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Google did something a bit different this year. Instead of talking about Android during the I/O developer conference, which kicks off on May 20th, it hosted an extra show a week early dedicated to its mobile software.
The big announcement was the official reveal of Material 3 Expressive, the bouncy, colorful user interface that leaked recently, and which will be rolling out to both Android and Wear OS. Speaking of smartwatches, they’ll be getting Gemini support, as will TVs, cars, and XR headsets.
There was even a bit of love for the Find My Device network, which got a rebrand to Find Hub and some long overdue support for UWB, and a surprise appearance from a familiar face.
Google Find Hub is turning bounty hunter.
Alongside a shiny rebrand and airline integration, Google is expanding the range of trackers in its Find Hub network. But not with boring practicalities like better battery or more accurate tracking — no, we get Baby Yoda, thanks to a new set of Disney-themed tags from Pixbee.
Screenshot: Google / Dominic Preston
XR at I/O.
Android XR didn’t get a lot of screen time at today’s Android Show — apart from confirmation that it’s going to get Gemini AI support — but Google promises that there’s more to come at the full Google I/O event next week.
Android president Sameer Samat even broke out the company’s prototype XR shades to promise some “really cool Android demos” to come. And as you can see, this is a man who knows what’s cool.
Screenshot: Google / Dominic Preston
It’s Dieter!
[Insert Leonardo DiCaprio pointing meme here!!!]
Google adds tracker sharing with airlines.
You’ll be able to share the location of trackers in its Find Hub network (formerly Find My Device) with airline staff when you need to find lost luggage, just like you already can with Apple’s AirTags. Support won’t arrive until “early next year” though, and only on five airlines — while Apple supports over 15.
Google adds UWB support to its rebranded Find Hub tracker app
A year after launching its Find My Device location tracking network, Google is adding support for ultra wideband (UWB) for more precise tracking using compatible phones and trackers. The network and its Android app are also getting a new name: Find Hub.
Google says that UWB will be enabled “later this month.” UWB provides more accurate tracking at close range than Bluetooth, reporting both distance and direction so you can find a missing tracker quicker once you’re in the vicinity. Apple’s AirTag has supported the tech since its launch in 2021, as have Samsung’s SmartTags. Tile’s is now the only major tracker network to lack a UWB option, since the UWB-enabled Tile Ultra it first announced way back in 2021 never actually launched.
The iOS effect.
Google is celebrating another RCS milestone, and this one’s a doozy: one billion messages sent in the US every day. Considering RCS had just reached one billion total monthly users at the end of 2023, it’s a big jump. That’s no doubt thanks to Apple turning on RCS support in iOS 18 and making it the default protocol when you’re not on iMessage. Sure doesn’t hurt!
Google’s splashy new Android UI is coming in beta this month.
Announced during today’s pre-I/O event, it’s called Material 3 Expressive. It adds more customization options and lots of colors and animations. It’ll drop as part of the Android 16 beta, which will also support Live Updates.
Android launches new protections against phone call scammers
Google is rolling out several new features to protect Android users from falling victim to phone call scams. Now, Android will automatically block users from sideloading an app for the first time from a web browser, messaging app, or other service while on a call with an unknown contact.
Google will also stop users from giving an app accessibility permissions while talking on the phone, helping to prevent a potentially dangerous app from gaining control of their device and stealing personal information. If you try to adjust these settings during a call, Google will display a message saying: “This setting is blocked to protect your device.” It also warns users that “scammers may try to take control of your device by asking you to allow accessibility access for an app.”
Wear OS 6 puts Google Gemini on your wrist
After a few years of iterative updates, Wear OS 6 is shaping up to be a significant leap forward. For starters, Gemini will replace Google Assistant on the wrist alongside a big Material 3 Expressive redesign that takes advantage of circular watch faces. Oh, and for the third year running, the latest Wear OS will also come with some battery life improvements.
“Over the past couple of years, we really completely reimagined Android with Gemini right at the center, and now we’re expanding Gemini beyond the phone,” says Jaime Williams, Wear OS’ product manager.
Gemini is coming to TVs and cars, eventually
Image: The Verge
Google is bringing its Gemini AI assistant to devices with Google TV, cars with Android Auto and Google built-in, Wear OS smartwatches, and Android XR. But Google isn’t saying exactly when the AI assistant will come to those devices — right now, the company is giving more general timelines about when it might arrive.
On Google TV products, “you can ask for action movies that are age-appropriate for your kids, and get the best recommendations,” according to a blog post from Guemmy Kim, a senior director of product and user experience on Android. In an example, the company shows how you can ask something like “can you explain the solar system to my first grader,” and Google TV pulls up a short explanation, offers a button to press to learn more, and recommends YouTube videos about the solar system designed for kids. Gemini is coming to Google TV “later this year.”
Android’s youthful new design language just dropped
Google just announced a bold new look for Android, for real this time. After a false start last week when someone accidentally published a blog post too early (oh, Google!), the company is formally announcing the design language known as Material Three Expressive. It takes the colorful, customizable Material You introduced with Android 12 in an even more youthful direction, full of springy animations, bold fonts, and vibrant color absolutely everywhere. It’ll be available in an update to the Android 16 beta later this month.
Support for the Live Updates feature that Google introduced in an earlier Android 16 beta is nestled among the new design flourishes. It’s Android’s take on Apple’s Live Activities, showing time-sensitive updates in a persistent notification bar. Unlike Apple, Android limits its use to food delivery, navigation, and rideshare apps.
Cranking up the “coolness” factor.
We’re expecting to see Google’s colorful new design language as part of the Android pre-I/O show. New colors are fun! Fun is good! But I’m not sure Google can show us something “cool” enough to win the hearts of iPhone-loving teenagers.
Watch Google’s Android Show: I/O Edition at 1PM ET
There’s still a week to go until Google I/O 2025 starts in earnest, but some of the developer conference’s biggest announcements are likely to arrive today in a one-off livestream called The Android Show: I/O Edition.
The Android Show takes place today, Tuesday, May 13th, at 10AM PT / 1PM ET. You can watch it live on the Android site or its YouTube channel, and we’ve embedded the livestream at the top of this page too.
Google announces the dates for I/O 2025
Google’s next I/O developer conference will take place on May 20th and May 21st, the company announced today. The event will be “open to everyone online” and will include “livestreamed keynotes and sessions,” according to an FAQ. Like past years, there will also be an in-person component at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.
The news comes after Google launched a fun puzzle game to help reveal the date of the event. (The company loves to release puzzles ahead of announcing its I/O dates.) This year’s show will run in the middle of Microsoft’s Build conference, which takes place from May 19th through May 22nd.
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