Google's I/O 2026 keynote was once again dominated by artificial intelligence, with a slew of announcements spanning new AI models, enhanced apps, and ambitious hardware projects. From the next generation of Gemini to smart glasses partnerships and a universal shopping cart, the company laid out its vision for an AI-first future. Below is a comprehensive roundup of the 13 biggest reveals from the event.

Gemini 3.5: Faster and More Capable

Google kicked off I/O by introducing Gemini 3.5 Flash, the latest iteration of its flagship AI model. This new version is now the default for the Gemini app and AI Mode in Search. According to Google, Gemini 3.5 Flash is significantly faster than its predecessor, with improved capabilities for handling agentic tasks — meaning it can better execute multi-step actions on behalf of users. It also boasts enhanced agentic coding abilities, allowing developers to generate more sophisticated and interactive web UIs and graphics. Safety has been a key focus: the model includes improved guardrails that reduce both the generation of harmful content and accidental flagging of safe queries. Alongside the model update, the Gemini app receives a visual overhaul called "neural expressive," featuring new animations, pops of color, a custom font, and haptic feedback. The redesign rolls out starting May 19 across web, Android, and iOS.

Gemini Omni: A New Family of Multimodal Models

In addition to Gemini 3.5, Google unveiled an entirely new model family: Gemini Omni. The first member, Omni Flash, is rolling out today in the Gemini app, Google Flow, and YouTube Shorts. What sets Omni apart is its ability to generate video clips from prompts that combine text, photos, video, and audio — not just text alone, as with Google's existing Veo model. This makes it a true multimodal creation tool. Google hinted that future versions of Omni will be able to "create anything from any input," suggesting a long-term ambition to unify all content generation under a single AI engine.

Gemini Spark: Google's Always-On AI Agent

Dubbed by some as Google's answer to rival always-on agents, Gemini Spark is a persistent AI assistant that runs 24/7 on Google Cloud virtual machines. Powered by Gemini 3.5 Flash, Spark can handle a variety of background tasks: writing emails, creating study guides, monitoring for hidden credit card fees, and more. It integrates with Google Workspace apps (Docs, Gmail, Sheets, Slides) as well as third-party services like Canva and Instacart. Google also plans to extend Spark's reach to local files via the Gemini app on macOS. The always-on nature marks a shift from query-response AI to proactive, continuous assistance.

Vibe-Code Full Android Apps in Google AI Studio

Google is democratizing app development with a new feature in AI Studio that lets users "vibe-code" entire native Android apps using just prompts. The system includes an embedded Android emulator for instant previews, and users can even plug in their phone to install the app directly from AI Studio. Exported apps can be shared to Android Studio, GitHub, or saved as a ZIP file. Notably, Google will soon allow developers to publish these vibe-coded apps exclusively for friends and family — a controlled distribution model that avoids the public Play Store. Support for Firebase integrations is also on the roadmap.

Project Aura Smart Glasses: Refined and Ready

Google showed off an updated version of Project Aura, its augmented reality smart glasses developed in collaboration with Xreal. The external compute puck has been redesigned to include a fingerprint sensor and a lanyard for easier wear. New features demonstrated include Gemini-powered widgets for Google Calendar and Keep, plus improved Gemini performance overall. The glasses are part of Google's broader push into XR, aiming to blend digital information seamlessly into the physical world.

New Android XR Glasses from Warby Parker and Gentle Monster

Two fashion brands are entering the smart glasses arena with Google's Android XR platform. Warby Parker and Gentle Monster will each launch audio-only smart glasses this fall — no display, similar to the Ray-Ban Meta glasses. They will support live translation, navigation assistance with Gemini, and notification summaries. These partnerships signal Google's strategy to make XR wearable and stylish, targeting everyday use rather than niche tech enthusiasts.

Universal Cart: One Checkout Across Google Services

Google is simplifying online shopping with a "Universal Cart" that aggregates products from YouTube, Search, Gemini, and Gmail. This intelligent shopping cart works across multiple merchants — Nike, Target, Walmart, Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Wayfair, and Shopify — allowing users to add items from different stores and check out in a single transaction. The cart can also flag potential issues like incompatible PC parts and leverage Google Wallet loyalty info to find savings or earn points. Universal Cart launches this summer in Search and Gemini, with YouTube and Gmail support coming later.

Gmail Live: Voice Search for Your Inbox

Gmail is getting a voice-driven search feature called Gmail Live. By clicking an icon in the search bar, users can ask questions verbally, and instead of seeing a list of emails, the interface extracts and delivers the relevant information directly — for example, pulling up a hotel confirmation code without wading through threads. Similar voice AI features will roll out to Google Docs and Keep, and will be able to tap into data from Google Drive and Gmail. This represents a shift from email retrieval to conversational information access.

Google Workspace Gets Pics: AI Image Editing Made Simple

A new Workspace app called Pics aims to simplify AI-driven image editing. Powered by Nano Banana 2 and Gemini, Pics lets users click on a specific part of an image and leave a comment describing the desired edit — no need to write a detailed prompt. Google plans to eventually integrate Pics' capabilities into other Workspace apps, streamlining image editing across the productivity suite.

Search Gets Agents, Generative UI, and Mini Apps

Google Search is undergoing a major transformation. The search box will now expand to accommodate longer queries and display AI-generated suggestions akin to autocomplete. Users can input not just text but also images, files, videos, and Chrome tabs. New "information agents" will provide summarized updates on specific topics by pulling from blogs, news, social media, and more — launching this summer for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. Additionally, a "generative UI" feature can generate interactive visuals like simulations and data tables, while "mini apps" — custom dashboards for frequently searched tasks — will also appear in Search results.

AI Ultra Gets a Price Cut

Google's premium AI subscription, AI Ultra, introduced last year at $249.99 per month, is now being restructured. Two new tiers were announced: a $100 per month option for base advanced access, and a $200 per month plan that includes access to Google's Project Genie. This pricing change makes Google's top-tier AI more accessible while still offering a premium tier for power users.

AI Detection Tools Expand to Chrome and Search

To help users identify AI-generated or altered images, Google is expanding its provenance tools. Starting today, uploading or selecting images in Search (including with Lens and Circle to Search) can reveal SynthID watermarking and C2PA Content Credentials. Later, a Chrome feature will let users circle questionable images on websites to check their origin. This initiative aims to combat misinformation by making image authenticity easier to verify.

Sophie: Lifelike AI Agents for Google Beam

Google is experimenting with realistic AI agents in its Beam communication platform (formerly Project Starline). A demo showed "Sophie," a Beam video agent that can answer questions, read documents held up to the camera, and offer restaurant recommendations — all while feeling more personable than traditional chatbots. Though Sophie does not appear in 3D like human Beam calls, the interaction is designed to be natural and helpful. Google also demonstrated group calls on Beam, a feature that will work with Meet and Zoom.

These 13 announcements paint a picture of Google doubling down on AI integration across every product vertical — from search and email to hardware and creative tools. The company is betting that smarter, more proactive, and more multimodal AI will define the next era of computing.

Source: The Verge News