Tech Desk 
May 13, 2025
On its annual I/O developer conference, Google revealed a lineup of key upgrades that will shape the future of Android on phones, wearables, TVs, cars, and even XR (extended reality) devices.
Headlining this year's revelations was the announcement of Android 16 and Wear OS 6.
Android 16 and Wear OS 6 takes centre stage
Both Android 16 and Wear OS 6 will feature a new design language dubbed Material 3 Expressive.
This visual refresh concentrates on achieving deeper emotional connection and personalisation in the form of dynamic colour, natural animations, expressive typography, and smoother, more responsive interactions.
Wear OS 6 has been designed specifically for circular screens, providing depth effects and touch feedback that adapt naturally to wrist gestures and screen interactions.
Smarter experiences with Android 16
Android 16 introduces glanceable live updates to apps such as rideshares and food delivery, providing more contextual information from the lock or home screen.
Pro-level camera and media features were added, such as hybrid auto exposure, enhanced night mode detection, and support for advanced video capture formats like Advanced Pro Video.
In addition, Android 16 tablets will enjoy enhanced desktop-style windowing and multitasking features. Accessibility has also been enhanced throughout, with enhanced contrast handling, screen reader performance, and haptic feedback.
Gemini spreads across Android ecosystem
One of the largest themes of the event was the spread of Gemini, Google's robust AI assistant, throughout the entire Android ecosystem.
Gemini will now natively run on Android phones without a subscription, delivering smarter answers, real-time suggestions, and deeper app integration. The AI is also arriving on Wear OS smartwatches, where it will assist users in managing schedules, receiving reminders, and getting things done hands-free.
In the car, Gemini will make Android Auto more intelligent by automatically summarising messages, translating conversations, and assisting drivers in planning routes by means of natural voice interactions.
On Google TV, Gemini will simplify discovering what to watch by way of smart content recommendations and family-friendly viewing filters.
Furthermore, Gemini will power Android's future XR experiences, as Google has confirmed a partnership with Samsung to create new headsets and glasses using AI to help with tasks such as 3D planning and immersive multitasking.
Google reveals privacy and safety update
Privacy and security also saw considerable mention. Real-time scam spotting was announced for Google Messages, and it will leverage on-device AI to highlight prevalent scams such as crypto or gift card fraud.
A new Find Hub will centralise all location tracking—from people to pets, bags to devices—with Bluetooth and satellite-based support.
Interestingly, high-risk users like journalists and activists will be able to sign up for Advanced Protection more easily in the near future, getting more robust security without hassle.
Another such aggressive step is the addition of in-call scam protection, which can identify suspicious activity while making phone calls and prevent potentially malicious activities such as sideloading apps or disabling security features.
It is also being tested in the UK with banks Monzo and NatWest, which will now alert users in real time in case it detects screen-sharing while on a call.
