made available on 26 July 2013, with the Nexus 8 thought to be following this year. Here on 24 July 2013 Hugo Barra, director of Product Management at Android, holds a new Nexus 7 tablet during a Google event

And Google is also expected to reveal an in-car system known as Auto Link - a competitor to Apple's CarPlay.

Its exact purpose is unknown, however, with some suggesting it may just be a way to control Android devices via in-car buttons.

On the home front, Google's Nest Labs - which makes network-connected thermostats and smoke detectors - announced earlier this week that it has created a programme that allows outside developers, from tiny startups to large companies such as Whirlpool and Mercedes-Benz, to fashion software and 'new experiences' for its products.

Integration with Mercedes-Benz, for example, might mean that a car can notify a Nest thermostat when it is getting close to home, so the device can have the home's temperature adjusted to the driver's liking before he or she arrives.

And, finally, one of the last talks at the conference could also prove to be the most interesting.

'Robotics in a new world' could be a look at some of the artificially-intelligent devices Google is developing, including its smart driverless cars.