Today was a big day for Android fans because Google revealed a ton of new updates to the platform and an entirely new platform.
Leading up to The Android Show 2026 — I/O Edition, we had a good sense that Google would show off the next generation of Android and highlight its mainstay features.
The Android team certainly delivered on that and infused a hefty dose of potentially functional AI in the form of Gemini Intelligence. Maybe the biggest surprise, though, was the Googlebook – a new platform, one that takes the best of Android and ChromeOS, but also a forthcoming wave of laptops.
You can read our live reporting from The Android Show 2026 — I/O Edition as it happened below and see our deep dives on the big hitters that were unveiled as well.
The Android Show 2026 — how to watch a replay
We've got a full guide to how to watch The Android Show: I/O Edition, but if you just want the basics or are looking for a replay, hit the stream above.
The Android Show 2026 originally began its broadcast at 10am PT / 8am ET / 6pm BST on May 12, 2026 (3am on May 13, 2026 for those in Australia’s AEDT time zone), and was livestreamed on Google's YouTube channel.
Less than an hour to go
We're less than an hour away from the Android Show kicking off, and it's safe to say that anticipation is building for what will likely be our first major look at Android 17 and whatever else Google has been working on.
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.
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.
The latter is Google's developer conference and typically fairly focused on platforms, software, and, in recent years, AI. Considering today's event is dubbed 'Android Show 2026', that platform will likely be taking center stage, allowing Google to dive deep into what's new with Android and highlight some of the big leaps year over year.
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.
While we have seen rumors about the Pixel 11 lineup in recent weeks, Google typically reserves its hardware announcements for later in the summer. And that's likely when we'll see the Pixel 11 family announced.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Android 17 will let you create pretty much any widget
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.
For content creators out there, Android 17 is making filming green-screen recordings way easier. It's baked into the operating system and lets you simply add a cutout of yourself to any screen recording.
There are also improvements to video recording and even a smarter way to enhance shots you've already captured. Similar to what Apple's done with audio in video recordings, Google will let you optimize your voice after the fact to ensure the focus is there.
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.
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.
Paris Hilton wasn't just at the Motorola Razr 2026 launch, but she also showed off some of her favorite Android Auto features.
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.
Well, the Android Show 2026 was a big one with major upgrades arriving with Android 17, Gemini taking center stage again, and a whole new platform for the Googlebook.
Fear not, though, as we have breakouts for pretty much everything Google announced at the Android Show, with expert analysis.
- 7 best Android 17 upgrades announced at The Android Show — from 3D emojis to Screen Reactions
- Google just delivered its first Gemini-centric platform in Googlebook, and it may feature the first AI OS
- Google just revealed Gemini Intelligence for Android — here are 7 ways it wants your phone to do all the work for you, so you don’t have to
