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Engadget
19-05-2025
- Business
- Engadget
Google I/O 2025: New Android 16, Gemini AI and everything else to expect at Tuesday's keynote
Google I/O, the search giant's annual developer conference, kicks off on Tuesday, May 20. The event is arguably the most important on the company's annual calendar, offering the opportunity for the company to share a glimpse at everything it has been working on over the past year — and contextualize its biggest priorities for the next twelve months. The dance card for Google I/O was apparently so packed that the company spun off a dedicated Android showcase a whole week earlier. (See everything that was announced at the Android Show or go to our liveblog to get a feel for how things played out.) With that event now behind us, Google can stay focused on its most important core competency: AI. Google's presentation will come on the heels of announcements from three big rivals in recent days. Further up the Pacific coast, Microsoft is hosting its Build developer conference, where it's already unveiled an updated Copilot AI app. Meanwhile, at the Computex show in Taiwan, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang highlighted a partnership with Foxconn to develop an "AI factory supercomputer" powered by 10,000 Blackwell AI chips. And Meta held its debut LlamaCon AI conference last month, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg's plans for AI dominance have reportedly since hit some snags. (Apple will share its updated AI roadmap on June 9 when its WWDC developers conference kicks off.) If you'd like to tune in from home and follow along as Google makes its announcements, check out our article on how to watch the Google I/O 2025 keynote. We'll also be liveblogging the event, so you can just come to Engadget for the breaking news. The presentation featured Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat, who took over for Burke in 2024. We saw Samat and his colleagues show off years, Android hasn't had much of a spotlight at Google's annual developer conference. Thankfully, last week's Android Show breakout let Google's mobile operating system take the spotlight for at least a day. The presentation featured Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat, who took over for Burke in 2024. We saw Samat and his colleagues show off the new Material 3 Expressive design, and what we learned confirmed some of the features that were previously leaked, like the "Ongoing notifications" bar. Material 3 Expressive is also coming to Wear OS 6, and the company is expanding the reach of Gemini by bringing it to its smartwatch platform, Android Auto and Google TV. Android is also amping up its scam-detection features and a refined Find Hub that will see support for satellite connectivity later in the year. Speaking of timing, Google has already confirmed the new operating system will arrive sometime before the second half of the year. Though it did not release a stable build of Android 16 today, Samat shared during the show that Android 16 (or at least part of it) is coming next month to Pixel devices. And though the company did cover some new features coming to Android XR, senior director for Android Product and UX Guemmy Kim said during the presentation that "we'll share more on Android XR at I/O next week." It clearly seems like more is still to come, and not just for Android XR. We didn't get confirmation on the Android Authority report that Google could add a more robust photo picker, with support for cloud storage solutions. That doesn't mean it won't be in Android 16, it might just be something the company didn't get to mention in its 30-minute showcase. Plus, Google has been releasing new Android features in a quarterly cadence lately, rather than wait till an annual update window to make updates available. It's possible we see more added to Android 16 as the year progresses. One of the best places to get an idea for what's to come in Android 16 is in its beta version, which has already been available to developers and is currently in its fourth iteration. For example, we learned in March that Android 16 will bring Auracast support, which could make it easier to listen to and switch between multiple Bluetooth devices. This could also enable people to receive Bluetooth audio on hearing aids they have paired with their phones or tablets. Remember Google Glass? No? How about Daydream? Maybe Cardboard? After sending (at least) three XR projects to the graveyard, you would think even Google would say enough is enough. Instead, the company is preparing to release Android XR after previewing the platform at the end of last year. This time around, the company says the power of its Gemini AI models will make things different. We know Google is working with Samsung on a headset codenamed Project Moohan. Last fall, Samsung hinted that the device could arrive sometime this year. Whether Google and Samsung demo Project Moohan at I/O, I imagine the search giant will have more to say about Android XR and the ecosystem partners it has worked to bring to its side for the initiative. This falls in line with what Kim said about more on Android XR being shared at I/O. If Google felt the need to split off Android into its own showcase, we're likely to get more AI-related announcements at I/O than ever before. The company hasn't provided many hints about what we can expect on that front, but if I had to guess, features like AI Overviews and AI Mode are likely to get substantive updates. I suspect Google will also have something to say about Project Mariner, the web-surfing agent it demoed at I/O 2024. Either way, Google is an AI company now, and every I/O moving forward will reflect that. Speaking of AI, Project Astra was one of the more impressive demos Google showed off at I/O 2024. The technology made the most of the latest multi-modal capabilities of Google's Gemini models to offer something we hadn't seen before from the company. It's a voice assistant with advanced image recognition features that allows it to converse about the things it sees. Google envisions Project Astra one day providing a truly useful artificial assistant. However, after seeing an in-person demo of Astra, the Engadget crew felt the tech needed a lot more work. Given the splash Project Astra made last year, there's a good chance we could get an update on it at I/O 2025. According to a report from The Information , Google might be planning to unveil its own take on Pinterest at I/O. That characterization is courtesy of The Information, but based on the features described in the article, Engadget team members found it more reminiscent of Cosmos instead. Cosmos is a pared-down version of Pinterest, letting people save and curate anything they see on the internet. It also allows you to share your saved pages with others. Google's version, meanwhile, will reportedly show image results based on your queries, and you can save the pictures in different folders based on your own preferences. So say you're putting together a lookbook based on Jennie from Blackpink. You can search for her outfits and save your favorites in a folder you can title "Lewks," perhaps. Whether this is simply built into Search or exists as a standalone product is unclear, and we'll have to wait till I/O to see whether the report was accurate and what the feature really is like. Last year, Wear OS didn't get a mention during the company's main keynote, but Google did preview Wear OS 5 during the developer sessions that followed. The company only began rolling out Wear OS 5.1 to Pixel devices in March. This year, we've already learned at the Android Show that Wear OS 6 is coming, with Material 3 Expressive gracing its interface. Will we learn more at I/O? It's unclear, but it wouldn't be a shock if that was all the air time Wear OS gets this year. Google has jumped the gun and already launched a standalone NotebookLM app ahead of I/O. The machine-learning note-taking app, available in desktop browsers since 2023, can summarize documents and even synthesize full-on NPR-style podcast summaries to boot. Google has a terrible track record when it comes to preventing leaks within its internal ranks, so the likelihood the company could surprise us is low. Still, Google could announce something we don't expect. As always, your best bet is to visit Engadget on May 20 and 21. We'll have all the latest from Google then along with our liveblog and analysis. Update, May 5 2025, 7:08PM ET: This story has been updated to include details on a leaked blog post discussing "Material 3 Expressive." Update, May 6 2025, 5:29PM ET: This story has been updated to include details on the Android 16 beta, as well as Auracast support. Update, May 8 2025, 3:20PM ET: This story has been updated to include details on how to watch the Android Show and the Google I/O keynote, as well as tweak the intro for freshness. Update, May 13 2025, 3:22PM ET: This story has been updated to include all the announcements from the Android Show and a new report from The Information about a possible image search feature debuting at I/O. The intro was also edited to accurately reflect what has happened since the last time this article was updated. Update, May 14 2025, 4:32PM ET: This story has been updated to include details about other events happening at the same time as Google I/O, including Microsoft Build 2025 and Computex 2025. Update, May 19 2025, 5:13PM ET: Updated competing AI news from Microsoft, Meta and NVIDIA, and contextualized final rumors and reports ahead of I/O. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Mint
18-05-2025
- Mint
Android 16: What do Google's major updates mean for you?
Google unveiled the biggest update to its Android mobile operating system in years, a week ahead of Google I/O, its annual developer conference held in Mountain View, California, which will take place over 20-21 May this year. The updates coming to Android 16 were revealed during The Android Show, streamed online on 14 May. Incidentally, this is just weeks before Apple Inc is expected to unveil its overhauled iPhone software. Android remains the world's most widely used operating system, powering more than three billion active devices globally across phones, watches, tablets, TVs, and other smart devices. The update focuses on three main pillars: design enhancements, experiential improvements, and AI-powered assistant integration, said Sameer Samat, president of Android Ecosystem, during the presentation. Firstly, the Android design language has evolved significantly with Material You, transforming into Material 3 Expressive, Samat revealed—a more personalized, flexible, and aesthetically pleasing UI system based on smooth, tactile animations, vivid color themes, and adaptable fonts. This design language extends across all devices, including Wear OS 6, which has been tailored specifically for round watch displays, optimized not only for beauty but also efficiency, offering up to 10% battery savings. Material 3 Expressive takes into account personalization as a core UX principle and displays Google's commitment to personalization, not just visually but interactionally, with physics-based animations and haptic feedback enhancing satisfaction and immersion. Instead of static, uniform interfaces, this evolution allows users to feel a device is uniquely theirs. Such emotional engagement in UI design can contribute to higher user satisfaction and longer usage durations, impacting brand preference and ecosystem lock-in, said Samat. Android 16 will feature live updates as a productivity booster: The introduction of live updates in the notification shade addresses a common user frustration—missing important information buried in notification clutter. This feature transforms the notification area into a dynamic, glanceable hub for ongoing events, such as food orders or ride shares, reducing the need for repetitive app checking. This improves user focus and reduces distraction, which aligns well with current digital wellbeing trends. One of the highlights of the update is the evolution of Find My Device to FindHub, expanding use cases beyond just locating gadgets to include personal safety and location sharing. The Find My Device feature, which allows Android users to locate lost phones and other devices, will have support for more partners (such as built-in luggage finding from brands like July and Mokobara, as Tech Crunch reported), satellite-based finding capabilities, and airline partnerships. The introduction of satellite connectivity to maintain communication without cellular signals is especially significant for emergency preparedness, outdoor activities, and underserved coverage areas. The video revealed that the next wearable version of Android, Wear OS 6, is coming this year. Wear OS 6 places tactile and visual harmony at the forefront, adapting UI elements to the round watch face for a more natural and aesthetic feel. The notable 10% battery improvement demonstrates Google's technical focus on optimizing performance alongside style, essential for wearable devices where battery life remains a key limitation. The 'shape morphing' adaptive UI also indicates a shift toward more fluid, context-aware interfaces that respect device form factors. During the Android Show, Google said that in addition to coming to Wear OS later this year, its AI assistant Gemini will be making its way to cars, Google TV, and mixed-reality headsets this year. 'Gemini represents a significant step in AI assistant capabilities, moving beyond simple voice commands into collaborative, contextual assistance,' said Samat, adding that its integration of live screen and camera sharing is particularly innovative, allowing real-time visual context understanding—huge for troubleshooting, learning, or decision-making. Availability across multiple platforms and languages ensures accessibility and positions Gemini as a central node in Google's AI ecosystem.
Pink Villa
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Royal's Vihaan Samat is 'chipku' and 'aashiq' in love; reacts to dating rumors with Radhikka Madan
Vihaan Samat is currently in the news for his portrayal of Digvijay Singh in the Netflix show, The Royals. Well, there's another reason why he is making headlines. Rumors have it that the young actor is dating Angrezi Medium actress Radhikka Madan. While talking about his relationship, love life and career, Samat stated that he is 'chipku' and 'aashiq' in love. He also spoke about Madan. Read on! While chatting with Filmibeat Prime, Vihaan Samat denied commenting on anything when the host showed him a picture of himself with a mystery girl. As he spoke about his love life and dating history, the CTRL actor stated that he is a 'chipku boyfriend.' Sharing more, he stated that he can't not be that because he's always with his girl. 'I need to check on her. I am always stuck to her,' he admitted. Sharing his idea of love, the Call Me Bae actor stated, 'It's when you and another person connect so deeply that you can be each other's companion for life.' When asked about his plans for marriage, Samat said that first, he needs to find a girlfriend. In the chat, he also admitted to being single. 'I am a bit of an aashiq,' he underlined, adding that his ideal thing to do on a date is to chill and talk to the person. In the same chat, he revealed admiring female actors like Alia Bhatt, Radhikka Madan. Talking more about the Shiddat actress, Vihaan said that she has fantastic work and is one of the really good actors. When asked which movie of Madan he liked the most, Samat cutely said 'all of while' admitting that he has watched only some, right from Pataakha to Angrezi Medium, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, Sarfira, and more. For the unknown, Vihaan and Radhikka sparked dating rumors when a picture of them walking hand-in-hand took over social media by storm. In an interview with ETimes, Madan spoke about her relationship status. She told the publication, 'I will comment when I have to. For now, I want to keep my personal life private.' While Samat is enjoying the love coming his way for The Royals, Radhikka is simultaneously working on two projects.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google has a solution for those ‘unpaid toll' text scams
The next time you're about to tap a text message to resolve an unpaid toll balance, your Android phone may warn you to think twice. Google is updating its scam text detection technology to spot hoaxes like these, which are among the most common types of text-related schemes according to the Federal Trade Commission. The new scam detection will come as an update to Google Messages, the messaging app installed on most Android phones by default. Google Messages already monitors texts for other types of popular ploys like fake job offers and bogus package theft alerts. It will start rolling out on Tuesday and is just one of several Android updates Google announced ahead of its developers' conference next week – along with cosmetic software changes and the expansion of its Gemini AI helper to Android-powered smartwatches and cars. Text scams related to phony unpaid tolls have been on the rise. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received roughly 60,000 complaints related to toll scams last year, and fake unpaid toll texts nearly quadrupled between January and late February according security software maker McAfee. Consumers lost $470 million to text scams in 2024, according to the FTC. 'We've just been hearing from users like constantly that this is a problem,' Sameer Samat, Google's Android ecosystem president, said in a CNN interview. The anti-spam tech works by analyzing a conversation for red flags. Like most phishing scams, these texts may include poor grammar, urgent language, suspicious links and imitations of official logos, according to roadside assistance and insurance provider AAA. But, according to Samat, fraudsters are adopting more sophisticated tactics. For example, scammers may hide or rotate URLs to make them harder to detect. They might also borrow language from legitimate sources to make their message sound more convincing. 'These texts look deceptively simple,' Samat said. 'But actually there (is) a whole bunch in them that is complicated.' When receiving what could be a scam text, Google Messages will show an alert labeling the message as a 'likely scam' with the option to either report and block the number, or tell Google it isn't a scam. These messages are typically crafted to look like they're coming from a legitimate toll agency and will include a phone number or link to make a payment, AAA says. New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a warning earlier this year to users of the electronic toll collection system E-ZPass, saying customers will never be prompted to hand over personal information such as credit card data or social security numbers via text or email. The scammers usually ask for small sums of money. Google says its detection algorithm runs on-device, meaning it doesn't need to send information about a user's text messages to its servers to pick up on those warning signs. In addition to unpaid toll scams, the update also enables Google's messaging app to spot potentially fraudulent texts related to crypto, technical support and gift cards. Google isn't the only tech company trying to crack down on scam texts; McAfee also offers a tool that it says can spot potentially malicious links in texts, while security software provider Bitdefender offers a free chatbot users can share suspicious texts, emails and links for analysis. But Google's tech is integrated into the messaging app Android device owners are likely already using. It's one of several security-related updates from the search giant, coming after the company recently announced a tool for identifying scam websites in its Chrome browser. Google is also piloting a feature that warns users when sharing their phone's screen with an unknown contact while using a banking app. 'The scammers are really upping the bar on what they are trying to do,' Samat said. 'And so we felt like we had to match that.'
Tom's Guide
14-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Android 16 release schedule comes into focus — and that could mean an earlier update for Samsung phones
We already knew that Google was pushing the release schedule for Android 16 compared to previous versions of the phone software. This week, we got a sense of how soon Android 16 could be ready — and the ripple effect that might have on software based on the new version of Android such as Samsung's One UI 8 update. Updated Android 16 timing came courtesy of The Android Show, an online event Google hosted yesterday (May 13) to focus on changes coming to its phone software. During that event, Android boss Sameer Samat said that "Samsung and many other" devices will get Android 16 "this summer." Based on some extrapolating from Android Police, that could translate to a One UI 8 release between late June and late September. That would be an improvement over the One UI 7 rollout, which just began last month — more than six months after Android 15 became publicly available. Android 16's expedited release date could mean history won't repeat itself with the next version of One UI. If that summer launch window is correct, that could put One UI 8 on track to debut with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7. Those two upcoming foldable phones are rumored to be coming out during a Galaxy Unpacked event in July. They won't be the first devices running a version of Android 16. Google reserves that distinction for its own Pixel devices. And according to Samat, that's happening later this year. Most rumors tip Android 16 to appear in June, which would allow for that summer release of One UI 8. Unlike One UI 7, One UI 8 shouldn't be much of an overhaul on Samsung's part, where most of the big updates will come from Google's Material 3 Expressive overhaul of Android. Instead, One UI 8 should be more of a refinement of the new features introduced in One UI 7 including the Now Bar and Brief, as well as the notifications. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
