Google's annual I/O conference is just around the corner, and the company is already pulling back the curtain on a sweeping set of AI-driven changes coming to Android in 2026. Under the Gemini Intelligence banner, Google is set to introduce a range of features that promise more automation, personalization, and convenience across the smartphone experience. From app automations and AI-powered browsing to enhanced voice input and a redesigned Android Auto, the updates are positioned to fundamentally reshape how users interact with their devices.
The centerpiece of the announcement is a new generation of app automations. Google has been testing automation features since early 2026 with partners like DoorDash and Uber on Pixel and Samsung phones. While the initial rollout was met with user frustration—largely due to reliability issues—the company says it has since refined the system to handle more complex, multi-step tasks. The vision is for Android to act as a personal assistant that can seamlessly move between apps to complete workflows. For example, a user might have a course syllabus arrive in Gmail; the AI could then extract the required textbooks, open a shopping app, and add the necessary items to the cart. Similarly, snapping a picture of a travel brochure could trigger a booking request in Expedia, with Gemini handling the details. These automations will initially be limited to select categories—food delivery, grocery ordering, and ride-hailing—while other tasks will fall to Chrome's capabilities.
Speaking of Chrome, Android is getting the desktop's Auto Browse feature, now powered by Gemini. Auto Browse debuted on desktop Chrome several months ago and is headed to Android later in June for devices running Android 12 and above. The feature uses powerful cloud-based Gemini models to parse webpages and execute multi-step tasks on the user's behalf. For instance, it could fill out forms, compare prices, or even complete a purchase. While initial impressions of the desktop version were lukewarm—speed and accuracy were inconsistent—Google is optimistic that mobile-optimized pages will yield better results. Users can either watch the AI navigate or let it run in the background, only stepping in when sensitive actions require authorization.
The Autofill system is also getting an AI upgrade. The enhanced Autofill with Google will tap into Gemini's Personal Intelligence to fill in more than just standard contact details. It will learn additional personal information—such as a car's license plate number—and populate it automatically when encountered in online forms. Google emphasizes that this feature is entirely opt-in, ensuring users who prefer the traditional autofill experience can keep it unchanged.
Gemini Intelligence extends to home screen widgets with a new feature called Create My Widget. These are not the flashy, dynamic widgets some rumored, but rather utilitarian tools that display data from your Google account or the web. Users can create a widget that recommends meal plans on a schedule, sets a countdown to an event, or even combines a countdown with specific weather metrics. Android will offer suggested templates, but users can also enter a text prompt to describe exactly what they want. All widgets will follow Material You theming and be resizable, ensuring consistency with the overall interface.
Voice input is getting a substantial boost with Rambler, integrated directly into Gboard. Many people already use AI to polish written text before sending; Rambler applies the same concept to spoken input. Users can simply start talking—rambling, as the name suggests—and the AI will strip out ums, uhs, and filler words, producing a coherent summary of what was said. Google claims Rambler retains the speaker's nuance and context, so the final result still sounds natural. A prominent indicator will show when Rambler is active, and the company promises that neither audio nor text will be stored or retained after processing.
The driving experience is also getting a major overhaul. Android Auto will soon adapt to any display shape or size, filling oddly shaped car screens completely. The interface is being redesigned with Material 3 Expressive themes and a new navigation experience called Immersive Navigation, which was previewed earlier in the year. Widgets for contacts, weather, and select third-party apps will make accessing information easier while driving. For cars with Google built-in, the vehicle's cameras will integrate with Maps to provide more accurate lane guidance. Gemini will also answer questions about the car's status, such as warning lights and cargo capacity.
Media apps in Android Auto have remained largely unchanged for years, but 2026 introduces significant updates. YouTube Music and Spotify are getting redesigned interfaces optimized for in-car use, and video playback is finally coming to the platform—but only when the vehicle is parked. Supported cars from BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Škoda, Tata, and Volvo will enable seamless switching to audio-only mode once driving begins, though this requires automaker cooperation for safety and technical reasons.
All these changes arrive with barely a mention of Android 17, the next major version slated for June. Most of the new features will be delivered via Play Services, app updates, or device-specific partnerships with brands like Pixel and Samsung. However, Android 17 itself does bring some exclusive enhancements. Camera capabilities on flagship devices will improve, with better video quality in social media apps like Instagram, screen reaction overlays, native Ultra HDR support, stabilization, and Night Mode in the Instagram Edits app. Security gets a boost with enhanced lost device features that require both PIN and biometric unlock to disable quick settings or block new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. A new location access option allows sharing precise location only for the current session, and a location indicator will alert users when an app accesses location data. Digital Wellbeing gains a Pause Point feature, adding a 10-second cooldown timer to distracting apps.
Finally, Google has redesigned its emoji set with a more detailed 3D appearance—though the beloved blob emoji remain retired. The new emoji will first appear on Pixel devices over the summer, with other Android 17 devices following later in the year. However, most device manufacturers create their own emoji, so users may only encounter Google's new designs within apps like YouTube and Gmail.
Source: Ars Technica News