Google I/O is only a few weeks away, but in keeping with a semi-recent tradition, the folks at Mountain View are kicking things off early by livestreaming the Android Show: I/O Edition on May 12 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
Although Google hasn’t released many details about what it plans to show, the company says 2026 “will be one of the most important years for Android yet.” Currently, we expect to hear more about the next big Android update (version 17), as well as some AI upgrades and maybe even some upcoming hardware spikes. Gemini and agentic AI are expected to be a major theme for this year (although Google may save much of this news for the I/O itself), while rumors suggest we could see new features such as the ability to remap game controllers and run apps in bubbles for improved multitasking. There have also been major rumors about combining Android and ChromeOS into one unified platform.
Plus, after unveiling Android XR at I/O last year, I hope to hear a lot more information about Google’s next batch of smart glasses. The company has already announced partnerships with existing eyewear makers including Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, and after having the opportunity to try out some of Google’s early reference models, I think 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for smart glasses as a whole. Alternatively, for anyone tired of too much AI news, the Android Show could be a welcome escape for those who care more about hardware and software than machine learning.
The best part is that Google streams the event for free on YouTube and the main Android homepage. So put a reminder in your calendar and come back next week for all our in-depth coverage of all things Android on May 12.