Google held its annual developer conference, Google I/O 2026, on May 19 and 20 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.

This year’s event was overwhelmingly focused on artificial intelligence. From the opening keynote, CEO Sundar Pichai made it clear that Google is rebuilding nearly every major product around Gemini, the company’s family of AI models.

The central theme throughout the conference was AI that does more than answer questions. Google wants AI systems that can actively work on behalf of users across search, productivity, shopping, Android, and developer tools.

Here is a full breakdown of everything Google announced.

What is Google I/O?

Google I/O is the company’s annual developer conference. It launched in 2008 and has become one of the technology industry’s biggest annual events.

Google uses the conference to unveil major software updates, AI models, developer tools, Android features, and experimental hardware before wider public rollouts.

This year’s keynote was streamed globally and watched live by tens of thousands of developers, creators, and technology enthusiasts.

Google I/O 2026 took place at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, close to Google’s headquarters.

The keynote began on May 19 at 1 p.m. ET (6 p.m. BST / 7 p.m. WAT). Google said on-demand sessions and codelabs would become available from May 21.

1. AI and Gemini

Gemini 3.5 Flash becomes the default AI model

Google launched Gemini 3.5 Flash as the default model across the Gemini app and AI Mode in Search.

The company said the model runs four times faster than comparable frontier systems while costing less than half the price.

It is available globally now, including in Nigeria, at no extra cost on the free tier.

Gemini 3.5 Pro launches next month

Google confirmed Gemini 3.5 Pro is currently in internal testing and will launch in June 2026.

Gemini Omni handles text, images, audio, and video

Demis Hassabis introduced Gemini Omni, a multimodal model capable of processing text, images, audio, and video while also generating video output.

The model is now available inside the Gemini app, Google Flow, and YouTube Shorts for AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers.

Developer API access is expected within weeks.

Gemini Spark becomes Google’s always-on AI agent

One of Google’s biggest announcements was Gemini Spark, a persistent AI agent that continues working even when devices are locked.

Spark can:

• Monitor Gmail for deadlines
• Detect recurring subscriptions in bank statements
• Generate meeting summaries
• Draft emails from voice notes

The feature launches first for U.S. AI Ultra subscribers paying $100 per month.

Daily Brief creates personalised morning summaries

Google introduced Daily Brief, a Gemini-powered morning digest that pulls information from Gmail, Calendar, and Tasks.

The feature is rolling out now to AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra users in the United States.

Gemini app redesign rolls out globally

The Gemini app on Android, iOS, and the web received a full visual overhaul.

Google calls the redesign “Neural Expressive.” It includes:

• A pill-shaped prompt box
• Inline multimedia responses
• Haptic feedback
• Fluid animations
• Inline Gemini Live interactions

The redesign is rolling out globally now.

Usage limits change across Gemini

Google is replacing daily prompt limits with rolling five-hour reset windows.

More advanced prompts, including video generation and coding tasks, will consume larger portions of usage allowances.

Project Genie now connects to Street View

Google DeepMind’s Project Genie can now generate interactive virtual environments using real Street View imagery.

The feature currently supports U.S. Street View data only and is available to $200 AI Ultra subscribers aged 18 and above.

SynthID watermarking expands

Google is bringing SynthID AI watermark detection into Search and Chrome.

Users will soon be able to right-click images and check whether they were AI-generated.

Pichai said SynthID has already watermarked more than 100 billion AI-generated assets.

OpenAI, Kakao, and ElevenLabs are adopting the system.

Gemini for Science launches

Google unveiled Gemini for Science, a research toolkit connected to more than 30 life-science databases.

The tools are available through GitHub and Google’s Antigravity platform.

Google announces TPU 8t and 8i AI chips

Google unveiled its new TPU 8t and 8i chips.

The 8t chip focuses on AI training workloads, while the 8i handles inference.

Google said the chips deliver up to twice the performance per watt compared with previous generations.

2. Google Search

Search receives its biggest upgrade in decades

Google described the redesigned Search experience as its largest update in over 25 years.

The Search box now supports:

• Images
• Files
• Videos
• Chrome tabs
• Text inputs

The experience is already live globally, including Nigeria.

Information Agents monitor topics automatically

Google introduced personalised agents that continuously monitor news, blogs, social posts, and live data around selected topics.

The feature launches this summer for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.

Search can build mini apps

Users will soon be able to generate dashboards and trackers directly inside Search for tasks like event planning or moving homes.

The feature launches in the coming months in the United States first.

Generative UI comes to Search

Search will now create dynamic visual layouts and interactive simulations for complex questions instead of showing only traditional links.

Google said the feature launches free for all users this summer.

Personal Intelligence excludes Nigeria

Google announced wider rollout plans for Personal Intelligence, which connects Gmail and Google Photos to Search AI experiences.

However, Nigeria remains excluded from the launch list.

Google also excluded:

• The European Economic Area
• Switzerland
• The United Kingdom

No launch date was provided for Nigeria.

3. Google Workspace and Productivity

Docs Live lets users speak to documents

Docs Live allows users to create and edit Google Docs using voice conversations.

Gemini can pull context from Gmail, Drive, Chat, and the web.

The feature launches this summer globally in English for AI Pro and Ultra users.

Gmail Live adds voice inbox search

Users can ask Gmail questions such as:
“What is my flight gate number?”

The feature launches this summer in the U.S.

Google Keep gains voice AI organisation

Google Keep will automatically split spoken notes into structured lists and separate entries.

The feature launches this summer.

AI Inbox expands

Google expanded AI Inbox support to AI Plus and Pro subscribers.

Google Pics launches

Google introduced Google Pics, a standalone AI image editing platform.

Users can:

• Move people inside photos
• Replace objects
• Change clothing colours
• Edit backgrounds

The platform launches this summer for $200 AI Ultra subscribers in the United States.

4. Shopping

Universal Cart launches across Google

Google unveiled Universal Cart, a shared shopping cart that works across:

• Search
• Gemini
• Gmail
• YouTube

The system tracks:

• Price drops
• Restocks
• Compatibility warnings
• Loyalty rewards

Launch partners include:

• Nike
• Sephora
• Target
• Walmart
• Wayfair

Universal Commerce Protocol expands

Google’s checkout protocol is expanding into Canada and Australia before reaching the United Kingdom later.

The system will also expand into hotels and food delivery.

Agent Payments Protocol launches

Google announced AP2, a system that allows AI agents to make purchases on behalf of users within pre-approved limits.

5. YouTube

Ask YouTube launches

YouTube introduced Ask YouTube, a conversational search feature that jumps directly to moments inside videos answering user questions.

The feature is available now for YouTube Premium users in the U.S.

Gemini Omni expands into YouTube Shorts

Gemini Omni is now integrated into YouTube Shorts Remix and YouTube Create.

YouTube Premium Lite joins AI Pro

Google AI Pro subscribers in select countries will receive YouTube Premium Lite at no additional cost.

6. Android and Hardware

Android Halo visualises AI agents

Google introduced Android Halo, a glowing interface element showing live AI activity happening in the background.

The feature launches later this year.

Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm unveil Android XR glasses

Google partnered with Samsung and Qualcomm on Android XR smart glasses.

The glasses support:

• Gemini conversations
• Live translation
• Navigation
• Photo capture
• Messaging

Two versions are planned:

• Audio glasses
• Display glasses

Android 17 embeds Gemini into the system

Android 17 includes:

• AI-generated widgets
• Improved voice dictation
• Scam call detection
• Theft protection
• Malware scanning
• Post-quantum cryptography

The stable release is expected in June 2026.

Googlebook becomes Google’s AI laptop category

Google announced Googlebook, a premium AI-first laptop category positioned above Chromebooks.

The devices will launch through:

• Acer
• Asus
• Dell
• HP
• Lenovo

They run a new operating system internally known as Aluminium OS.

7. Developer Tools

Antigravity 2.0 expands

Google upgraded its Antigravity platform with:

• Desktop tools
• Command-line support
• Privacy controls

Google demonstrated the platform live by building a minimal operating system capable of running Doom.

Managed Agents arrive in Gemini API

Developers can now create persistent Gemini agents using a single API call.

The agents can:

• Run code
• Use tools
• Maintain memory across sessions

AI Studio generates Android apps from prompts

Google AI Studio can now generate Android apps from plain English descriptions.

Developers can preview apps inside browser emulators and publish directly to Google Play testing tracks.

Google AI Studio comes to Android

Google announced a mobile AI Studio app for Android.

iOS pre-registration is already open.

Free first deployments arrive on Google Cloud

New developers can deploy their first two applications on Google Cloud Run without providing payment details.

8. Google Play

Ask Play introduces AI recommendations

Google launched Ask Play, a Gemini-powered Play Store assistant.

Users can describe what they want and receive summarised app recommendations with follow-up support.

Play Games Sidekick expands globally

Google expanded Play Games Sidekick into more titles and added social features.

The service now supports more than 90 games.

Gemini starts recommending Play content on the web

Gemini will soon surface Play Store content outside the Play app itself, including:

• Movies
• TV titles
• Sports streams

9. Google AI Subscription Changes

Google restructured its AI subscription lineup.

Google AI Plus

• Price: $7.99/month
• New additions:
  • Daily Brief
  • AI Inbox

Google AI Pro

• Price: $19.99/month
• Includes YouTube Premium Lite in select markets

Google AI Ultra ($100)

• New plan
• Includes:
  • Gemini Spark
  • Higher usage limits
  • Priority model access

Google AI Ultra ($200)

• Price reduced from $250 to $200
• Includes:
  • Project Genie access
  • Full YouTube Premium
  • 20x Pro usage limits

Release Dates at a Glance