Android 15 took a backseat to the slew of Gemini announcements at last year’s Google I/OÂ developer conference. Now, the company is giving Android a starring role in its own virtual event on May 13.Â
The Android Show: I/O Edition will feature the latest updates coming to the operating system, Google says. The company shared a teaser video with Android President Sameer Samat, who will be joining the show. In the clip, he notes viewers will “see what’s new on Android.”
The Android Show: I/O Edition will take place Tuesday, May 13, at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET). That’s a week before Google I/O, which kicks off May 20 at 10 a.m. PT in Mountain View, California. CNET will be covering both events, so be sure to follow along for live updates.
Last year’s Android 15’s release wasn’t a major departure from the previous version of the operating system, but it introduced some useful capabilities like satellite messaging support, low-light boost and enhanced privacy features.Â
Google spinning out Android updates into a separate virtual show might be a good way for the operating system to enjoy its own spotlight, given that in the past few years, Google I/O has been dominated by AI announcements. Even Pixel updates have been relegated to the background during the I/O keynote.
Android 16 is currently available in beta on supported Pixel smartphones and tablets. Updates in the developer preview include more complex haptic effects and the option to be more selective about the photos an app can access. Google announced the first Android 16 developer preview in November, three months earlier than its Android 15 announcement. This also bumps up the anticipated rollout of Android 16 to the second quarter of this year.Â
In the fourth and final Android 16 beta, Google appears focused on ensuring stability before the operating system’s anticipated release — which we’ll likely learn more about on May 13.Â
Watch this: Android 15: Best New Features You Can Try
