Google I/O 2026 takes place on May 19, but today, Google is hosting a live streamed warm-up event called Android Show: I/O Edition. As you might have guessed, it focuses mainly on Android issues.
In the past, Google I/O has focused on new Android developments. Now, Google is getting that stuff out of the way a week early, clearing the decks for Gemini and artificial intelligence to take center stage at I/O.
Much of what was shared at The Android Show was small and growing, but between Google’s new laptop model and some useful-sounding Gemini features, there’s some meat to chew on here. So, let’s dig into everything we learned at the Android Show.
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Android Show: Big announcements for I/O Edition
Here are the highlights from the Android Show.
Meet Googlebook
Here it is.
Credit: Google
Of course, the biggest announcement of the show was the Googlebook, a new class of laptops from Google and its hardware partners, including Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Acer. We only got brief glimpses of the hardware itself, and Google chose not to share release windows or price points at the Android Show. At its core, the Googlebook looks like a Gemini-generation Chromebook.
Google’s biggest innovation with the Googlebook is the Magic Pointer, a new mouse cursor with AI. When you hover over something with the Magic Pointer in Googlebook, it will suggest AI actions for content on whatever you’re pointing at. One example is Google which has provided the ability to move over a date via email and set up a meeting. You know, the things you used to do with AI, but now built into your mouse pointer.
‘Googlebook’ comes from the language.
Credit: Google
Credit: Google
Google announces the Googlebook, a new type of notebook computer designed for Gemini
Another great feature is the ability to use apps installed on your Android phone right on the Googlebook itself. According to Google, this won’t require additional downloads or awkward touchscreen controls, like Android apps on Chromebooks sometimes had in the past. It was good.
According to the design, the Googlebook will have a small “Glowbar” on the back cover, which will light up in the colors of the Google logo.
Android Auto is getting some improvements
It looks great!
Credit: Google
If you have a modern car that is compatible with Android Auto, Google has built an amazing upgrade for you. First, the Material 3 Expressive design language from your Pixel phone can now carry over to Android Auto, bringing your custom color scheme and font choices with it, if you so choose. Users can also set custom widgets on the screen to check the weather or open the garage door.
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Additionally, Google has updated Google Maps within Android Auto to provide a more three-dimensional view of your surroundings. It can even tell which lane you are on, which can be helpful. Google also added full HD, 60 frames per video support via YouTube in supported vehicles. Like other video-enabled cars, this only works while parked. Videos will automatically switch to audio only when the car is set to drive.
Finally, Google has brought useful Gemini features to Android Auto. You can use voice commands to order food through DoorDash, use the Magic Cue feature from the latest Pixel phones to draw up related information when someone asks you a question via text message, and more.
Gemini Intelligence comes to Android
Throughout the year 2026, Google will introduce new “Gemini Intelligence” features, aimed at the “latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices” coming this summer. Other devices, such as cars, watches, laptops, and smart glasses will also get these features as the year progresses.
Gemini Intelligence features often seem to streamline things you already do with AI, giving AI more power to automate multi-step tasks and understand context. For example, you can use Gemini Intelligence to automatically find a good place for an upcoming spin class or find a tour on Expedia just based on a photo of a tour brochure shown to you by an AI agent.
Other nuggets include Rambler, a new speech-to-text tool that removes filler words like “um” and “like” from your notifications. Google says it can even switch languages mid-sentence. This should allow users to be more vocal when talking to Gemini. Another new feature is the ability to have Gemini automatically fill out long user forms on mobile.
Last but not least in Gemini Intelligence is the ability to create custom widgets using Create My Widget. Google says you can use natural language voice prompts to have Gemini create a custom on-screen widget with the information you’re looking for. This will be interesting to check as the new Pixel devices are released this summer.
A Pause Point gives you time to reflect
Hang on.
Credit: Google
A small but potentially meaningful new Android feature is Pause Point. How this works is that you mark apps that you find yourself using a lot as distracting, and when you try to open them, Pause Point will pause you for 10 seconds. At that point, you can reconsider opening the app, and Pause Point will suggest other more productive apps to open instead. This should be enabled by default in all social media apps.
New tools for creators
Later this year, Pixel devices will get a new creator-focused feature called Screen Reactions. It records your face again what’s on your screen, so you can react to whatever you’re watching without doing any video editing. Instagram is also adding features available on new Android devices. You can capture and play content with Ultra HDR, and videos have built-in enhancement tools now, too.
The Instagram Edits app for Android is also growing. You can use AI to automatically enhance content and use noise isolation tools to remove all unwanted background noise from your videos. Last but not least for creators, Adobe Premiere is coming to Android later this year, complete with exclusive templates for YouTube Shorts.
Chrome for Android is gaining momentum
Finally, Google is adding some Gemini support to the Chrome app on Android mobile devices. This includes Nano Banana support built right into the browser for image rendering, so if you’re studying for an exam and want to turn the page you’re reading into a more attractive infographic, you can, at least in theory.
Google says you can also use SpotHero to automatically find a parking spot based on the show ticket you’ve purchased, and use the Gemini icon in the upper-right corner of the web page to summarize the page.
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UPDATE: May. 12, 2026, 2:26 pm EDT This article has been updated with additional news from the Android Show event.
