Google's Android Show: from Googlebooks to vibe-coded widgets

During Google's virtual Android Show: I/O Edition on Tuesday, the company revealed a range of upcoming updates and features. These include enhanced Gemini Intelligence capabilities, a new laptop line called Googlebooks, and other Android improvements such as vibe-coded widgets, Gemini integration in Chrome, and refreshed emoji.

These announcements come just before Google's annual developer conference later this month, which — like last year — will largely focus on artificial intelligence.

We've gathered all the key announcements from Google's event below.

Googlebooks

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Google introduced Googlebooks, a new laptop line built around Gemini at its core. The company is collaborating with partners such as Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo to produce the first Googlebooks in various designs and sizes.

According to Google, Googlebooks — arriving this fall — are the first laptops built from the ground up for Gemini Intelligence, providing personalized and proactive assistance.

These laptops will come with "Magic Pointer," a new cursor infused with Gemini, along with Android phone compatibility that lets users access their phone apps directly from the Googlebook, the ability to create custom widgets, and more.

Create My Widget

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Google announced a new "Create My Widget" feature that allows users to vibe-code their own custom widgets. This feature will first roll out on the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones this summer.

Users can create widgets by describing their needs in natural language. For instance, you could ask the feature to "suggest three high-protein meal prep recipes every week," and it will generate a custom dashboard that you can add to your home screen and resize.

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Updates to Android Auto

Android Auto is receiving an update that adds more personalization, widgets, and an edge-to-edge display to fit any dashboard screen — whether ultrawide, circular, or unconventional shapes. Users can add widgets to view their most important information at a glance, even while navigating.

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Media apps including YouTube Music and Spotify will also feature redesigned interfaces, making them simpler to use while driving.

Additionally, for the first time in Android Auto, you'll be able to watch videos from apps like YouTube in 60fps full HD on supported vehicles later this year. This will initially be available in cars from BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Škoda, Tata, and Volvo.

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Google announced that Gemini is now widely rolling out on Android Auto, enabling drivers to ask questions, brainstorm ideas, or learn about topics hands-free while driving. The company also stated that users will soon be able to place food orders from the car, starting with DoorDash.

3D Emoji

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Google revealed that all 4,000 Android emojis have been refined to be more true-to-life. Rolling out later this year, the updated emojis are designed to feel less flat and more expressive and realistic.

Features for creators

Android is introducing a "Screen Reactions" feature that simultaneously records you and your screen — a format popular on TikTok and Instagram Reels. This feature will first roll out on Pixel devices this summer.

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Google has also partnered with Meta to bring the best of Instagram to Android devices, including Ultra HDR, native stabilization, and night mode. Additionally, the company optimized the capture-to-upload pipeline to keep your photos and videos sharp when posted.

The tech giant is introducing new tools to Meta's Edit app, exclusive to Android, including "smart enhance" for upscaling photos and "sound separation" for boosting and removing sounds.

Gemini’s agentic features

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With Gemini Intelligence, the assistant can extract data from one app and carry out multistep actions across multiple apps. For example, you could snap a photo of an event flyer and ask the assistant to locate that event on sites like Expedia.

Users can also summon the assistant while viewing their grocery list on screen and ask it to create a cart with those items in their preferred shopping app.

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Gemini in Chrome

Google is now bringing Gemini in Chrome to Android, following earlier launches on iOS and desktop. This allows users to summarize web content or ask questions about the page they're viewing. Android users will also gain the experimental auto-browse feature, which can navigate websites and perform tasks such as booking a ticket on behalf of the user.

Form filling

Gemini will leverage data from Personal Intelligence to help users fill out complex forms on mobile via an opt-in feature.

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Dictation

Google introduced a new Gboard feature called Rambler that converts your speech into polished text — similar to apps like Wispr Flow and Monologue. It removes filler words such as "ums" and "ahs" and can understand corrections mid-sentence, so saying "Let's meet at 3 PM… um, 2 PM" results in "Let's meet at 2 PM."

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Extended AirDrop support

Last year, Google enabled Pixel phones to share photos and files with iPhones by making Quick Share compatible with AirDrop. This year, the feature will extend to users of other smartphone brands, including Samsung, Oppo,
OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Honor.

Moreover, if you don't have a compatible device, you can use Quick Share on any device to generate a QR code, enabling file sharing to an iPhone via the cloud.

Additionally, Google announced that soon users will be able to access Quick Share directly within apps like WhatsApp.

Easier iPhone to Android transfer

Google plans to introduce a new iOS-to-Android transfer tool that allows you to import passwords, photos, messages, favorite apps, contacts, eSIM, and your home screen layout from your iPhone to a new Android phone. This feature will launch on Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices this year.

Pause Point

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A new Android feature lets you pause when opening an app you've marked as a distraction. Before you can scroll, play games, or engage in other time-wasting activities, you'll be required to take a 10-second break and presented with alternative choices — such as opening your Google Play Books app to read. You can also optionally set a timer that blocks you from using the app before you start.

Improved threat protection features

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Google is also rolling out its default-on theft protection features to all Android users worldwide, following earlier tests in Brazil. These features will be enabled by default on all new Android 17 devices, as well as freshly reset devices or those upgraded to the latest OS.

When activated, features such as Remote Lock and Theft Detection Lock will be automatically turned on. Google is also reducing the number of attempts a thief can make to guess your PIN or password, with longer delays between failed attempts. Additionally, law enforcement will now be able to view the device's IMEI from the lock screen on Android 12 and above, helping them quickly verify ownership if the device is stolen.

Furthermore, theft protection will extend to devices running Android 10 and above in select markets, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

Pixel users with updated software and Advanced Protection Mode enabled now receive Intrusion Logging, a security feature that helps investigate suspected spyware attacks and device compromises.