At Google’s virtual Android Show: I/O Edition event on Tuesday, the tech giant announced a series of upcoming updates and features, including improved Gemini Intelligence features, new hardware called Googlebooks, and other improvements to Android such as vibe-coded widgets, Gemini in Chrome, and new emojis.
These features are being announced ahead of Google’s annual developer conference this month, which, like last year, focused primarily on AI.
Below, we’ve compiled all of Google’s announcements here.
Google books
Google has announced Googlebooks, a new line of laptops built with Gemini at its core. The tech giant is working with partners including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo to develop the first Googlebook in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The Googlebook, which will be available this fall, is the first laptop designed from the ground up for Gemini Intelligence to provide personal and proactive support, the company said.
These laptops will come with features such as the Magic Pointer, a new type of cursor with Gemini built in, compatibility with Android phones that allows users to use apps from their phones directly from Googlebook, the ability to create custom widgets, and more.
Google has announced a new “Create My Widget” feature that allows users to vibe-code their own custom widgets. The new feature will first be introduced on the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel smartphones this summer.
Users will be able to create widgets by describing what they need using natural language. For example, you can ask the feature to “suggest three high-protein meal prep recipes each week” to get a custom dashboard that you can add to your home screen and resize.
Android Auto updates
Android Auto has been updated with enhanced dashboard personalization, widgets, and edge-to-edge experiences that fit any screen, including ultra-wide, circular, and unique shapes. Users can add widgets to see what’s most important at a glance, even when using navigation.
Media apps like YouTube Music and Spotify have also had their interfaces redesigned to make them easier to use in the car.
Additionally, for the first time on Android Auto, later this year you’ll be able to watch videos from apps like YouTube in 60 fps Full HD in supported vehicles including BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Skoda, Tata, Volvo and more.
Google says Gemini is currently widely deployed on Android Auto and allows drivers to ask questions, brainstorm ideas, and learn about topics hands-free while on the road. The company also said that starting with DoorDash, users will be able to order food from their cars.
3D emoji
Google has announced that all 4,000 Android emojis have been improved to be more faithful to the actual emojis. The new emojis, which will be released later this year, are designed to feel less flat and more expressive and real.
Features for creators
Android launches a “Screen Reaction” feature that records you and your screen at the same time. This is a format commonly seen on TikTok and Instagram Reels. This feature will first arrive on Pixel devices this summer.
Google also partnered with Meta to bring the best features of Instagram to Android devices, including Ultra HDR, native stabilization, and night mode. Additionally, the company has optimized the capture-to-upload pipeline to ensure photos and videos stay sharp when posting.
The tech giant is introducing new tools to its Android-only Meta editing app, including “Smart Enhance” to enhance photos and “Sound Isolation” to enhance or remove sounds.
Gemini agent functionality
Gemini Intelligence allows your assistant to retrieve data from one app and perform multi-step functions across multiple apps. For example, you can take a photo of an event flyer and ask your assistant to find it on sites like Expedia.
With this feature, users can also display a grocery list on screen and ask the assistant to create a cart based on those items within the shopping app of their choice.
Gemini in Chrome
The company is bringing Gemini, previously released on iOS and desktop, to Android in Chrome, allowing users to summarize content and ask questions about what they see on web pages. Android users also get an experimental auto-browse feature that lets you navigate websites and complete tasks like booking tickets on your behalf.
Filling out the form
Gemini uses Personal Intelligence data to enable users to fill out complex forms on mobile through an opt-in feature.
dictation
Google has released a new feature to Gboard called Rambler that converts speech into cleaned text, similar to apps like Wispr Flow and Monologue. This feature removes filler words like “um” and “um”, understands the statement “Let’s meet at 3:00 pm…uh, let’s meet at 2:00 pm”, and posts “Let’s meet at 2:00 pm” as the final result.
Expanded AirDrop support
Last year, Google added a way to share photos and files with your iPhone on your Pixel phone by integrating Quick Share with AirDrop. The company announced this year that this feature will be available for Samsung, Oppo,
OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, Honor.
Additionally, if you don’t have a compatible device, you can now use Quick Share on any device to generate a QR code and share files to your iPhone through the cloud.
Additionally, Google said that users will soon be able to access Quick Share, which is available within apps like WhatsApp.
Transferring from iPhone to Android just got easier
Google is introducing a new iOS to Android transfer feature that lets you import passwords, photos, messages, favorite apps, contacts, eSIM, and home screen layouts from your iPhone to your new Android smartphone. The feature is expected to arrive on Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices this year.
Pause point
A new feature in Android lets you pause an app you’ve designated as one of your distractions when you start it. Before you scroll, play a game, or do anything else that wastes your time, you should take a 10-second break and face the other choices you can make instead. For example, launch the Google Play Books app and read a book. Optionally, you can also set a timer to block usage of the app before you get started in earnest.
Enhanced threat protection
Google is also expanding the anti-theft feature, which is turned on by default, to all Android users worldwide after an initial test in Brazil. This feature is enabled by default on all new Android 17 devices, as well as devices that are newly reset or upgraded to the latest OS.
When enabled, features like remote lock and theft detection lock are automatically enabled, and Google reduces the number of times a thief can guess your PIN or password. It also increases the wait time between failed attempts. Law enforcement will also be able to access a device’s IMEI from the lock screen on Android 12 and later, allowing them to quickly verify ownership if the device is stolen.
Additionally, in some markets, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, anti-theft functionality will be extended to devices running Android 10 or later.
Pixel users with the latest software and Advanced Protection Mode turned on now have access to Intrusion Logs, a security feature that can help you investigate suspected spyware attacks or device compromises.
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