Gemini everywhere, redesign and security: what was shown at The Android Show: I/O Edition
On the eve of the main Google I/O conference, the company held a separate event dedicated to Android - and for good reason. The platform that powers more than 3 billion devices has received regular updates: a redesign of the Material 3 Expressive interface, the first details of Android 16, deep integration of Gemini AI into the entire ecosystem (from watches to cars), and a new level of security.
What's new in Android?
Material 3 Expressive:
Google has completely (as always, of course) rethought the Android interface. Instead of minimalism, it is an emotional UX with brighter colours, flexible shapes, smooth animations, and improved navigation. According to the company, this is the "biggest redesign in years", confirmed by 46 UX studies with 18,000 participants.
Android 16:
The new version of the OS will feature:
- Live Updates - live notifications about deliveries or trips
- tactile feedback for interactions
- professional camera features (never before and now again): night mode, fine-tuning of colour and APV video format
- new security features: Advanced Protection, blocking functions in case of theft, advanced fraud detection.
Wear OS 6:
An update for smartwatches with a focus on the round display, smooth animations, emotional design and... 10% longer battery life.
Gemini is everywhere:
Google's AI is no longer just in your smartphone. It is already preparing to work in:
- Wear OS - for hands-free voice queries
- Android Auto - for finding chargers, message summaries, route recommendations
- Google TV - for age-related advice, YouTube help
- XR headsets - in partnership with Samsung
Security:
Android is strengthening its position as one of the most secure OSes (like, we have dozens of operating systems for smartphones, actually two, so this is a stone in Apple's garden). In focus:
- AI to detect fraud in messages and calls
- new Intrusion Logging feature for forensics
- Find Hub (gadget search is now all under one roof) with UWB and satellite support
- protection of banking applications during suspicious calls
RCS:
The new messaging system (an alternative to SMS) already processes more than a billion messages every day in the US, and Google is hinting that it's time for Apple to get involved. They promise group chats (we really don't need another duplication of all the chats).
What's the point of all this?
Google is shaping the vision of Android as an "intelligent, secure, and emotionally engaging" platform. It is becoming "more personal" through design, more convenient through Gemini, and more secure at all levels. In general, the traditional blah, blah, blah, as always. And while Android remains an open system, more and more key features (from Material 3 to Advanced Protection) are coming to Pixel first - meaning Google is "committed to a quality" (what the hell does that mean in this context?) managed ecosystem.
Google I/O promises to continue this conversation - but it's already clear: Android 2025 will be much smarter, more beautiful, and harder to hack. That is, just like it was before.
Source: Google Blog
