The Android Show on 12 May
If you're curious about what's changing on Android soon, 12 May is a date to keep an eye on. Google has confirmed that it is hosting another special edition of The Android Show, even before the larger developer conference Google I/O 2026 later in May.
The event, which you can simply watch online, acts as a kind of warm-up for all things Android. According to Google itself, 2026 will be "one of the most important years for Android yet". That sounds ambitious, but what it means in concrete terms remains to be seen.
It is expected that you will get to see more of Android 17 during the presentation. Think new features, improvements in usability and possible changes in design. Google often uses moments like this to give a sneak peek, without immediately revealing everything.
In addition, rumours are buzzing about a bigger step: a possible merger of Android with ChromeOS. That would mean further blurring the line between smartphones, tablets and laptops. Whether that plan will actually be announced is not yet certain, but there is a chance that Google will at least reveal something about it.
Artificial intelligence is also likely to play a prominent role. With the emergence of Gemini, Google is betting heavily on AI integration within its products. So you can expect new Android features to become smarter, for example in terms of voice, search or personal suggestions.
What makes this edition interesting is the timing. By scheduling The Android Show before Google I/O, Google seems to want to divide the focus more. First focus on Android itself, then the broader developments during the conference. DroidApp will of course keep you updated on the news. Last year was the first edition of The Android Show.
