With its 'Material 3 Expressive' design, Google aims to make Android 16 and Wear OS 6 livelier (and safer) environments.

It’ll come as no surprise that Gemini, Google’s AI, will play a big part in Android 16. However, it’s now moving beyond phones and coming to Wear OS, where it will replace Google Assistant. Gemini allows you to speak naturally, it can connect with a wide range of apps, and then pull required information from them.

With version 16 of the OS, we'll finally get subtle blurs and background shading. When you pull down the Notification Shade, instead of seeing a flat background, you'll get a subtle background blur and shading to give the UI more depth and movement.

I/O Edition, Google announced Material 3 Expressive, Gemini AI for Android Auto, and enhanced security controls.

Google says the stable version of Android 16 will start rolling out widely in June 16, rocking a fresh design and a bunch of new features.

After spotting early code for the functionality in March, Android Authority has managed to get it working in the latest beta build of Google’s RCS messaging app. For now it’s not triggering any extra notifications for people who get tagged though.

A week before the company's developer conference, 'The Android Show: I/O Edition' on May 13 will examine the next steps for Google’s mobile operating system.

Chinese smartphone giants are poised to shake up the mobile landscape with a bold move away from Google's Android. Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and OnePlus are