Google I/O 2025 Preview: Anticipating Gemini AI, Android 16 Features, Android XR, and Beyond

In just a week, Google’s highly anticipated annual developer conference will start on May 20. This event is regarded as a cornerstone of the company’s calendar, providing a sneak peek into its innovations and developments over the past year.

According to rumors and information that Google has begun to share, I/O 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling tech presentations in recent memory. Excitingly, for the first time, Google has also organized a dedicated Android showcase that took place a week earlier on May 13. Attendees can catch up on all the announcements from the Android Show or follow our live updates to get a sense of the proceedings.

With the Android Show behind us, all eyes now turn to I/O, which is expected to focus heavily on advancements in artificial intelligence. We’ve compiled the most credible reports and leaks to give you a comprehensive overview of what to anticipate. While many of the Android-related announcements have been revealed, there’s still a chance Google may unveil additional details about its mobile platform next week.

If you’re interested in watching from home, our article on how to stream the Google I/O 2025 keynote will provide all the necessary details. We will also be liveblogging the event, so keep an eye on our site for real-time updates and breaking news.

Android 16 Updates

Some of the most memorable moments at past I/O events have been marked by Dave Burke stepping onto the Shoreline stage to discuss the latest developments in Android. However, in recent years, Android has not received as much attention during the annual conference. That is set to change, with the special showcase during this year’s Android Show: I/O Edition.

The presentation featured Sameer Samat, the President of the Android Ecosystem, who took on the role in 2024 following Burke. Samat and his team demonstrated the new Material 3 Expressive design, which confirmed some features that had been previously leaked, including the introduction of an “Ongoing notifications” bar. Notably, Material 3 Expressive is also making its way to Wear OS 6, and Google is broadening the capabilities of the Gemini AI by integrating it into its smartwatch platform, Android Auto, and Google TV. Android 16 will introduce new scam-detection features and an improved Find Hub, which is expected to support satellite connectivity later in the year.

Google has already indicated that the new operating system will be launched before the second half of the year. While a stable build of Android 16 wasn’t released during the show, Samat revealed that aspects of Android 16 will be available to Pixel devices as early as next month. Further details about Android XR were hinted at, with senior director for Android Product and UX Guemmy Kim stating that “we’ll share more on Android XR at I/O next week.”

This suggests that additional information is on the horizon, not just for Android XR. We didn’t receive confirmation on a report suggesting that Google might introduce a more comprehensive photo picker that supports cloud storage solutions. It’s possible this feature will still be included in Android 16 but wasn’t part of the 30-minute showcase presentation. Notably, Google has been rolling out new Android features quarterly rather than waiting for an annual release, so more updates to Android 16 could occur throughout the year.

Introducing Android XR

Remember Google Glass? What about Daydream? After discontinuing several XR projects, it may come as a surprise that Google is poised to roll out Android XR after previewing the platform late last year. This time, the company asserts that its Gemini AI models will lead to a distinct experience. Google is collaborating with Samsung on a headset codenamed Project Moohan, which Samsung hinted could debut this year.

Whether Google and Samsung choose to showcase Project Moohan at I/O remains uncertain, but it is anticipated that more information regarding Android XR and its ecosystem partners will be shared during the event. This aligns with Kim’s statement about unveiling more details on Android XR at I/O.

Artificial Intelligence Focus

The decision to host a separate Android showcase indicates that I/O will likely feature more AI-related announcements than ever before. Although Google has kept much of its AI advancements under wraps, speculation suggests that features like AI Overviews and AI Mode are set for significant updates. Additionally, there may be new information regarding Project Mariner, the web-surfing agent demonstrated at I/O 2024.

There’s no doubt that Google has firmly positioned itself as an AI company, and this theme will resonate at future I/O conferences.

Development of Project Astra

Continuing on the topic of AI, Project Astra was one of the standout demos showcased at I/O 2024. This technology harnessed the latest multi-modal capabilities of Google’s Gemini models, offering a glimpse of new possibilities the company had not previously explored. Astra functions as a voice assistant with advanced image recognition features, enabling it to engage in conversations about the visual information it perceives. Google envisions Project Astra evolving into a genuinely helpful artificial assistant.

However, the Engadget team felt that Astra still requires significant refinement following the in-person demo. Given the attention Project Astra garnered last year, it is highly plausible that we will receive an update on its progress during I/O 2025.

A New Competitor for Pinterest

According to reports from The Information, Google might unveil its own version of a Pinterest-like platform next week. The article suggests features that resemble those of Cosmos, a simplified Pinterest variant that allows users to save and organize content from the internet and share those saved pages with others.

Google’s offering is expected to deliver image search results aligned with user queries, allowing for organization into specific folders based on personal preferences. For instance, if someone is curating a lookbook inspired by Jennie from Blackpink, they could search for her outfits and save the ones they like in a folder titled “Lewks.”

The specifics about whether this feature will be integrated into Search or presented as a standalone application remain unclear, but I/O is expected to provide clarity on the matter.

Updates to Wear OS

Last year, Wear OS was notably absent from the main keynote, although Google previewed Wear OS 5 during the developer sessions that followed. With Wear OS 5.1 now available to Pixel devices since March, the spotlight is back on the smartwatch platform. The recent Android Show revealed that Wear OS 6 will be arriving, featuring Material 3 Expressive in its design. While it is uncertain if further details will be shared at I/O, attendees shouldn’t be surprised if this marks the extent of Wear OS’s coverage in this year’s announcements.

NotebookLM Launch

Since 2023, Google has provided NotebookLM as a desktop note-taking application employing machine learning to offer features like automated summaries. Based on information from App Store and Google Play listings, it appears that a mobile version of the app will debut on the first day of I/O 2025.

Final Thoughts on Additional Announcements

Google has historically struggled with internal leaks, which lowers the likelihood of major surprises. Nevertheless, there remains potential for unexpected announcements. To stay up-to-date, check back with us on May 20 and 21, where we will cover all the latest developments from Google along with live updates and analyses.

Expectations are high for I/O 2025, with much to look forward to across various platforms and innovations. Be part of the excitement as Google showcases its cutting-edge technologies and future directions.