My decade-long personal and professional interest in Google comes down to how I think the company will invent the future. I’ve always seen it as a laboratory with — let’s say — unconventional scientists pushing the boundaries of what’s feasible.

Besides the new Android and iOS app (which already picked up its first post-launch update) this week, NotebookLM Audio Overviews are rolling out a new Length customization.

Last year, Google Play kicked off efforts like Collections to be “more than a store.” The next step in that might be a broader Google Play Store redesign, especially of the Apps feed.

At I/O 2025, Google announced a new “Home Summary Widget” for Pixel devices, while bringing Gemini to the Home APIs for third-party developers.

Google’s work on an Android desktop mode continues with desktop windowing coming to external displays with an upcoming Android 16 QPR1 Beta.

Android 16 introduces Live Updates and Google shared more details about them at I/O 2025, including what to expect in the future, like Wear OS support.

Beyond Android 16 for TV, Google at I/O 2025 detailed what’s coming to Google TV. This includes a push for cheaper smart televisions with low RAM that run Google TV.

I think a lot of people would agree that the Android 16 QPR1 update is the “real” update that we’ve all been waiting for – but is it any good? Spoiler alert: it is, but here’s everything you need to know.

Android XR will see its debut on Samsung’s “Project Moohan” headset, but we’re now getting a first look at the second option, XREAL’s “Project Aura.”

• Google I/O 2025
• Google TV

Google TV apps will start showing pop-ups that beg you for ratings

Alongside the initial reveal of Google TV’s Android 16 update, Google is also announcing some changes to apps for TVs, which include new pop-ups that will ask you for app ratings.

One of Android 16’s new features is “Live Updates” and we’re finally getting a peak into how they’ll work for apps like Google Maps and Uber Eats, but we might also be waiting longer than expected to start using them.

Google has revealed that Android Auto is about to get more apps, including wider access to weather apps, and the arrival of video and browser apps in the future.

Google has been working on a “desktop mode” for Android 16 for a while now and at Google I/O’s developer talks, the company confirmed that these improvements have arrived in part thanks to Samsung DeX.

Google I/O meant a lot of changes for the Google Play Store and developers, though two small changes will mean users see more relevant information in apps and media with “Topics” and a Collections expansion.

Google just announced a new AI mode for shopping with two big new features. The AI Mode will give users the option to try clothes on virtually, and if it’s a fit, the AI model will buy them for you.

At I/O 2025, Google provided a more thorough look at how you’ll use Android XR glasses in day-to-day life as work continues.

Google is teasing new features for AI Mode, including the ability for it to act as an agent of the web on your behalf, completing research in the background to save you time, and it looks pretty handy.

Google’s barrier-breaking Project Starline is stepping aside to make way for Google’s next phase – Google Beam. The new 3D communication platform is one step closer to becoming a real product, and will incorporate all of the tech Starline offered in addition to real-time translations using natural AI-generated language.

Besides Meet Speech Translation, Google announced a slew of new Workspace features at I/O 2025 across Gmail (like personalized smart replies), Docs, and Vids.

Google has entered the world of video editing packages with the launch of “Flow,” an AI editing suite launched at IO.

At I/O 2025, Google announced that Meet is getting real-time Speech Translation capability that’s like having an actual human interpreter in the call. 

Google is bringing its new AI Mode in Search to all users in the United States, and bringing a ton of new features, including camera access, a custom version of Gemini under the hood, Gmail integration, and more.

As previewed in December, Project Mariner is Google DeepMind’s research prototype exploring the “future of human-agent interaction, starting with browsers.” Google AI Ultra subscribers now have access to Project Mariner, while the browser agent capabilities are coming to the Gemini app and Search.

Google is bringing Gemini and Gemini Live to Chrome for Mac and Windows. The initial launch lets you ask questions about a page, while future versions will be able to navigate the web and take other actions on your behalf.