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Google I/O 2026: What We're Expecting From Gemini, Android XR and More Next Week

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Google I/O 2026 will take place next week, on May 19, when the tech giant will share its latest advancements in artificial intelligence, products and, hopefully, some hardware.

Earlier this week, Google took the wraps off the latest version of Android, and announced a new laptop platform, Googlebooks, which uses a new operating system that's a merged version of Android and ChromeOS.

Google's mission to fuse AI into all of its products will undoubtedly continue, and we'll likely get details on the latest from Gemini, more agentic AI efforts, Android XR glasses and more.

Watch this: The Android Show I/O Edition Highlights: Googlebooks, Android Auto and More 14:39

Android 17

Android 17 is now smarter and more capable than ever, thanks to Gemini Intelligence. Google/Screenshot by CNET

Android is Google's playground for showcasing the best of its AI features, though some may be exclusive to the new Pixel phones we expect later this year. Google detailed all of the features coming to the next version of the operating system during the Android Show this week, and the latest and greatest have yet to make it to the existing beta builds available today.

Google released the first beta version of Android 17, its phone operating system, back in February, and three additional betas have been released since, with the latest in mid-April. We can expect the latest version of the OS to be released in its final form sometime in June or July, shortly before we expect the next family of Pixel devices to be announced. For the past few years, new Pixel lineups have been announced in August during the Made by Google event.

So far, there are no blockbuster features in the Android 17 beta, but Google has introduced interesting tweaks throughout. One of the most interesting features so far is app bubbles, which let you quickly open any app in a floating window and dismiss it to a bubble on your screen.

Although we know most of what's to come in the latest version of Google's mobile operating system, there's still a good chance that we'll hear more during the I/O keynote.

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