{"id":1931917,"date":"2026-05-12T17:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1931917"},"modified":"2026-05-12T17:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T14:01:00","slug":"everything-google-announced-at-its-android-show-from-googlebooks-to-vibe-coded-widgets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1931917","title":{"rendered":"Everything Google announced at its Android Show, from Googlebooks to vibe-coded widgets"},"content":{"rendered":"

[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/googlebook.png?resize=1200,843″]<\/p>\n

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At Google\u2019s virtual Android Show: I\/O Edition event on Tuesday, the tech giant announced a series of upcoming updates and features, including improved Gemini Intelligence features; new hardware called Googlebook; and other Android improvements, like vibe-coded widgets, Gemini in Chrome, and new emoji.<\/p>\n

The features are arriving ahead of Google\u2019s annual developer conference this month, which will largely focus on AI, as it did last year. <\/p>\n

Below, we\u2019ve compiled all of Google\u2019s announcements for you right here.<\/p>\n

Googlebook<\/h2>\n
Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Google unveiled Googlebook, its new line of laptops built with Gemini at their core. The tech giant is working with partners like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo to make the first Googlebooks in a variety of shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n

The company says Googlebooks, which are launching this fall, are the first laptops designed from the ground up for Gemini Intelligence to offer personal and proactive help.<\/p>\n

The laptops will ship with \u201cMagic Pointer,\u201d a new kind of cursor with Gemini built in; compatibility with Android phones that will allow people to use apps from their phone right from their Googlebook; the ability to create custom widgets; and more.<\/p>\n

Create My Widget<\/h2>\n
Image Credits:<\/strong>Google (screenshot)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Google unveiled a new \u201cCreate My Widget\u201d feature that lets users vibe-code their own custom widgets. The feature will first launch on the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones this summer.<\/p>\n

Users will be able to create widgets by describing what they want using natural language. For example, you could ask the feature to \u201csuggest three high-protein meal prep recipes every week\u201d in order to get a custom dashboard that you can add and resize on your home screen.<\/p>\n

Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Updates to Android Auto<\/h2>\n

Android Auto is getting a refresh that brings more personalization, widgets, and an edge-to-edge experience to your dash to fit any screen, whether it\u2019s an ultrawide angle, a circle, or a unique shape. Users can add widgets that let them see the things that matter most at a glance, even while using navigation.<\/p>\n

Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Media apps like YouTube Music and Spotify are also getting redesigned interfaces aimed at making them easier to use in the car.<\/p>\n

Additionally, for the first time in Android Auto, you\u2019ll be able to watch videos on apps like YouTube in 60 fps full HD in supported cars later this year, starting with BMW, Ford, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, \u0160koda, Tata, and Volvo.<\/p>\n

Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Google said Gemini is now rolling out broadly on Android Auto, letting drivers ask questions, brainstorm ideas, or learn about topics hands-free while on the road. The company also said users will be able to place food orders from the car, beginning with DoorDash.<\/p>\n

3D Emoji<\/h2>\n
Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Google announced that all 4,000 Android emojis have been refined to make them more true to how they actually are. Launching later this year, the new emojis are designed to feel less flat and more expressive and real.<\/p>\n

Features for creators<\/h2>\n

Android is launching a \u201cScreen Reactions\u201d feature that records you and your screen at the same time, a format often seen on TikTok and Instagram Reels. The feature is first rolling out on Pixel devices this summer.<\/p>\n

Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Google also partnered with Meta to bring the best of Instagram to its Android devices, including Ultra HDR, native stabilization, and night mode. Additionally, the company optimized the capture-to-upload pipeline to ensure your photos and videos remain sharp when you post them.<\/p>\n

The tech giant is bringing new tools to Meta\u2019s Edit app, exclusively on Android, including \u201csmart enhance\u201d to upscale photos and \u201csound separation\u201d to boost and remove sounds.<\/p>\n

Gemini\u2019s agentic features<\/h2>\n
Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Under Gemini Intelligence, the assistant will be able to take data from one app and perform multistep functions across apps. For instance, you can take a photo of an event flyer and ask the assistant to find that event on sites like Expedia.<\/p>\n

With this feature, users could also invoke the assistant with their grocery list on-screen and ask it to build a cart based on those items in the shopping app of their choice.<\/p>\n

Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gemini in Chrome<\/h2>\n

The company is now introducing Gemini in Chrome to Android, after earlier launches on iOS and desktop, allowing users to summarize content or ask questions about what they see on the web page. Android users will also get the experimental auto-browse feature that can navigate websites and complete tasks like booking a ticket on a user\u2019s behalf.<\/p>\n

Form filling<\/h2>\n

Gemini will be able to use data from Personal Intelligence to help users fill out complex forms on mobile through an opt-in feature.<\/p>\n

Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dictation<\/h2>\n

Google launched a new feature in Gboard called Rambler that turns your speech into cleaned-up text \u2014 similar to apps like Wispr Flow and Monologue. The feature removes filler words like \u201cums\u201d and \u201cahs\u201d and also understands when you say \u201cLet\u2019s meet at 3 p.m.\u00a0\u2026 um, 2 p.m.\u201d and posts \u201cLet\u2019s meet at 2 p.m.\u201d as a final result.<\/p>\n

Image Credits:<\/strong>Google (screenshot)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Extended AirDrop support<\/h2>\n

Last year, Google added a way for Pixel phones to share photos and files with iPhones by making Quick Share work with AirDrop. The company said that this year, the feature will be available to users of other smartphone companies, including Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Honor.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, if you don\u2019t have a compatible device, you can use Quick Share on any device to generate a QR code, which will let you share files to the iPhone through the cloud.<\/p>\n

Plus, Google said that soon users will be able to access Quick Share available within apps like WhatsApp.<\/p>\n

Easier iPhone-to-Android transfer<\/h2>\n

Google is planning to introduce a new iOS-to-Android transfer that lets you import your passwords, photos, messages, favorite apps, contacts, eSIM, and your home screen layout from your iPhone to your new Android phone. This feature will launch on Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices this year.<\/p>\n

Pause Point<\/h2>\n
Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A new Android feature will allow you to pause when launching an app you\u2019ve labeled as one of your distractions. Before being able to scroll, game, or do whatever else it is that wastes your time, you\u2019ll have to take a 10-second break and be confronted with other choices you could make instead \u2014 like launching your Google Play Books app to read. You can also optionally set a timer that cuts you off from using the app before you dive in.<\/p>\n

Improved threat-protection features<\/h2>\n
Image Credits:<\/strong>Google<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Google is also expanding its default-on theft protections to all Android users globally after earlier tests in Brazil. The features will be enabled by default on all new Android 17 devices, as well as freshly reset devices or those that have upgraded to the latest OS.<\/p>\n

When enabled, features like Remote Lock and Theft Detection Lock will be automatically enabled, and Google is reducing the number of times a thief can try to guess your PIN or password. There will also be longer wait times between failed attempts. Law enforcement will now be able to access the device\u2019s IMEI from the lock screen on Android 12 and higher, too, allowing them to quickly verify a device\u2019s ownership if stolen. <\/p>\n

In addition, the theft protections will be extended to devices running Android 10 and up in select markets, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the U.K.<\/p>\n

Pixel users with up-to-date software and Advanced Protection Mode switched on now get Intrusion Logging, a security feature that helps to investigate suspected spyware attacks and device compromises.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/googlebook.png?resize=1200,843″] At Google\u2019s virtual Android Show: I\/O Edition event on Tuesday, the tech giant announced a series of upcoming updates and features, including improved Gemini Intelligence features; new hardware called Googlebook; and other Android improvements, like vibe-coded widgets, Gemini in Chrome, and new emoji. The features are arriving ahead of Google\u2019s annual developer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,62],"class_list":["post-1931917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-techcrunch-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1931917"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931917\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1931917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1931917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1931917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}