Google hosted its first-ever Android Show ahead of its I/O 2025 event. The company showcased its upcoming advancements in Android and Gemini. We also got to see a glimpse of Android 16, which will get new animations, support for live notifications, and better safety features. Gemini will also soon be made available on WearOS smartwatches, Google TV, and many other products. Let’s have a look at all the details announced by the maker of Android.
Google Android Show: What To Expect From Android 16?
One of the most significant additions in Android 16 will be live update highlights (live notifications), and it looks like Google has pulled a page from Apple’s book as a positive change. While some Android OEMs have already implemented this feature in their custom skins, Android is finally including this natively. You will be able to track your food delivery orders, ongoing activities, calls, etc., with a quick glance, without having to open the respective app.
The Android 16 update for Pixel devices will be called Material 3 Expressive. It will have fresh animations with a natural feel, combining form and function. It will also get a redesigned quick settings panel with improved customisation options, allowing users to adjust the settings according to their preferences.
Another highlight of Android 16 is the new Gemini Live feature. You can ask the chatbot to analyse and explain any content on your screen. For example, when you receive a long email or a text, you can simply ask Gemini to summarise it by launching it directly, instead of having to copy and paste the content separately.
Gemini Live will also have camera support, meaning that you can use your phone’s camera to ask the chatbot to explain any object. It’s like integrating Gemini’s conversation-based responses in Google Lens.
The best part about these features is that they will be free! You don’t need to get a Gemini subscription to access these powerful AI features on your Android 16 device. It would have been better if Google had shared more visuals, but it looks like we will have to wait for I/O 2025 for more details.
WearOS 6 with Gemini Support
Google is bringing its Gemini AI powers to WearOS 6. You can access all Gemini features, such as voice chat, analysing on-screen content, and almost everything else supported by the chatbot. This is the first instance of a top-level AI integration on a smartwatch OS.
WearOS 6 will also get newer animations, complementing the visuals in Android 16. Google says that this is not just a creative change, but will also improve the battery life of WearOS watches by up to 10%. This is made possible by advanced performance optimisation.
Gemini is now the Backbone of Android
Google is going all-in with its Gemini integration as it will introduce Gemini support on Android Auto, Google TV, Android XR, and many other devices. In simple words, you will be able to use all of your regular Gemini AI features on your Android Auto car and Google TV. From asking it to explain a topic, to using Gemini to respond to your messages using voice commands, these functions will soon be supported on almost every device that runs a Google-powered OS.
Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem, also hinted that Gemini could soon come to AR glasses. While not confirmed, the Ray-Ban Meta glasses might use it. At the end of the Android Show, he wore a pair of AR glasses and said that Gemini is coming to more devices soon.
Find My Device is Now ‘Find Hub’
Google has rebranded the Find My Device network to Find Hub. The core functionality of the service will remain the same, where you can track your smartphones, object trackers, and other products in a single place. The new platform will offer a better design and make it easier to identify individual gadgets using the Find My Device Network.
Google is also partnering with airlines and other companies to expand its network. This means that even if your device or tracker is in a place with no Android phone in the vicinity, you can still trace it in specific public places.
The Google I/O 2025 is scheduled for May 20 – May 21. We can expect the company to unveil more details on Android 16 and other major advancements in Gemini AI, and possibly Pixel devices.
