In just two weeks, on May 20, Google's annual developer conference, I/O 2025, is set to commence, marking one of the most significant events on the company's calendar. This highly anticipated gathering offers a unique opportunity to glimpse the innovations and projects Google has been diligently working on over the past year. Judging by the latest rumors and information released by Google, this year's I/O promises to be one of the most exciting technology keynotes in recent memory. Notably, for the first time, Google has scheduled a dedicated Android showcase a week earlier, creating even more buzz around the conference.
On May 13, a week prior to I/O 2025, Google will host the Android Show: I/O Edition, which is expected to highlight significant developments in the Android ecosystem. The presentation will feature Sameer Samat, the Android Ecosystem President, who succeeded Dave Burke in 2024. This showcase is particularly exciting as it is anticipated to reveal a preview of Android 16, the next iteration of Google's mobile operating system, which is scheduled to launch before the second half of the year. It’s possible that Google will unveil a stable version of Android 16 during the event.
Among the features expected to be announced for Android 16 are Live Activities-like ongoing notifications and an enhanced photo picker that integrates support for various cloud storage solutions. Additionally, there are strong indications of a design overhaul dubbed Material 3 Expressive, which aims to improve user interaction through a more visually appealing interface. A recent leak from Google, substantiated by 9to5Google, discusses the research behind this new design, highlighting how it enhances user responsiveness significantly.
Developers have already been testing the beta version of Android 16, now in its fourth iteration. One of the exciting features revealed in March includes Auracast support, designed to facilitate seamless switching between multiple Bluetooth devices, potentially allowing users to stream audio directly to hearing aids paired with their smartphones or tablets.
Remember the buzz surrounding Google Glass or Daydream? After multiple XR projects that didn’t quite take off, Google is launching Android XR, a new platform previewed late last year. This time, the tech giant promises that the power of its Gemini AI models will usher in a new era for XR applications. Collaborating with Samsung, Google is reportedly developing a headset known as Project Moohan, with hints of a release later this year. While it's uncertain if this device will be showcased at I/O, it's clear that Google plans to delve deeper into the Android XR ecosystem and partnerships.
Given the significance of the upcoming Android showcase, it’s likely that I/O 2025 will feature more AI-related announcements than ever before. Although Google has kept many details under wraps, we can anticipate updates on features like AI Overviews and AI Mode. Additionally, we may hear more about Project Mariner, a web-surfing AI agent that was previously demoed at I/O 2024. As an AI-focused company, Google is set to emphasize its advancements in this area at every I/O event moving forward.
Project Astra, which showcased impressive multi-modal capabilities at I/O 2024, is expected to receive further updates at this year’s conference. This innovative voice assistant, featuring advanced image recognition, aims to enhance user interactions significantly. However, feedback from Engadget indicated that the technology still requires refinement, leaving room for improvement before its widespread acceptance.
Regarding Wear OS, last year’s conference saw a lack of focus on this platform, yet Google previewed Wear OS 5 during subsequent developer sessions. With the rollout of Wear OS 5.1 to Pixel devices recently, there may still be more news to share, particularly with the official Wear OS X account encouraging fans to tune into the Android Show for updates.
Since its launch in 2023, Google’s NotebookLM has been available on desktop, utilizing machine learning for features like automated summaries. Based on recent app store listings, a mobile version of NotebookLM is anticipated to debut on the first day of I/O 2025. Despite Google's history of leaks, there’s always the possibility of unexpected announcements during the conference.
For the latest updates from Google I/O 2025, be sure to visit Engadget on May 20 and 21, where we will provide live coverage, analysis, and insights from the conference floor.
Update: As of May 5, 2025, this article has been updated to include details about a leaked blog post discussing Material 3 Expressive.
