Today’s a big day for Android fans — because Google‘s about to reveal a ton of new updates to the platform.
Or at least that’s what we expect to get from The Android Show 2026 — I/O Edition, although Google has so far been characteristically tight-lipped on the subject.
The Android Show 2026 — how to watch
🎬 Watch The Android Show | I/O Edition 2026 – YouTube 
We’ve got a full guide to how to watch The Android Show: I/O Edition, but if you just want the basics, then here you go.
The Android Show 2026 starts at 10am PT / 8am ET / 6pm BST today (3am on May 13 for those in Australia’s AEDT time zone), and will be livestreamed on Google’s YouTube channel. We’ve also embedded the stream above, so you can watch it along with us here.
The Android Show 2026 — What to expect
Information about The Android Show is a little sparse right now. All we really have to go on is what Google has said in the description for its YouTube stream, namely that “The future of Android starts now! Join the team for a first look at the exciting updates redefining Android’s biggest year yet.”
Not a lot to go on there, then — but don’t worry, because we have some ideas. Check out our guide to the 5 Android 17 features that could be announced at Google’s pre-I/O Android reveal for our predictions.
Of course, we’ll be digging into the rumors here in the run-up to the show’s start, so let’s get cracking…
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Meet Googlebook
And here’s that big surprise that was teased at the top – the Googlebook. Yes, Google is trying laptops again, and this is sort of taking the best of Android and ChromeOS into a new platform. It’s also introducing a new take on a cursor, and Gemini Intelligence is very much at the heart of this.
Paris Hilton wasn’t just at the Motorola Razr 2026 launch, but she also showed off some of her favorite Android Auto features.
Android Auto is getting a big refresh with a more immersive map
Time is flying by as we’re already 25 minutes in, and with a bunch of news about Android 17 already unveiled, Google’s turning the focus to Android Auto. And it’s starting with a new adaptable display, so that Android Auto can fit and excel on a BMW, Lucid, or even a Mini Cooper – all of which have different-sized screens.
Widgets will arrive on Android Auto, as will some other interface improvements, as part of Android 17, but a more immersive navigation experience is likely the leading upgrade here.
If your connected phone supports Gemini as well, you’ll get Gemini Intelligence in the car.
Android 17 is rethinking app limits
It’s clear the Android team wants to help with limiting time spent on apps, and a new solution is ‘Pause Point’. So when you open an app, instead of just giving you the option to unlock, you can see photos of family or even a suggestion to use a different app, or a hint to get off your phone.
There will be a lot of customization and settings to go along with this one, and I’m very curious how this works in the real world. Android 17 is focused on well-being tools, though.
Thanks to Gemini Intelligence, you’ll be able to create any widget you want by describing it in natural language. The options here are pretty much limitless, at least as Google has described them so far.
A nice part of this widget experience is that they won’t be limited to your Android phone, but can also be sent to your smartwatch.
OK, this is actually pretty cool. Gemini Intelligence is going to help with filling out forms that simply aren’t mobile-optimized. For instance, when you need to enter a passport number or a loyalty rewards number, Gemini can securely retrieve it from your password and fill it out for you.
Gemini Intelligence is official
We’re rolling right into the news, and first is Gemini Intelligence — it’ll start with Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones later this summer. The idea is that the AI can be more proactive and operate behind the scenes, and it sounds a lot like what Apple promised with Apple Intelligence.
One of the main purposes is that it can automate ‘more tedious’ actions, things like creating widgets or even more multistep actions like calling a rideshare, or finding a concert for you in a specific section. The automation capabilities are pretty neat here, and the updated user interface will let you know when the AI is working.
Android is becoming an ‘intelligent system’
And now, President of the Android Ecosystem, Sameer Samat, is kicking things off. Highlighting some of the big leaps, like Circle to Search and RCS Messages, to make group chats work a little better.
The theme for this year’s update is to have the tech fade into the background — the big change is that Android is moving from an operating system to an intelligent system.
The Android Show is kicking off with a little behind-the-scenes reel, and now CEO Sundar Pichai is giving a brief intro. He started off by saying Android is close to his heart and that a new level of intelligence is arriving.
2 minutes to go
The livestream has officially kicked off for the Android Show 2026, and you can easily stream it above, but we have a countdown that seems to be showing off some rainbow hues. And a mysteriously see-through Android is making an appearance every so often.
With Android leading the bill in the event name, and plenty of rumors about deeper integrations and potential design changes, I wouldn’t expect to see much about the next generation of Pixels.
There is a good chance that many of Android 17’s features will arrive on the current Pixel 10 family – 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold included – and the more recently launched Pixel 10a.
It’s rare that we have two confirmed Google events this close together, but with the Android Show happening today – May 12, 2026 – Google’s next event is right around the corner on May 19, 2026, as that’s the day Google I/O kicks off.
Hello and welcome to our Android Show 2026 live blog. I’ll be your host as we count down to the kick off at 1pm ET / 6pm BST.
