The tech world is buzzing with anticipation for Google's upcoming Android Show: I/O Edition, scheduled for today, May 13, 2025. This event, a week before the main Google I/O conference, is expected to unveil the latest innovations in Android, with a strong focus on Android 16 and Wear OS 6. Here’s a guide to watching the event and what to expect from these exciting updates.

How to Watch 'The Android Show'

The Android Show: I/O Edition will be livestreamed on the official Android YouTube channel. The event starts at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET, 6 PM BST). This dedicated event allows Google to delve deeper into Android-specific news, leaving the Google I/O keynote to focus on broader topics like Gemini, DeepMind, Android XR, and Project Astra.

Android 16: What to Expect

Android 16 has been in public beta, suggesting a stable release is imminent, possibly in June. While not expected to bring a major visual overhaul, Android 16 is anticipated to introduce numerous under-the-hood improvements and new features. Here are some of the rumored and expected highlights:

• Live Updates: A new class of real-time notifications will keep users informed about ongoing activities like navigation, ridesharing, and food delivery, displaying progress directly in the notification. A new ProgressStyle notification template will provide a consistent user experience for these updates.
• Advanced Professional Video (APV) Codec Support: Designed for high-quality video recording and post-production, APV offers features like YUV 422 color sampling, 10-bit encoding, and high bitrates. This will allow for near lossless video quality, intra-frame-only coding for easier editing, and support for 2K, 4K, and 8K resolutions.
• Auracast Broadcast Audio Support: Utilizing Bluetooth LE Audio, Auracast will enable users to stream audio to multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously.
• Enhanced Camera Controls: Android 16 will bring more precise manual adjustments for color temperature and tint, along with a hybrid auto-exposure feature. A new night mode indicator will help apps switch between night and day modes. UltraHDR support is expected to expand to HEIC files.
• Improved Photo Picker: Users will have more control over which images and videos apps can access, enhancing privacy. The photo picker will also include support for cloud-based media services like Google Photos.
• Adaptive App Experience: Apps will better adapt to different screen sizes and orientations, providing a more consistent experience across devices like foldables and tablets.
• Privacy and Security Enhancements: Expect deeper controls over app permissions and data sharing. Android 16 will also support robust security features in Wi-Fi location using Wi-Fi 6's 802.11az, including AES-256 encryption.
• Linux Terminal: Allowing users to run GNU applications within a virtual machine on their devices.
• Health Connect: Enhanced functionality for apps to access and manage medical data through new APIs.

Other rumored features include an app drawer blur, and desktop windowing.

Wear OS 6: What to Expect

While details are still emerging, Wear OS 6 is expected to build upon the foundation laid by Wear OS 5, incorporating improvements from Android 16. Here's what we might see:

• Gemini Integration: Google is likely to replace Google Assistant with Gemini on Wear OS. This could offer more powerful and useful AI capabilities, potentially including Gemini Live support.
• Battery and Efficiency Improvements: Building on the efficiency gains in Wear OS 5, further optimizations are expected to extend battery life.
• Enhanced Fitness Features: Wear OS 6 may introduce downloadable and shareable courses in Google Maps, better syncing with accessories, and improved guidance for various sports. Samsung's One UI 7 Watch, based on Wear OS 6, is confirmed to include a Vascular Load Indicator for tracking cardiovascular health.
• Customizable Quick Settings: The ability to customize the quick settings panel, similar to Android, would allow users to prioritize frequently used functions.
• Improved Tiles: Updates to tiles (widgets) are expected, with better developer support and more interactive functionality.
• Multiple Timers and Tasks App: Basic functionality like multiple timers and a dedicated Google Tasks app are highly anticipated.

The Android Show: I/O Edition promises to be an exciting event, offering a glimpse into the future of Android and Wear OS. Tune in to the livestream to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and innovations from Google.