Google I/O 2021: Here’s what to expect – Android 12, Fuchsia OS, new products and more
Last year, Google’s annual developer conference I/O was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the company announced that the event will be held again. Google officials announced that 2021’s I/O conference online keynote speech will begin at 1:00 pm Eastern Time on May 18 and many new products and services will be announced.
At an investor conference, Google and its parent company Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said that “Our product launch is returning to normal rhythm. What is particularly exciting is that the developer conference I/O is back this year. It is held in a virtual online format and is free to everyone. We will release important product updates and announcements. I sincerely invite everyone to pay attention!”
In the official description of the keynote speech, Google was vague about what might be announced, saying only: “Please stay tuned to understand how we are advancing our mission of organizing world information and making it universally accessible and useful.”
Based on rumors and speculation, we can predict the new products that Google may show at this event:
Android 12
Android is the key to Google’s ecosystem and always takes center stage at I/O conferences from a software development perspective. As always, Google is likely to use the keynote speech of the I/O Developer Conference to describe the details of the latest version of Android OS, Android 12.
So far, Google release three Developer Preview versions of Android 12, the third build is the most stable so far and includes developer-centric features. Moving on, Google may show the new features of Android 12 at the I/O conference, like major UI improvements such as the new lock screen, material design, and so on.
Google main service update
Google could also use the I/O conference to showcase major updates in its services and software. In the previous I/O conferences, Google released the incognito mode of Google Maps, a new smart assistant, and Google Duplex demo. As the past year, the search engine giant may introduce many exciting and new features this year.
Wearables, Wear OS
For a long time, Wear OS has made people feel that it is a failed product. Even rebranding, changing faces, and adding more hardware partners have hardly changed this fact. But please note that this year’s I/O will be Google’s first major developer event after the completion of the Fitbit acquisition. Google Xi’an wants to show its talents in wearable devices and the fitness business.
Aside from this, the US tech giant could also unveil Fuchsia OS, new hearable products, smartphones, and innovations. We will keep you posted on this story, stay tuned!
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Samsung has started rolling out the April 2025 Google Play System update for Galaxy devices, starting with the Galaxy S25 series. The company will soon expand this update to more Galaxy devices.
April 2025 Google Play System update for the Galaxy S25 series improves some functions to provide a better Galaxy experience. It brings several improvements across Android components to improve device performance, connectivity, and user experience.
Android WebView enhances privacy, security, and web content support in apps, though some features may be experimental. Google Play services v25.15 includes system updates that improve battery life, storage, and privacy.
Moreover, Google Wallet now lets users add new card types to Wear devices and shows transit passes in Maps. It enhances receipt and transit card experiences, especially in Australia.
Google Play Store v45.9 introduces app video previews in search, promotional notifications during onboarding, and game updates on the home page. Also, Android System Intelligence v26 and Private Compute Services v25 focus on backend upgrades, including storage, API changes, and maintenance.
Earlier April updates added Quick Share previews, better location settings UI, improved setup tools, and new Wallet features like card nicknames and developer tools. These updates aim to improve device performance, connectivity, and user experience across Android devices.
You can download the latest April 2025 Play System Update by going to Settings >> Security and Privacy >> Updates >> Google Play System Update. If you’re using a Galaxy S25, it’s recommended to install the update now for the best performance and latest features.
Android 16 Beta is now available for several devices across OEMs. Google recently released Android 16 Beta 4, the second Platform Stability build. The company also announced that apps compatible with the new OS will now be available on the Play Store.
Google first released Android 16 Developer Preview and Public Beta for Pixel phones. Now, with the Beta 4 release, the new operating system is available for select devices from a range of Android OEMs such as Xiaomi, OPPO, and OnePlus.
The Google Pixel 6 series and newer Pixel models are also eligible for the Beta Program. The early access is an opportunity to test and experience the upcoming OS ahead of its public release, scheduled for early June this year.
Android 16 Beta is available for these devices
- HONOR: MagicOS Global and MagicOS China running on HONOR Magic 7 Pro
- Lenovo: ZUI running on YOGA Tab Plus
- OnePlus: Oxygen OS and Color OS for OnePlus running on OnePlus 13
- OPPO: Color OS Global and Color OS China for OPPO Find X8
- realme: realme UI Global and realme UI China for realme GT 7 Pro
- vivo and iQOO: Funtouch OS and Origin OS running on
- iQOO 13
- vivo X200 Pro
- Xiaomi and Redmi: Hyper OS Global and Hyper OS China (both requiring an unlocked bootloader), running on
- Xiaomi 14T Pro
- Xiaomi 15
- Redmi K70 Ultra
Samsung usually remains absent from core Android Beta testing. The company will run its own Beta Program as part of the One UI 8. It is expected to be available in the third quarter, with a Stable update could launch in the fourth quarter.
Source – Google / Android Developers
Android 16 Release Timeline:
- Developer Preview 1: November 19, 2024
- Developer Preview 2: December 18, 2024
- Beta 1: January 23, 2025
- Beta 2: February 13, 2025
- Beta 3: March 13, 2025 (Platform Stability)
- Beta 4: April 2025
- Stable Release: Expected June 2025 (Google I/O, May 20, 2025, may provide updates)
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Google is working on a big redesign for its Quick Share feature, which helps Android users send and receive files with nearby devices. It looks like Google is trying to make Quick Share easier to use and better to look at.
The new design was found in the latest beta version of Google Play Services version 25.15.31 via AssembleDebug. It brings a cleaner and more modern look, possibly inspired by Google’s upcoming Material 3 Expressive design.
In the revamped Quick Share design, the main screen now shows two big buttons – Send and Receive. When you tap Receive, your device becomes visible to others nearby for a short time, so they can send you files more easily. Only your device name will be shown to everyone, but your profile photo will only be visible to your contacts.
Moreover, the Quick Settings panel also changes. When you tap it, it will take you straight to the Receive screen, saving you a few steps. This makes the process faster when you quickly want to get a file from someone nearby.
The settings menu for Quick Share has also been updated. It now sits under a three-dot menu in the top-right corner, keeping things simple and tidy.
Even though Google hasn’t officially announced this redesign, it looks almost ready. That means we might see it rolled out soon in a future update. However, since it’s still being tested, there’s always a chance it might not be released.
Aside from this, One UI 8’s leaked hands-on video also revealed that the next update will change the Quick Share design to make it more useful and clearer.
One UI 8 hands-on video shows what’s changing in Samsung’s Android 16 update
Google kicked off the Android 16 Beta 4 rollout for Pixel phones. Yesterday, the company itself confirmed that the 4th Beta is headed for Beta participants. The latest build follows the major Beta 3 release, which hit Platform Stability last month.
For Pixel smartphones, the Android 16 Beta 4 update brings Dynamic Color on some AOD clocks, new long-press tools in the Recents menu, darker media player artwork, Gesture Navigation demo, and a new “Apps list” shortcut.
Over the past few days, we’ve seen plenty of One UI 8 leaks, that too, in a time when Samsung is struggling with the One UI 7 rollout. The suspended release has just resumed, and Samsung’s Android 15 expansion will last till July this year.
You may like – One UI 8 leaks may be a distraction from One UI 7 rollout crisis
Google plans to announce the official Android 16 update by June this year. The company has advanced its development schedule so Android OEMs can optimize the new OS and ship their new devices with the latest software from day one.
One UI 8 Leaks
One UI 8 could be a subtle upgrade over the latest One UI 7 version. The company may just refine the user interface to offer a more streamlined user experience.
In the first set of leaks, we’ve seen a slightly upgraded design in a handful of Samsung apps, including Samsung Gallery, Quick Share, and My Files (file explorer app).
Samsung Gallery and My Files in One UI 8 | Source – SamMobile
Don’t Miss – One UI 8 eligible devices: Are you receiving the Android 16 upgrade?
One UI 8 would also end the Galaxy S25 exclusivity of the Now Brief feature. A leaked hands-on video showcased Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 running the Now Brief feature on One UI 8.
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Samsung’s One UI 7, based on Android 15, brings several new features and changes to provide a next-level experience. Now, Android 15 requires almost double the storage compared to One UI 6.
One UI 6 is based on Android 14, which only needed 16GB of storage, while One UI 7 now requires at least 32GB of storage. That’s double the storage compared to the previous version. This is because Google has increased the minimum storage needed to run Android 15.
The reason behind this increase is that Android’s system and apps are becoming larger. With newer features and updates, Android 15 needs more space to run smoothly. Google says (spotted via Mishaal Rahman) that 75% of the 32GB must be set aside for the Android system, apps, and user data.
On phones with only 16GB of storage, users often found themselves running out of space quickly, especially after installing updates and apps. With 32GB, Android 15 provides more room for the operating system and all the apps you use.
Notably, phones that don’t meet this new storage rule can still run Android 15 using the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), but they might not have Google Mobile Services (GMS). Android 15 also requires support for Vulkan 1.3 graphics and ANGLE libraries, unless the phone uses Go Edition.
Moreover, Google also made changes to memory (RAM) rules. Phones with 3GB of RAM or less now need to run on Android Go Edition. Previously, only phones with 2GB RAM or less had to use Go Edition.
This might be a concern for devices with low storage models. Samsung continues to offer higher storage options on newer devices, with many of its budget and mid-range models already shipping with 64GB /128GB of basic storage.
Android 15-based One UI 7 demands more space, but the 32GB standard storage rule means to make Android work better.
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