Google I/O 2026 LIVE — Android 17, Googlebook, Android XR Glasses, Gemini Intelligence and more
Get ready for an explosion of announcements
Time is winding down as we approach the kickoff for the Google I/O 2026 keynote. The annual developers conference is going to be packed with exciting news from just about every facet of Google’s ecosystem. While the Android Show: I/O Edition revealed interesting new details last week, the keynote should dive even deeper into Google’s latest pursuits.
So, whether you’re curious about what’s in store for Android 17 or what other Gemini Intelligence features Google will share, you can keep up with all the breaking news with our Google I/O 2026 live blog. Beyond software, we’re expecting to see some hardware as well — particularly the Googlebook and the versions that other PC makers intend to build.
And while it wasn’t a major focus during the Android Show last week, you can bet that Android XR is going to get a big push during the keynote. In the meantime, keep your browser pointed here to get all the latest news from Google I/O 2026.
When is Google I/O 2026?
Google I/O 2026 is a two-day developers conference that's going to be held on May 19–20. The main keynote is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT on May 19, followed by the developer keynote later that day at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT.
Just like previous events, Google I/O 2026 is being held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.
How to watch Google I/O 2026
You can stay up-to-date with the latest announcements from Google I/O 2026 by tuning in live. Not only is the livestream available to watch through the official Google I/O website, but you can also access it on YouTube.
Google I/O 202: Biggest expected announcements
Android has always been a key pillar of every Google I/O event, and we suspect it’s going to be a major focus at the keynote. Beyond mobile software, here’s everything we expect to be announced:
- Android XR: Google has confirmed it will officially preview Android XR-powered smart glasses built in collaboration with partners like Samsung and XREAL. Expect a major push showcasing how Gemini is deeply integrated directly into this mixed-reality hardware platform.
- Android 17: Last year’s Android 16 brought new visual changes to its smartphone OS, like its new Material 3 Expressive Design and Live Updates, but Google should reveal more features that will come to Android 17.
- Android Auto: Google already showed off the massive visual redesign of Android Auto during the Android Show last week, but we could learn about even more Gemini Intelligence features that will be accessible.
- Chrome OS: Clearly, Google is moving to unify its computing ecosystems with new product categories like the Googlebook. This does make us wonder what’s in store for Chrome OS in the future.
- Gemini Intelligence: No longer isolated to being an app, Gemini Intelligence is already positioned to be an agentic layer that runs underneath Google’s entire ecosystem, so we could find out where else it can prove itself useful.
- Gmail: Naturally, we expect Gemini Intelligence to integrate even deeper into your Gmail inbox.
- Googlebook: Although it was teased already, we should get our first real glimpse at the Googlebook, perhaps along with other AI-first laptops from partners like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.
- Google Health: Just with many other things, it'll be interesting to see how Gemini Intelligence will have a bigger role with its just launched Google Health (previously Fitbit app).
- Google Maps: It is already getting a big makeover with Android Auto, but the Google Maps app should also get the same treatment for its I/O reveal.
- Google Home: Rumors point to a potential new Google Home display hardware reveal that we think will be tied directly to Gemini Intelligence.
Some changes have already come to Gemini app
Gemini is likely to get the lion's share of reveals at I/O 2026, but eagle-eyed users have already spotted some changes rolling out to the Gemini app. There seems to be a new "Thinking level" menu rolling out to the app's model picker, with "standard" and "extended" options added to the Fast and Pro models.
The Gemini app also seems to be prepping more integrations with third-party apps, with support documents suggesting support for Canva, Instacart, and OpenTable is on the way. Which means Gemini should be able to control these apps on your behalf, based on prompts you give it.
No doubt we'll hear more during the I/O conference.
Smart glasses may be the exception
While we don't expect to see any mobile hardware at I/O, Google has confirmed we will be seeing more on the smart glasses front. We don't know a lot more than the fact smart glasses will be at I/O in some capacity, but there's a chance we may get our first details about Android XR-powered glasses you can actually buy.
Rumor has it that Samsung's Galaxy Glasses will launch at Galaxy Unpacked in July, and considering Google's close partnership with Samsung, there's a good chance we'll get some news about the AI specs. Though I can't imagine Samsung will allow a full reveal at someone else's event, when it's own is only a couple of months away.
What about Pixel 11 and other devices?
The one thing we shouldn't expect during I/O is any information on the Pixel 11 or other devices that Google is expected to announce later this year. Why? Because I/O is a developer conference, it has a heavy software focus. It's not really the place to announce new hardware.
There are some exceptions, of course. The new Googlebooks have been revealed already, in part thanks to the new Android-based software they will run on, and we should find out more throughout the event. But anything mobile-centric isn't likely to make an appearance.
Android Auto set to eclipse CarPlay with latest update
Another big reveal from last week’s Android Show was the big makeover that’s coming to Android Auto. Not only is it getting a visual change with a Material 3 Expressive redesign that seamlessly adapts to any dashboard display shape, it’s also turbocharging Google Maps with a new Immersive Navigation experience that delivers stunning 3D maps.
Hardware manufacturers expected to show off more Googlebooks
Google has announced a new premium laptop category called Googlebooks, stepping away from budget Chromebooks to deliver high-end hardware built from the ground up for Gemini Intelligence. Running on a new, deeply integrated AI operating system rather than traditional ChromeOS, we might see more hardware built in partnership with major manufacturers like Asus, Dell, HP, and more.
More Gemini Intelligence could be introduced
Google is officially shifting Android from a standard mobile operating system into a deeply integrated intelligence system with the introduction of Gemini Intelligence. There’s been a lot teased about it during the Android Show last week, like how it’s being integrated into Chrome to give users incredible tools, but we expect the Google I/O 2026 keynote to potentially introduce other areas where Gemini Intelligence will have a meaningful impact.
