Google is set to host its annual developer conference, Google I/O 2025, on May 20–21 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View.
Highlights
The event will spotlight advancements across Android, Chrome, Google Search, YouTube, and artificial intelligence—with Gemini positioned at the center of the company’s AI strategy.
AI is expected to take a leading role this year, with a likely introduction of an enhanced Gemini Ultra model. This update would build upon the existing Gemini Advanced subscription, currently priced at $20 per month.
Google may also unveil new subscription tiers—reportedly named Premium Plus and Premium Pro—though specifics around pricing and feature differentiation have yet to be disclosed.
These additions suggest Google is working to better align its AI services with varied user needs, ranging from productivity to content creation.
Alongside Gemini, Google is expected to provide more information on Project Astra, a real-time, multimodal AI agent built on Gemini 2.0. Astra is designed to interact dynamically with the environment, offering assistance through vision, voice, and text input.
Another initiative, Project Mariner, has emerged through developer code references in AI Studio. Mariner appears to support browser-based AI agents capable of completing web-based tasks for users, with references to “Computer Use” indicating broader automation potential within daily workflows.
Android 16
Android 16 will likely be a major focus during the event. While the upcoming “Android Show” scheduled for the week before I/O is expected to offer early previews, more comprehensive details will follow during the main keynote.
Leaked documentation has revealed a new design language—Material 3 Expressive—which emphasizes visually engaging “action elements” and responsive UI dynamics.
The design overhaul is informed by a global study involving over 18,000 participants, aiming to create emotionally resonant and accessible interfaces. Enhancements are expected in usability, accessibility, and overall visual appeal.
Android 16 is also set to introduce Auracast support, allowing seamless transitions between Bluetooth audio devices, and will bring back lock screen widgets for improved user access to essential information.
Additional accessibility updates are anticipated, particularly for users with contrast sensitivity and other vision-related needs.
Expanding Developer Ecosystem and Cross-Platform Tools
Google is also expected to share updates on its developer ecosystem, with sessions planned around Android XR (its mixed reality platform), Wear OS, Google Cloud, Chrome, and the Google Play environment.
There are hints that the company may refresh its open-source Gemma AI models, offering lightweight AI tools for integration into third-party applications.
Last year’s I/O revealed several unexpected developments, including LearnLM for educational use cases and NotebookLM, a generative AI-based notetaking tool.
This year may follow a similar trajectory. Early leaks suggest a new feature called Video Overviews, potentially powered by the Veo 2 video generation model, could be introduced.
If accurate, this could mark a significant expansion of multimodal content creation tools within Google’s consumer-facing services.
Gemini Subscriptions
The existing Gemini Advanced plan currently includes access to advanced AI models, 2 TB of cloud storage, and integrations with core Google services like Gmail and Docs. New tiers, possibly named Gemini Pro and Gemini Ultra, appear to be under development.
References in source code point to expanded model access, increased usage limits, and other premium capabilities. These additions may be positioned under the Google One subscription umbrella, further aligning AI offerings with Google’s broader service portfolio.
Material 3 Expressive
Material 3 Expressive represents a significant redesign of the Android UI, aiming to foster a more emotional and personalized experience.
Through updated color schemes, dynamic themes, and more distinctive font usage, the new design language reflects changing user preferences across demographics. Usability improvements are also central to the redesign, including better visual clarity and faster recognition of on-screen elements.
Project Astra and Project Mariner
Project Astra, developed with Gemini 2.0, is positioned as an experimental AI assistant capable of multimodal, real-time interaction. By combining voice, visual, and contextual input, Astra aims to respond dynamically to users in everyday environments.
Meanwhile, Project Mariner appears focused on web-based task automation, enabling AI agents to browse and perform actions on the internet autonomously. Both initiatives indicate Google’s broader intent to embed AI deeply into daily computing experiences.
Media, Audio, and Accessibility Features – Google I/O
In addition to UI improvements, Android 16 will introduce features such as UltraHDR support for HEIC images, a hybrid auto-exposure mode for enhanced photography, and better media playback options.
Accessibility is also a key focus, with enhancements tailored for users with specific visual requirements, reinforcing the update’s inclusivity goals.
