Google is gearing up for its biggest annual event of the year — Google I/O 2025, which kicks off on May 20 and will run for two days. Held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, the developer conference will also be livestreamed globally, allowing online participants to tune into product launches, keynote speeches, and technical sessions.
This year, the focus will be on four core areas: Android, AI, Web, and Cloud, promising major updates and innovation reveals across all platforms.
Google is expected to finally unveil Android 16, which has already been creating buzz in the developer and tech community. One of the significant updates includes redesigned volume controls and a more polished user interface, aimed at making device navigation smoother and more intuitive.
A key feature expected in Android 16 is Advanced Protection Mode, which offers heightened security measures for users. Once enabled, it strengthens device protection by automatically implementing stricter security configurations—especially useful for those unfamiliar with tweaking device-level settings.
Android 16 will also boost Google’s health data platform with the launch of Health Connect 2.0. This upgrade is expected to support FHIR-format health records, enabling users to share medical data with consent across healthcare apps. In addition, users can track physical activity intensity, and workouts will be categorized to align with WHO health standards.
On the AI front, Google is expected to announce a new version of its Gemini Ultra model, which is the most advanced in the Gemini AI lineup. The upgraded version may come with premium features and potentially a new subscription plan, targeted toward professionals and enterprises.
The I/O 2025 homepage teases key tools such as Google AI Studio and NotebookLM, indicating these platforms will receive major updates. Developers might get new APIs or integration capabilities for building on top of Gemini’s open model framework.
Two advanced AI projects are also likely to be spotlighted:
Project Astra aims to develop real-time, multimodal AI agents capable of interpreting visual, audio, and text data simultaneously.
Project Mariner is said to be focused on enabling AI to navigate the web autonomously, performing tasks like bookings or form submissions. Leaked snippets referencing “Computer Use” in Google AI Studio’s code have sparked speculation about a deeper integration between AI agents and personal computing.
A major reveal anticipated at Google I/O 2025 is Android XR, the result of a collaboration between Google and Samsung. This extended reality operating system will power upcoming AR/VR headsets, including Samsung's Project Moohan, as well as smart glasses and other immersive devices.
By integrating Gemini AI at its core, Android XR aims to provide seamless augmented, virtual, and mixed-reality experiences. Google is positioning this OS to challenge Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest in the competitive spatial computing space. The platform could also be opened to other OEMs, making it a standard for next-gen mixed reality hardware.
As with previous editions, Google I/O 2025 will be free and open to everyone online, with live-streamed keynotes, technical sessions, and developer workshops. Tech enthusiasts and developers worldwide will get a front-row seat to the unveiling of Google’s most ambitious software projects to date.
Google I/O 2025 promises to be a landmark event, offering a first look at the future of Android, AI, XR, and more. With groundbreaking innovations like Android 16, Gemini Ultra, and Android XR, Google is clearly aiming to define the next wave of technology experiences.