What Apple calls WWDC (“World Wide Developers Conference”) is called “Google I/O” at Google. The company usually shows many new technologies and product improvements at the developer conference, including this year. Almost every announcement was about thinking about AI no longer just as a window on a chatbot, but as an agent and system layer in Search, Android, Workspace, Shopping, YouTube, developer tools and more. Clearly, artificial intelligence is placed as a fundamental concept across all levels, rather than as a feature in itself. Gemini 3.5 as the next generation
One of the most important announcements was definitely Gemini 3.5. To be more precise, Gemini was so prominent that some people joked in the comments that they had just experienced the “Gemini I/O”. Gemini 3.5 Flash is the first model of the new 3.5 generation. Google specifically calls it a model of agentic tasks, programming and fast execution. Gemini 3.5 Pro, on the other hand, will appear much later and will serve tasks that require more demanding conclusions, more complex task chains, longer context and higher accuracy. For users of the Gemini app, Google promises more proactive functions, personal daily summaries or the ability to accompany tasks over longer periods of time using Gemini Spark.
Google Search: More than just questions and answers
Of course, Google’s core business, i.e. the search engine, could not be missing. Google.com is getting a new AI-powered search box and is becoming more focused on follow-up questions, multimodal input and agentic features. In the future, the search should not only deliver results, but also be able to monitor information over a longer period of time. So-called “information agents” continually provide information about price changes, sporting events, financial data, news, real estate or other topics.
Android XR for glasses with and without a display
The strategy for new types of devices was also specified. As is well known, Android XR is not only intended to power headsets, but also lighter glasses. Google differentiates between glasses without a display, which primarily use audio, camera and Gemini, and models with a display in the field of vision. By the way, just a few days ago it was said that Samsung would be presenting smart glasses based on Android XR in July. One of the alleged partners, Gentle Monster, was explicitly mentioned at Google’s event – which many took as confirmation of the plans.
Workspace, Gmail and Google Pics
Gemini also moves further and deeper into Workspace. Google announced new voice and AI features for Gmail, Docs and Keep, including conversational workflows and new Live features. There is also Google Pics, a design and image tool that is intended to bring AI-supported image editing more into Google’s product world. The difference to previous AI functions is the greater interconnection. Gemini is intended to search emails, understand documents, prepare tasks and accompany workflows – as an assistant instead of just a question-and-answer chatbot.
