In mid‑May, Google I/O 2025 will shift its spotlight squarely onto artificial intelligence, from deep dives into its latest Gemini models to fresh AI‑powered consumer features. While Android 16 won’t be the star of the main keynote, its revamped “Material 3 Expressive” design and new usability tweaks will roll out both in preview and in a dedicated Android Show the week prior. Wear OS 5.1 arrives under the radar with tighter integration into Android 15, and Google’s renewed push into AR/VR comes via Android XR—backed by its first Project Moohan headset. On the AI front, developers will get expanded access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, sneak peeks at Google’s universal assistant prototype “Project Astra,” and a mobile release of NotebookLM for on‑the‑go research.
Google I/O’s main address takes place on May 20, 2025 at 10 a.m. PT, livestreamed from Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheatre (New York 1 p.m., London 6 p.m., Mumbai 11:30 p.m.) (Google I/O). The event runs through May 21, featuring sessions on AI, developer tools, and platform updates.
Android 16 & Material 3 Expressive
Android’s next major update, Android 16, debuts a bolder “Material 3 Expressive” design that emphasizes vibrant colors, larger tappable areas, and animated icons to improve both aesthetics and usability. Google accidentally leaked these details in a blog post that was swiftly removed, revealing performance gains in interface comprehension and accessibility for all age groups.
The Android Show: I/O Edition
Rather than wait for the main conference, Google will host The Android Show: I/O Edition on May 13 at 10 a.m. PT, giving fans an early look at Android 16 features—Auracast Bluetooth improvements, summarized notifications, and Pixel‑exclusive enhancements—hosted by Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat (Android).
Wear OS 5.1 Sneak Peek
Under the radar, Wear OS 5.1 launched in March. Built atop Android 15, it introduces Credential Manager support for seamless password and passkey authentication, revamped media controls, and improved step tracking for Pixel Watch users. Expect further Wear OS news in I/O breakouts.
Android XR & Project Moohan
Google’s fourth attempt at immersive OSes, Android XR, is designed for AR/VR headsets and optimized with Gemini AI in mind. Samsung’s Project Moohan glasses, rumored to ship in 2025, will be the first consumer device on XR. Details on new hardware partners and developer tools will surface at I/O.
Generative AI & Gemini
Google will showcase Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview, now available to developers, with enhanced coding prowess for front‑end UI workflows and agentic automation tasks. Expect in‑depth sessions on performance benchmarks, real‑world integrations (e.g., in Workspace, Search, and mobile), and strategies for on‑device inference that underlie Google’s “AI‑first” roadmap.
Looking Ahead: Project Astra & NotebookLM Mobile
Beyond Gemini, Google’s Project Astra prototype envisions a universal AI assistant that understands context across devices, from phones to experimental glasses (Google DeepMind). Additionally, the NotebookLM research assistant is rolling out a standalone mobile app, enabling users to upload documents, ask follow‑up questions conversationally, and receive audio overviews on the go
Source: (Mashable)
