Google I/O 2026: Gemini 3.5 Pro and Android XR Take Center Stage

At the 2026 I/O developer conference, Google announced a series of new features and products powered by Gemini, covering core services such as Search, Android XR, and the Gemini app. Among them, Gemini 3.5 Pro is currently in beta and is expected to be available to AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers next month; meanwhile, Gemini Spark for U.S. AI Ultra subscribers will launch next week. In addition, the new Antigravity 2.0 technology, along with integrated tools like Google Flow and YouTube Shorts, also made their debut, marking a key step in Google's deep AI convergence.

Search experience receives a major upgrade: Generative UI Search interface and Info Agents will first land on Search and the Gemini app in the U.S. this summer, then expand to YouTube and Gmail. On the Android XR front, Google partnered with multiple eyewear manufacturers to introduce a smart glasses reference design that supports real-time AR navigation, notification display, and Gemini voice interaction. Powered by Android XR, the companion Android and iOS apps are expected to open to AI Pro and Ultra subscribers this summer.

Notably, the Gemini API is now open to developers, supporting more complex multimodal tasks. Meanwhile, Daily Brief and shopping assistant features for AI Pro and Ultra users will gradually roll out this summer. Overall, Google is shifting from a single chat assistant to an all-scenario AI platform, with its hardware and software synergy becoming increasingly clear.

Looking ahead: With Gemini 3.5 Pro and Android XR devices hitting the market, Google is well-positioned to gain an edge in the AI terminal ecosystem. However, subscription barriers and regional feature strategies will remain key factors in user adoption.