13 big announcements at Google I/O 2026

Google’s I/O 2026 keynote today is also packed with AI-related announcements including the new Gemini 3.5 AI family, new features for Search and Gmail, and updates to Project Aura smart glasses.

If you haven’t already listen to what is happening today or follow along with our live blogyou can find anything you missed in our listing below.

Google launched updated versions of AI at I/O, starting with Gemini 3.5 Flash, with Gemini 3.5 Pro following next month. Starting today, Gemini 3.5 Flash will be the default version of Gemini software and AI Mode for research. Google says the new version is faster, handles older tasks better, offers more texting capabilities, and creates “richer, more interactive web and graphics UIs.” It has also implemented security measures that, according to Google, will make Gemini 3.5 Flash less likely to generate malicious content and less likely to accidentally flag security queries as insecure.

Along with Gemini 3.5 Flash, Google is also introducing an update to the Gemini software. The new interface, which Google calls “neural expressive,” features new animations, pops of color, new textures, and haptic feedback. It will launch from May 19 online and in the Gemini app on Android and iOS.

Along with Gemini 3.5, Google is introducing a new family of AI models that it calls Gemini Omni. The first, Omni Flash, launches today in the Gemini app, Google Flow, and YouTube Shorts. At launch, Omni Flash will be able to create videos from information that includes a variety of inputs including text, images, video, and audio (unlike the example of Google Veo, which only records videos). Bottom line, Google says the Omni will be able to “create anything from any accessory.”

The new AI assistant that can always write emails, create study guides, and keep an eye on your credit card’s hidden charges is Google’s ‘we’ve got OpenClaw at home.’ Powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, Gemini Spark works in the background using a live engine on Google Cloud 24/7 and can connect to Google Workspace apps including Docs, Gmail, Sheets, and Slides, as well as other apps like Canva and Instacart. Google also plans to expand Spark’s capabilities with local file access via the Gemini app on macOS.

Google will allow users to vibe-code all Android apps now, which they can publish to the Play Store directly from AI Studio. This feature includes a built-in Android emulator to view and edit app previews. Users can also connect their phone to install their software from AI Studio for testing. Apps can be uploaded to Android Studio or GitHub, or saved as a ZIP file.

Google says it will “soon” allow users to publish vibe-based apps to friends and family only, instead of publicly. Support for Firebase integration is coming later.

Google unveiled the latest version of its Project Aura smart glasses, which it is partnering with Xreal. Glasses were first was revealed last yearbut SeasideVictoria’s Secret took a look at the latest edition of I/O. The outer glass puck has been redesigned, and a finger attachment has been added to it (along with a lanyard so you can wear the puck. and glasses). We also got to test some of the new features on Google’s XR platform, including mirror widgets, the integration of Gemini with Google Calendar and Google Keep, and the success of Gemini.

Along with Project Aura, two Android XR smart glasses are launching this fall, one from Warby Parker and the other from Gentle Monster. Google has announced a partnership with both brands at last year’s I/Oand now we know what the glasses will look like. Similar to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, these will be passive only (no display). They will support things like the latest translations, help with navigation with Gemini, and information summaries.

Google is introducing a “Universal Cart” to which users can add items from YouTube, Search, Gemini, and Gmail. Google says this “smart shopping cart” works for a variety of brands and services, including Nike, Target, Walmart, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Wayfair, and Shopify. So, you can add items from Nike and Target to your Universal Cart and see both at the same time.

According to Google, Universal Cart can detect potential problems with items in your cart, as well as, if you install incompatible parts on a gaming PC. It may also interpret the benefits and integrity of Google Wallet payment methods to help users earn savings or earn points. Universal Cart is launching Search and Gemini this summer, with YouTube and Gmail coming later.

Google is expanding Gmail’s already powerful search tools with the Gemini Live version delivered right to your inbox. Clicking on the icon in the search bar allows you to ask questions by speaking and instead of looking at a list of important messages, the Gmail Live feature removes and sends you the right information based on your needs. It can be a quick way to pull a hotel reservation confirmation number, for example. Voice-driven AI features will also be coming to Google Docs and Keep with the ability to pull notifications from Google Drive and Gmail.

Google Workspace is getting a new app called Pics designed to make it easier to apply AI-generated changes to photos. Images are controlled by Nano Banana 2 and Gemini and allow users to edit by clicking on a certain part of the image and leaving a comment explaining the changes, instead of quickly writing everything that includes the necessary changes. Eventually, Google plans to integrate the Pics feature into other Workspace apps to improve photo editing.

Google is changing the search box. It will now expand to give users more options for longer queries and include AI-generated suggestions, similar to autocomplete. Users don’t just search with text, either – Google lets you use text, images, files, videos, and even Chrome tabs as input.

Search is also finding “information agents,” who can provide you with quick updates on topics or questions, from blogs, articles, social media articles, and more. These agents will launch this summer, starting with AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.

Google’s new “UI” features can create visuals in Search, such as comparisons or interactive tables and graphs. Search will also be able to create “sub-programs” for tasks or topics that users search for multiple times, such as a dashboard for planning an event.

When it was it was launched last year at I/O 2025Google’s premium AI Ultra subscription costs $249.99 per month to get access to its most advanced AI models, higher usage limits, and access to new tools. Google is now introducing two new AI Ultra pricing tiers to support OpenAI. It now starts at $100 per month, while the $200 per month option includes access Google’s Project Genie.

In an effort to make it easier for people to recognize and verify images created or edited by AI, Google is expanding its AI detection tools to Chrome and Search. Starting today, uploading or selecting images online with Search (including tools like Google Lens and Circle to Search) can reveal information about how or where the image was created. Google’s SynthID watermarking technology and C2PA Content Marks. Additional functions through Chrome that allow you to circle suspicious images on web pages to check their authenticity come later.

After rebranding Project Starline to Google Beam last yearGoogle is now experimenting with AI assistants that can do more than just talk to you on a call. SeasideSean Hollister had to try Sophie’s first show; Beam’s video assistant is designed to interact with AI for a more immersive experience. Even Sophie doesn’t appear in 3D if you’re talking to someone using it $25,000 HP Dimension systemthe assistant can answer questions, read notes on the camera, and check things like restaurant recommendations. At our presentation, Google also demonstrated group calls using Beam – a feature that has been around for a few years and will work with tools like Google Meet and Zoom.