The Android Show: I/O Edition live blog: All the biggest Android 16 and Gemini news as it happens

It's about time we learned more about Android XR

We know that Android XR is coming, Google's already told us that much. We also know that it will be powering various mixed reality devices, including Samsung's Project Moohan headset. With that supposedly arriving before the end of the year, it's about time Google spilled the details on the software that will be powering it.

We already know that the software has been developed in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm, with the ability to "fully use Gemini AI."

What we've seen also suggests this is Google's version of visionOS, the software powering Apple's Vision Pro headset. Screenshots show spatial computing screens laid over the real world environment, and all the other things that scream "mixed reality". It's also speculated that all Android apps could be available, regardless of whether they've been built for Android XR.

But with that deadline looming, it's about time Google got serious and started showing off more of what the software will actually be able to do. And whether there will be any other devices running it in the near future.

Wear OS 6 counts as Android too

We know quite a lot about Android 16, in part because of the beta's early release, but Wear OS 6 is still something of a mystery. We assume it's coming some time later this year, but beyond that the next version of Google's wearable software is something of a mystery.

The Android Show is the perfect opportunity for Google to lift the curtain, and show us what's coming to Wear OS devices — and the kind of upgrades we can expect. Personally, I just want to see Gemini come to watches, because I'm sick of using Google Assistant which isn't nearly as capable.

Is there a redesign on the way?

One of the more recent Android 16 leaks suggests that Google is actually going to redesign Android 16 with something called "Material Expressive 3." This information (and imagery) about the new design came from one of Google's own leaks, which suggests this is actually happening at some point.

The screenshots we see in the leak are very purple, though the actual colors will presumably be down to the user's own preferences.

It looks like the foal is to make Android more attractive and usable, while also making apps look distinct from one another.

There's also a focus on "color, shape, size, motion and containment," which is supposedly helping to group and split up Android phone features in a more logical and interactive way. No doubt we'll be hearing all about this during The Android Show itself.

Will Gemini become more widespread?

As big a deal as Gemini is on Android, it's not universally available across the Google ecosystem. Smartwatches and cars lack any kind of support for Gemini, and the AI is only available as an experimental feature on a handful of smart home products. It's about time Google let Gemini spread its wings a little more.

Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor Tom Pritchard has spoken at length about his frustration with how poor Google Assistant is on Android Auto. So offering Gemini in the car, and making sure it can understand what the driver is saying to it, would be a huge help.

Similarly having Gemini on phones, and Assistant on watches, is only likely to cause confusion. Imagine saying "Hey Google" and having both devices load up a different assistant. Because it can and does happen, so the sooner Google changes this the better.

When will Android 16 be released?

We know that Android 16 is coming early this year, and we've been enjoying various beta versions of the software since January. What we don't know is when the update is actually going to be released to the public. Or however many members of the public have Pixel phones.

Some rumors have speculated that Android 16 could be released in late May or early June. But the truth is that we have no idea right now, because Google hasn't told us. Plus Android releases aren't always consistent, and the new early release has thrown our predictions out of sync.

Hopefully we'll know more about the release of Android 16 by the time the Android Show is over.

What to expect at The Android Show

You can read our full Android Show preview for our predictions on what Google might announce during the Android Show. But here's a quick rundown of the basics.

Android 16: Android 16 is arriving earlier than normal this year, but Google hasn't said exactly when it will happen yet. We'd like to hear more about when we can download the upgrade ourselves, and what other upgrades are in store for us. Like that stylish, recently-leaked redesign.

Google Gemini: It wouldn't be a Google I/O event without talking about AI, and the links between Android and Gemini are very strong. So we're bound to hear more about how Gemini is changing, and how that's going to affect the Android experience in the coming months. Though we're not sure what sort of announcements are on the way just yet.

Android XR: We know Android XR is coming, and it'll power Samsung's mixed reality Project Moohan headset when it arrives later this year. Seeing as how this is just another version of Android, The Android Show is the perfect opportunity for Google to show us the software in action.

Wear OS 6: It may not be Android per se, but it's close enough to warrant a place in the Android Show. Wear OS powers an increasing number of smartwatches, like the Pixel Watch 3, and I/O is usually the time we find out all the details about the next iteration of the software. So stay tuned for all things Wear OS 6.