Everything Google announced at The Android Show

Google wrapped up its first edition of The Android Show the last night, kicking off its I/O season, and giving a sneak peek into what’s to come to Android phones and the ecosystem of devices around it. The star of the show was Android’s new design language, or as Google calls it Material 3 Expressive , among other titbits for the Android 16. Then, there was a bit of talk about how Google’s making Android more private and secure than before. Last but not the least, there was Gemini , as one would expect anyway. Here’s a rundown of everything that was announced at The Android Show.


Android gets its biggest makeover in years


Google gave the Android it’s biggest redesign in the last few years with the Material 3 Expressive, and Google says it’s "the most researched update to Google's design system, ever." The new language brings "springy animations" and fluid interactions throughout the interface, making everyday interactions feel more tactile and engaging. When you swipe away a notification, the entire stack ripples with a spring-loaded motion, complete with satisfying haptic feedback. These playful animations extend to volume sliders, recents menu, and quick settings, all designed to add "moments of delight" to routine tasks.

The redesign also introduces updated dynamic color themes that adapt to your wallpaper, bolder typography, and a greater sense of depth through subtle background blurring. Google's research suggests these visual changes aren't just fun, they make apps more appealing to younger users. Up to 87% of 18-24 year-olds prefer expressive design, while improving comprehension for users over 45. Then, the entirety of Google apps of will be adapting the new design language

Some nifty new features for Android 16
Beyond the visual refresh, Android 16 brings practical improvements to everyday features. The new Live Updates feature lets you easily track real-time progress notifications, like food delivery ETAs, rideshare status, and navigation directions, without hunting through notification clutter.




Quick Settings has been redesigned to accommodate more toggles in the same space, making it easier to access frequently used controls like a Flashlight and Do Not Disturb. The Android 16 beta will be available on select devices in June, with the final release expected on Pixel devices later this year before rolling out to partner phones.

Android is becoming more private and secure
Android 16 also introduces an upgraded AI-powered Scam Detection feature that can identify and block new types of text scams, from crypto "investment" hustles to fake toll-road fees. The system reportedly blocks billions of shady texts each month.

Google is also introducing Find Hub, a central dashboard for tracking phones, Bluetooth tags, and connected devices. The service is adding support for more third-party tags and satellite connectivity for location sharing even when cell service is unavailable.

Perhaps most impressive was Google bringing its Advanced Protection program directly to Android 16 with a dedicated high-security mode designed for users at risk, like journalists and activists, which implements stringent security measures across apps, blocks vulnerable 2G networks, and includes a groundbreaking Intrusion Logging feature that stores tamper-proof encrypted logs in the cloud, allowing users to detect sophisticated attacks and share forensic evidence with security experts if needed.

WearOS 6 also gets a fresh coat of paint



Material 3 Expressive comes to your wrist with Wear OS 6, featuring animations that trace the curvature of round displays. Lists animate with a sense of depth, buttons stretch to hug the bezel for easier tapping, and transitions feel more fluid with shape-morphing elements that adapt to smaller screens. Watches will also gain dynamic color theming that syncs the entire system with your watch face palette for a more cohesive look.

Google has optimized the OS for better performance and power efficiency, promising up to 10% more battery life with this update.

Gemini is coming to your car, home, and even headsets
Gemini is making the leap beyond phones to Wear OS watches, Android Auto, Google TV, and even Samsung's upcoming XR headset. On watches, you'll be able to create reminders mid-workout or access information with voice commands. In cars, Gemini takes over voice duties from Google Assistant, offering more natural language interactions while driving.

On Google TV, Gemini will recommend kid-safe content and pull up YouTube explainer videos on demand. The assistant is also coming to Sony and Samsung earbuds, making Google's AI accessible across virtually every screen in your daily life.


That was it for The Android Show. We should be learning more about Android, and also Android XR which didn't get as much screen time as we were expecting, at the I/O keynote next week on May 20th.