Android is Google’s open-source mobile operating system; think of it like a public park compared to Apple’s walled garden. It dates back to 2007, and though its dessert-inspired version names were retired in 2019 for a straightforward numbering system, there will always be a special place in our hearts for an OS called “Oreo” and “Ice Cream Sandwich.
Does Google have what it takes to reinvent itself?
Google brought its gradient “G” logo to iPhones and Pixel devices earlier this week, but now it’s showing up more broadly across Android devices, as spotted by 9to5Google. The company still hasn’t officially acknowledged the change, but maybe it will give it a mention during I/O next week.
Alongside a shiny rebrand and airline integration, Google is expanding the range of trackers in its Find Hub network. But not with boring practicalities like better battery or more accurate tracking — no, we get Baby Yoda, thanks to a new set of Disney-themed tags from Pixbee.
Android XR didn’t get a lot of screen time at today’s Android Show — apart from confirmation that it’s going to get Gemini AI support — but Google promises that there’s more to come at the full Google I/O event next week.
Android president Sameer Samat even broke out the company’s prototype XR shades to promise some “really cool Android demos” to come. And as you can see, this is a man who knows what’s cool.
You’ll be able to share the location of trackers in its Find Hub network (formerly Find My Device) with airline staff when you need to find lost luggage, just like you already can with Apple’s AirTags. Support won’t arrive until “early next year” though, and only on five airlines — while Apple supports over 15.
Google is celebrating another RCS milestone, and this one’s a doozy: one billion messages sent in the US every day. Considering RCS had just reached one billion total monthly users at the end of 2023, it’s a big jump. That’s no doubt thanks to Apple turning on RCS support in iOS 18 and making it the default protocol when you’re not on iMessage. Sure doesn’t hurt!
Announced during today’s pre-I/O event, it’s called Material 3 Expressive. It adds more customization options and lots of colors and animations. It’ll drop as part of the Android 16 beta, which will also support Live Updates.
Everyone pretend like we didn’t just see it all last week.
We’re expecting to see Google’s colorful new design language as part of the Android pre-I/O show. New colors are fun! Fun is good! But I’m not sure Google can show us something “cool” enough to win the hearts of iPhone-loving teenagers.
Google’s designers want to capture the youth demo with a vibrant new OS treatment, but there’s only so much they can do.
The company is teasing its next launch, presumably the Xperia 1 VII, which it will reveal on May 13th (well, in Japan — it’ll be the evening of May 12th in the US). The teaser shows off a familiar design and some Alpha camera features.
Last’s year’s Xperia 1 VI never launched in the US, and with no US time zones mentioned, a repeat of that looks likely too.
