In a few weeks, Google’s annual developer convention will kick off on Might 20. The occasion might be an important on the corporate’s calendar, providing a glimpse at every part it has been engaged on over the previous yr.
Judging from rumors and knowledge Google has trickled out, I/O 2025 needs to be one of many extra thrilling tech keynotes in current reminiscence. Plus, this yr Google has a devoted Android showcase deliberate an entire week earlier. If you wish to know what to anticipate from the corporate later this month, learn on.
Android 16
In years previous, a few of my favourite I/O moments concerned watching Dave Burke take to the Shoreline stage to speak in regards to the newest updates for Android. However for the previous couple of years, Android hasn’t had a lot of a highlight at Google’s annual developer convention. That is about to vary, with the corporate internet hosting a devoted showcase that may air every week earlier than I/O correct. Scheduled for Might 13, Google says it has “so many issues to share” through the Android Present: I/O Version.
The presentation will function Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat, who took over for Burke in 2024. As for what to anticipate from Samat and firm, a preview of Android 16 is an apparent guess. Google has already confirmed the brand new working system will arrive someday earlier than the second half of the yr. As such, it could even launch a secure construct of Android 16 that very same day. One function Google might announce for Android 16 is Dwell Actions-like “Ongoing notifications“. Per Android Authority, Google might additionally add a extra sturdy picture picker, with assist for cloud storage options.
We have additionally seen a lot of hints at an upcoming design change to the platform, reportedly known as Materials 3 Expressive. Probably the most damning (or credible) indication that that is actual is the current self-leak by Google, which was caught by 9to5Google and stays archived and visual on the Wayback Machine. This leaked weblog publish discusses the analysis behind Materials 3 Expressive and the way the visible overhaul led to motion parts standing out extra and better responsiveness on the customers’ half. In keeping with the publish, “When individuals had been requested to “Ship the e-mail” within the app, their eyes noticed the button 4x sooner within the expressive design.”
Android XR
Keep in mind Google Glass? No, how about Daydream? Possibly Cardboard? After sending (not less than) three XR tasks to the graveyard, you’ll assume even Google would say sufficient is sufficient. As a substitute, the corporate is getting ready to launch Android XR after previewing the platform on the finish of final yr. This time round, the corporate says the facility of its Gemini AI fashions will make issues totally different. We all know Google is working with Samsung on a headset codenamed Challenge Moohan. Final fall, Samsung hinted that the system might arrive someday this yr.
Whether or not Google and Samsung demo Challenge Moohan at I/O, I think about the search big may have extra to say about Android XR and the ecosystem companions it has labored to carry to its aspect for the initiative.
AI, AI and extra AI
If Google felt the necessity to break up off Android into its personal showcase, we’re prone to get extra AI-related bulletins at I/O than ever earlier than. The corporate hasn’t offered many hints about what we are able to count on on that entrance, but when I needed to guess, options like AI Overviews and AI Mode are prone to get substantive updates. I think Google may even have one thing to say about Challenge Mariner, the web-surfing agent it demoed at I/O 2024. Both method, Google is an AI firm now, and each I/O shifting ahead will mirror that.
Challenge Astra
Talking of AI, Challenge Astra was one of many extra spectacular demos Google confirmed off at I/O 2024. The know-how made the a lot of the newest multi-modal capabilities of Google’s Gemini fashions to supply one thing we hadn’t seen earlier than from the corporate. It is a voice assistant with superior picture recognition options that enables it to converse in regards to the issues it sees. Google envisions Challenge Astra in the future offering a really helpful synthetic assistant.
Nonetheless, after seeing an in-person demo of Astra, the Engadget crew felt the tech wanted much more work. Given the splash Challenge Astra made final yr, there is a good likelihood we might get an replace on it at I/O 2025.
Put on OS
Final yr, Put on OS did not get a point out through the firm’s fundamental keynote, however Google did preview Put on OS 5 through the developer periods that adopted. The corporate solely started rolling out Put on OS 5.1 to Pixel units in March. On condition that, you may count on Google would not have a lot new to share, however the official Put on OS X account instructed followers to look at the Android Present for updates.
NotebookLM
Since 2023, Google has supplied NotebookLM on desktop. The note-taking app makes use of machine studying for options like automated summaries. Based mostly on App Retailer and Google Play listings, the corporate is on the brink of launch a cellular model of the service on the primary day of I/O 2025.
Every little thing else
Google has a horrible monitor document in relation to stopping leaks inside its inside ranks, so the chance the corporate might shock us is low. Nonetheless, Google might announce one thing we do not count on. As at all times, your greatest guess is to go to Engadget on Might 20 and 21. We’ll have all the newest from Google then together with our liveblog and evaluation.
Replace, Might 5 2025, 7:08PM ET: This story has been up to date to incorporate particulars on a leaked weblog publish discussing “Materials 3 Expressive.”
