News Weekly: Android Show's I/O edition, Google teases smart ...
A round-up of the biggest tech-related news that stood out this week. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
News Weekly is our column where we highlight and summarize some of the week's top stories so you can catch up on the latest tech news. This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape. This week, we dive into all things Android. Google snuck in its future XR tech, the Android Show gets an I/O edition, HBO Max makes a comeback, Nothing's Phone 3 is set to show up this summer, and Samsung quietly unveiled a limited-edition Galaxy ring.
About Google I/O
Google I/O is coming up — starting on May 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater in California. Android Central will be there live, so if you want all the updates as they happen during the two-day event, keep an eye out for our live coverage right from where it happens.
The Android Show I/O Edition
Read more Google wanted to switch things up a bit with this year's I/O. It revealed some of the significant developments much earlier than expected, giving users a full look at what's in store with Gemini, Material 3 Expressive, and its updated safety and privacy tools.
First up, Gemini comes to more devices. Gemini is expanding across the Android ecosystem, replacing Google Assistant on phones and integrating into Wear OS, cars, TVs, and XR. This integration focuses on providing more intuitive, hands-free, and context-aware AI assistance across various devices. Google explains that M3 Expressive is all about design that feels good, makes sense, and helps you do things with ease. It leans on five key components, such as color, shape, size, motion, and containment, to steer the user's attention to the stuff that matters.
Wear OS 6 is also getting a fresh coat of paint, more customization via color options, and a customizable UI. Watch faces will now be able to change the whole color of the OS, giving the wearable a more thematic feel.
Privacy and Security Enhancements
During the show, Google announced a whole slew of privacy and security tools that will show up on all Android devices with Android 16. New warning systems will be built into Android's caller and Google Messages, which help prevent fraud by sending you pop-up messages when common scam tactics are used. For instance, Google Messages is also getting a big security update with AI-based detection that can help stop scammers pretending to be government officials or bank employees. Google's Find My Device will also evolve into Find Hub with UWB tag support and satellite connectivity for enhanced tracking.
Google's Smart Glasses Tease
As The Android Show 2025 drew to a close, Sameer Samat put on what appeared to be a pair of Google and Samsung's upcoming smart glasses, with tinted lenses. While putting them on, he hinted that Google I/O 2025 would be full of more Android announcements, "and maybe even a few more really cool Android demos." This only means we'd be getting more than just a peek at those highly anticipated wearables this year.
