Android Show: I/O Edition steals the spotlight ahead of Google’s annual developer conference

Google just pulled off a bold move. A full week ahead of its annual I/O developer conference, the company kicked off festivities with the first-ever Android Show: I/O Edition – a standalone event entirely devoted to Android. Held late on May 13 (IST), the show gave the world a clear message – Android isn’t playing second fiddle to AI anymore. It’s evolving in tandem.

From a complete design makeover with Material 3 Expressive in Android 16 to Gemini’s rollout across everything from watches to car dashboards to smart glasses, this event laid down Google’s Android vision for 2025 and beyond. Let’s unpack everything Google announced at the Android Show: I/O Edition.

Material 3 Expressive: Android gets its groove back

The star of the show was without question Material 3 Expressive, a sweeping redesign that marks the most significant visual update to Android in years. Think spring-loaded animations, bolder typography, and responsive interface components. Add to that dynamic colour theming that adapts to your wallpaper, app usage, and overall aesthetic. Interactions across Android 16 now feel tactile and animated.

Dismissing a notification, for instance, sends a ripple through the stack, punctuated by a satisfying haptic thump. Even routine gestures like swiping down the quick shade, toggling volume, and switching apps now come with a smoother, more “alive” feel.

ALSO READ: Google’s leaked M3 Expressive design is a bold break from boring, and it might just work

This design overhaul isn’t limited to phones. Wear OS 6 is adopting the same design language, optimised for circular watch faces with adaptive buttons and responsive tiles that stretch and shift to make better use of limited screen space.

The updated dynamic colour theming now syncs your watch UI with your watch face palette, creating a cohesive, polished visual experience. And despite all this added flair, Google promises better performance and battery life on WearOS 6 devices – up to 10 per cent longer usage on supported smartwatches.

Live Updates and customisations on Android 16

While we didn’t get an entire rundown on all of Android 16’s features, we got some sneak peaks. Beyond the aesthetics, Android 16 focuses on practical, thoughtful enhancements to everyday usability. Quick Settings has been redesigned to allow users to pin more of their go-to toggles like Flashlight, Airplane Mode, or Do Not Disturb.

One of the most useful new features is Live Updates, a real-time notification strip that surfaces critical status updates like delivery ETAs, rideshare progress, or navigation cues, so users never have to dig through cluttered notifications again.

Android 16 will roll out first to Pixel phones later this year, with other partner devices, including those from Samsung, following shortly after.

Gemini expands: From your phone to everywhere else

Google is no longer treating Gemini as just a chatbot or an app. It’s fast becoming the connective tissue of the entire Android ecosystem. On Wear OS, Gemini is set to replace Google Assistant, enabling you to issue quick reminders during a workout, pull up restaurant info, or interact with what’s on your screen using natural voice commands.

In the car, Gemini takes over voice duties on Android Auto and Google built-in dashboards, helping you navigate to EV chargers near scenic parks, summarise chaotic group chats, or even pull up that address buried in an old email.

ALSO READ: How to edit images using Google Gemini

Back at home, Gemini on Google TV will offer curated suggestions, answer trivia, and pull up explainer content from YouTube. And later this year, Android XR – Google’s mixed-reality platform co-developed with Samsung – will also feature Gemini, enabling immersive trip planning and real-world exploration in a 3D interface. It’s even coming to audio wearables, starting with select models from Sony and Samsung.

Everything else announced at the Android Show: I/O Edition

Security and privacy upgrades were another major focus in Android 16, with Google introducing smarter defaults and more user-centric protections.

Scam Detection in Google Messages has been improved significantly, now using on-device AI to detect and block a broader range of fraudulent messages. These protections operate entirely on-device, safeguarding user data while keeping threats at bay.

ALSO READ: How to enable AI scam detection on your Android smartphone

Another notable addition is the all-new Find Hub, which consolidates all location-sharing, tracking, and Find My Device functionality into a single, intuitive dashboard. Whether you’re locating your phone, checking if your child got home safely, or sharing your Bluetooth tag’s location with an airline, Find Hub centralises everything with more control and better visibility.

Google is also partnering with airlines like British Airways and Singapore Airlines to help streamline lost luggage recovery by integrating tag data directly into their systems. Luggage brands like Mokobara will also have Find Hub built-in for easy luggage locating. Later this year, satellite connectivity will be added, enabling location sharing even in areas with no cellular service.

ALSO READ: 4 ways you can use the updated Find My Device on Android

This year’s Android Show made one thing clear: the Android ecosystem is no longer just about phones, it’s about continuity, context, and control across all your devices. What did you think of the Android Show: I/O Edition? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for more Google I/O news in the upcoming developer event next week.