Google's I/O 2026 keynote once again showcased a significant focus on artificial intelligence, unveiling comprehensive updates across its applications and AI models. The event highlighted a new family of Gemini 3.5 AI models, enhanced features for Google Search and Gmail, and progress on its Project Aura smart glasses.
For those who missed the live presentations, a detailed overview of all the key announcements from the event is provided below.
Among the updated AI models launched at I/O, Gemini 3.5 Flash takes center stage, with Gemini 3.5 Pro slated for release next month. As of today, Gemini 3.5 Flash is the default model for the Gemini app and AI Mode in Search. Google states that this new model offers significantly increased speed, improved proficiency in handling agentic tasks, and enhanced agentic coding capabilities. It is also designed to generate "richer, more interactive web UIs and graphics." Furthermore, Google has incorporated improved guardrails, aiming to make Gemini 3.5 Flash less prone to generating harmful content and to reduce instances of mistakenly flagging safe queries as unsafe.
Complementing the release of Gemini 3.5 Flash, Google is also rolling out a redesigned Gemini app interface. Dubbed "neural expressive," the new aesthetic incorporates fresh animations, vibrant color accents, an updated font, and haptic feedback. This redesign will become available starting May 19th on the web and through the Gemini app on both Android and iOS platforms.
Beyond Gemini 3.5, Google introduced an entirely new suite of AI models known as Gemini Omni. The inaugural model, Omni Flash, is launching today within the Gemini app, Google Flow, and YouTube Shorts. Initially, Omni Flash is capable of generating video clips from prompts that integrate diverse inputs including text, photos, video, and audio—a significant advancement compared to Google’s Veo model, which is limited to text-to-video generation. Google's long-term vision for Omni is to "create anything from any input."
Google also presented Gemini Spark, an always-on AI agent designed to automate tasks such as drafting emails, creating study guides, and monitoring for hidden credit card fees. Powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, Gemini Spark operates continuously in the background using virtual machines on Google Cloud. It integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace applications like Docs, Gmail, Sheets, and Slides, as well as third-party services such as Canva and Instacart. Future plans include expanding Spark’s functionality to include access to local files via the Gemini app on macOS.
A new feature will allow users to "vibe-code" entire native Android applications, which can then be published directly to the Play Store from AI Studio. This functionality incorporates an embedded Android emulator for viewing and editing app previews. Users can also connect their phone to install apps directly from AI Studio for testing purposes. Applications can be exported to Android Studio or GitHub, or saved as a ZIP file.
Google has indicated that it will "soon" enable users to publish these AI-generated apps exclusively for friends and family, prior to broader public release. Support for Firebase integrations is also anticipated at a later date.
An updated version of Google’s Project Aura smart glasses, developed in collaboration with Xreal, was showcased. While initially unveiled last year, the revised model features a redesigned external compute puck, now equipped with a fingerprint sensor and a lanyard for convenient wear. Demonstrations included new features within Google’s XR platform, such as widgets for display glasses, Gemini integrations with Google Calendar and Google Keep, and enhanced Gemini performance.
In addition to Project Aura, two new pairs of Android XR smart glasses are set to launch this fall, stemming from partnerships with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster announced at last year's I/O. These glasses will be audio-only, similar to the base Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, lacking a display. They will offer capabilities such as live translation, navigation assistance powered by Gemini, and notification summaries.
Google is introducing a "Universal Cart," allowing users to add products from various Google platforms including YouTube, Search, Gemini, and Gmail. This "intelligent shopping cart" functions across numerous merchants and services, such as Nike, Target, Walmart, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Wayfair, and Shopify, enabling users to consolidate purchases from multiple retailers and complete a single checkout.
The Universal Cart is also designed to identify potential issues with items, for instance, flagging incompatible components for a gaming PC. It can leverage perks and loyalty information from Google Wallet payment methods to help users discover savings or earn points. The Universal Cart will launch in Search and Gemini this summer, with YouTube and Gmail integration to follow later.
Gmail’s search capabilities are being augmented with a version of the Gemini Live experience for the inbox. By clicking an icon in the search bar, users can ask questions verbally, and the Gmail Live interface will extract and present relevant information based on the prompt, rather than requiring users to sift through email chains. This feature could, for example, expedite the retrieval of a specific hotel reservation confirmation code. Similar voice-driven AI functionalities will also extend to Google Docs and Keep, with the ability to draw data from Google Drive and Gmail.
Google Workspace is gaining a new application called Pics, designed to simplify the application of iterative AI-generated updates to images. Powered by Nano Banana 2 and Gemini, Pics enables users to make changes by directly clicking on a specific part of an image and leaving a descriptive comment, eliminating the need to compose elaborate prompts. Google intends to eventually integrate Pics’ capabilities into other Workspace apps to further streamline image editing workflows.
The Google search box is undergoing a transformation, expanding to accommodate longer queries and incorporating AI-generated suggestions, akin to autocomplete. Users will no longer be limited to text input; Google will now support text, images, files, videos, and even Chrome tabs as search inputs.
Search will also introduce "information agents," which provide summarized updates on specific topics or questions, drawing insights from blogs, news, social media posts, and more. These agents are scheduled for release this summer, initially for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.
Google’s new "generative UI" feature will enable Search to produce dynamic visuals, such as simulations or interactive tables and graphs. Furthermore, Search will soon be able to generate "mini apps" for recurring tasks or topics, such as a customized dashboard for event planning.
Last year at I/O 2025, Google’s premium AI Ultra subscription was introduced at $249.99 per month, offering access to advanced AI models, higher usage limits, and early access to new tools. Google is now aligning with OpenAI by introducing two new pricing tiers for AI Ultra. The subscription now begins at $100 per month, with a $200 per month option that includes access to Google’s Project Genie.
To enhance the identification and confirmation of AI-generated or altered images, Google is expanding its AI detection tools to Chrome and Search. Effective today, uploading or selecting online images within Search (including tools like Google Lens and Circle to Search) will reveal more details about their creation using Google’s SynthID watermarking technology and C2PA Content Credentials. Additional functionality within Chrome, allowing users to circle questionable images on websites to ascertain their provenance, will be rolled out later.
Following the renaming of Project Starline to Google Beam last year, Google is now exploring lifelike AI agents that offer more than just conversational interactions during calls. An early demonstration featured Sophie, a Beam video agent designed to foster more personable AI interactions. While Sophie did not appear in 3D, the agent could respond to questions, interpret documents held up to the camera, and provide information such as restaurant recommendations. The demo also included a preview of group calls using Beam, a feature under development for several years, which will be compatible with tools like Google Meet and Zoom.
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