Google I/O 2025: Android XR, AI and everything else we saw!

Google I/O is one of the most important events of the year for Android and Google at large. The event usually involves developer-related news and advancements, but we also get plenty of consumer-centric announcements. Here’s what the company announced at Google I/O 2025.

Google I/O 2025: Important information

• What is Google I/O? Google I/O is the search giant’s yearly developer conference. It’s where developers get updated on the latest technology to improve their apps and other services for the Google ecosystem. It’s also one of the main events for new Google announcements.
• When was Google I/O 2025? The 2025 event took place on May 20-21. However, Google also hosted a broadcast dedicated to Android on May 13.
• Where was Google I/O 2025 held? Google held I/O 2025 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. You can watch a replay online via the Google I/O website and Google’s YouTube channel.

What was announced at Google I/O 2025?

Google usually makes a variety of announcements at the event. This includes news related to AI, Android, Google TV, Wear OS, Android Auto, and more. Here’s what it revealed this time.

• Android 16
• Android XR
• All the AI features
• Google Beam
• Wear OS 6
• Android 16 for TV
• Android in the car
• What about Pixel hardware?

Android 16

Google hosted a pre-recorded broadcast on May 13 called The Android Show: I/O Edition. It used this stream to confirm various Android 16-related details. The most noteworthy reveal was that Android 16 would have the Material 3 Expressive design language. The company is also offering an iOS-style Live Updates feature and a Quick Settings revamp. Security is a major focus this time, too, with additions like Factory Reset Protection and Advanced Protection Mode.

What about a launch date, though? Google used the occasion to specifically confirm a June release date for the stable version of Android 16. Samsung also mentioned a summer release window for its phones.

As for I/O itself, the company launched the first Android 16 QPR1 beta on the day. This update brings an improved lock screen clock, more space for your apps/widgets, the ability to check your registered fingerprints, and a tweaked recents menu. Google also touched on Android 16’s desktop mode, noting that it was built on Dex’s foundation.

Android XR

Google already gave us a preview of the Android XR user interface and showed off Gemini’s ability to help you in the real world via its Project Astra tech. It then followed up with the first real-world look at prototype Android XR smart glasses in early April. So what did it show at I/O 2025?

The company gave us a closer look at Gemini integration, while confirming info about glasses from development partners. XREAL will be making the Project Aura smart glasses (seen above) for development purposes, while Samsung and Google are teaming up on a reference hardware platform. Samsung didn’t launch its Project Moohan headset here, but we’re expecting more info at the second Unpacked event of the year.

All the AI features

Hoping for a Google I/O without mention of AI features? Yeah, fat chance. The company announced a ton of AI-related features and additions.

• There’s now a Gemini AI Ultra plan, which costs a crazy $3,000 a year.
• You’ll need the AI Ultra or Pro plans if you want to use the Google Flow AI filmmaking tool. Flow uses Google’s new Veo 3 video generator, which can now generate audio to go with your videos.
• Google also launched its Imagen 4 image generator, which is supposed to offer better spelling and improved rendering of fur and water droplets.
• The company revealed Gemini 2.5 Pro Deep Think, which can supposedly consider multiple hypotheses and deliver excellent performance in coding and math tasks.
• Google broadly launched AI Mode in Search while revealing additional features like Deep Search, Project Astra capabilities, and the ability to automate some tasks.
• AI Mode also received a variety of shopping-related features, including an automatic checkout feature that buys items for you if they drop below a specified price.
• The Project Mariner feature, which lets Gemini automate some tasks for you in your web browser, can now perform more tasks simultaneously as well as more advanced tasks.
• Gmail has also received a rather nifty inbox cleanup feature that’s powered by Gemini.
• Staying with Gmail, it’s getting Gemini-powered calendar management features. This includes the ability to create, edit, and delete events.
• One more Gmail-related AI feature is more personalized smart replies. Gemini will match your tone and glean context from previous emails and Google Drive.
• Google Meet is getting near-real-time speech translation. However, you’ll need an AI Pro or Ultra plan to use this feature.
• The popular NotebookLM service is getting Video Overviews, as well as customizable lengths for Audio Overviews.
• You can turn yourself into an Android Bot by uploading your photo to the new Androidify app. You’ll need to compile the app yourself, though.
• Gemini can now create interactive quizzes on various subjects.
• Google also announced improvements to its Canvas and Jules tools (hey, that rhymes).
• Google used its Android Show event on May 13 to confirm that Gemini is coming to Wear OS, Android Auto/Google Built-in, and Google TV.

Google Beam for 3D video calls

Google announced Project Starline a few years ago. This initiative uses hardware and software to turn a conventional 2D video call into an immersive, glasses-free 3D experience. Now, Google has given it a name change. Say hello to Google Beam.

The company confirmed that it’s working with HP to launch the first Google Beam devices later this year. Google added that this will be available to “select customers.” The firm is also working with Zoom, Diversified, and AVI-SPL to bring this tech to business customers worldwide. Finally, Google is working on speech translation for Beam.

Wear OS 6 gets a developer preview

Google already used its Android Show event to give us a look at Wear OS 6 and detail some changes. The smartwatch OS is getting a Material 3 Expressive design in line with Android 16, along with up to 10% better battery life. Google only disclosed that the update will be released in the “coming months” to the Pixel Watch series and new watches from partners.

Google went on to release the Wear OS 6 developer preview at I/O 2025. Interestingly, watch face customization platform Facer also announced that it would make a full return with the new Wear OS update. Either way, we’re expecting the stable version of Wear OS 6 to arrive at the same time as Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch models.

Android 16 for TV

We reported back in November that Google plans to move to a bi-yearly release schedule for Android TV/Google TV. This suggested that the next TV software release could be Android 16.

Android 16 for TV is indeed the next release, and Google has announced that the Android 16 for TV emulator is now available to developers. The update now lets apps dynamically switch picture and audio profiles via a set of standard APIs. There’s also support for the Eclipsa Audio format and several other under-the-hood improvements. We also took a look at the new software and noticed very minor visual tweaks (as seen above) but no Material 3 Expressive stylings.

Android in the car

Got a car with Google Built-in or Android Auto support? Google made a few notable announcements that might pique your interest. The company confirmed that Android Auto will support browsers and video apps later this year. Cars with Google Built-in will also get an audio-only playback mode for video apps, theoretically allowing you to listen to podcasts and other content via the likes of YouTube.

Interestingly, Google quietly revealed that Quick Share is coming to cars with Google Built-in. The company didn’t share a release window, though. Nevertheless, this is a welcome development and means you can share content between your phone and car without using an internet connection.

What about Pixel hardware?

We initially wondered whether we’d see the Google Pixel 9a launched at I/O, but Google bucked this trend by launching it in March. That got us briefly wondering whether we’ll see the Pixel 10 series instead.

Google didn’t tease the Pixel 10 family at I/O 2025. That’s not a surprise, as we’re still a few months away from the expected launch window. In saying so, the company previously teased the Pixel 7 series at I/O 2022, and those phones launched over four months later. So there was a precedent for a glimpse of some kind.