In case it wasn’t clear: Google is shoving AI into everything. On The Android Show, Google’s president of the Android ecosystem, Sameer Samat, said that Android is transforming from an operating system to an “intelligence system,” powered by Gemini. “This means deeply understanding your context, anticipating your needs, and getting things done on your behalf.”
To convey that intelligence, Android 17 is getting a minor facelift to “animate with purpose” when Gemini Intelligence is listening, thinking, and creating. The OS—sorry, intelligence system—will also have more agentic functionality, aka the ability to do tasks for you, like allegedly purchase concert tickets. It all looks and sounds convenient in demos, but whether users will embrace it or not is the big question.
The new Android Auto experience will also adapt to more screen sizes and shapes—like round and hexagonal displays. Navigation gets a revamp with 3D Google Maps that show buildings, overpasses, and terrain around your car. Lanes and stop signs are highlighted as well. Android Auto also has other new stuff like widgets (weather, contacts, and smart home controls) and the ability to watch YouTube videos in supported cars.
Oh, and Google redesigned Android’s emoji so that they have more detail.
It’s no Liquid Glass overhaul, but I’m genuinely excited to check out the new version of Android for Google’s various platforms. —Raymond Wong