Circle May 20, 2025, on your calendar—Google’s I/O developer conference is back, and it’s shaping up to be a doozy. But wait, there’s more! Android’s stealing the spotlight a week early on May 13 with its own showcase. Here’s the scoop on what’s cooking.
Android 16: Not Your Average Update
Google’s playing coy with Android 16, dropping hints about “so many things to share.” Rumor has it, we’re looking at “Ongoing notifications” (because who doesn’t love more alerts?) and a photo picker that finally plays nice with cloud storage. And let’s talk design—Material 3 Expressive is giving the UI a much-needed glow-up. Oh, and for the devs in the room, the beta’s already whispering secrets about Auracast support. Bluetooth audio switching just got a whole lot smoother.
Android XR: Google’s Third Swing at the XR Piñata
Remember Glass? Daydream? Cardboard? Google’s had a few swings and misses in the XR space, but they’re back with Android XR, teaming up with Samsung on Project Moohan. This time, they’re throwing Gemini AI into the mix. Will it be the hit they’ve been waiting for? Only one way to find out.
AI: Google’s Golden Child
AI’s the name of the game at Google, and I/O 2025 is its playground. Expect AI Overviews and AI Mode to get some love, plus updates on Project Mariner. And keep an eye out for Project Astra—last year’s darling might just steal the show again.
Wear OS & NotebookLM: Small Packages, Big Surprises
Wear OS is getting a tune-up, and NotebookLM’s making the leap to mobile. Google’s proving it’s not just about thinking big—it’s about being everywhere at once.
Sure, leaks might spoil a surprise or two, but Google’s always got a trick up its sleeve. Stick around for live updates and deep dives as the event rolls out.
