Google is set to implement one of the most significant visual updates to Android in recent years with the introduction of Material Three Expressive. Interestingly, this announcement was made ahead of the company’s annual developer conference, I/O, during a pre-event broadcast on YouTube. This raises the question: if such a notable design overhaul doesn’t headline I/O, what will? The answer appears to be artificial intelligence.
During I/O, which starts on Tuesday, attention is anticipated to be heavily focused on Gemini and its advancements, as well as its integration into a wide range of consumer products.
This focus on AI at I/O will not come as a surprise to those who have followed previous keynotes. In 2023, Android received minimal mention, while CEO Sundar Pichai repeatedly emphasized AI in a manner that became almost rhetorically excessive. Last year’s discussion mirrored this trend, with Pichai even tallying instances of AI references. Such patterns indicate a broader industry shift towards rapidly deploying AI features, a trend that has intensified across the tech sector.
However, the reduced focus on the latest Android operating system at I/O can be seen as advantageous.
In recent years, Google has prioritized delivering new features to a broader range of devices, ensuring that even those running older operating systems can benefit. Smartphone manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola often have their own schedules for OS updates, hence Google’s updates via Google Play and app enhancements aim to reach users more swiftly. This change addresses past criticisms regarding slow feature rollouts that left many Android users behind. Additionally, this year, Google has revamped its scheduling for Android 16, moving to a significant release in the second quarter and a minor one in the fourth, which should facilitate broader feature accessibility across devices.
Yet, if this year’s I/O indeed becomes predominantly an AI showcase, it risks redundancy with past events.
Over the last two years, tech companies have inundated audiences with AI-centric developments, frequently previewing features that seem just on Technology News of release. However, real-world deployment has sometimes fallen short, as seen in Apple’s recent struggles.
Nevertheless, Google has successfully rolled out a variety of AI features across its platforms, which include anticipated releases related to its XR platform and updates on services such as Chrome, Gmail, and Meet. This variety offers significant coverage for the company at I/O.
There is a growing sentiment that the promises surrounding AI’s potential to enhance productivity are beginning to wear thin. Nonetheless, Google’s decision to allow Android to take center stage prior to the main event is commendable, especially when compared to past approaches where the platform received only fleeting mentions amid discussions of AI advancements.
