Android Show I/O Edition is fast becoming Google's launchpad for the biggest changes coming to phones, cars and laptops running Android.

At this year's virtual event, held ahead of the main Google I/O developer conference, the company laid out how Android, Chrome and Android Auto will evolve over the next year, with a mix of practical tweaks and aggressive pushes into Gemini-powered AI.

One of the headline announcements at Android Show I/O Edition was that Google's Quick Share will now talk directly to Apple's AirDrop, letting Android users send files to iPhones much more seamlessly. The feature will debut on Google's Pixel 10 series and then expand to selected Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi and Honor devices through 2025.

For people without a compatible handset, Quick Share will still matter. Google is adding an option to generate a QR code on any Android phone, enabling cloud-based sharing of files with iOS devices, and plans to embed Quick Share tools into third-party apps such as WhatsApp.

Google also used Android Show I/O Edition to confirm that Gemini 3.1, its latest AI model, is coming directly into Chrome for Android. From late June, select phones running Android 12 or later with at least 4GB of RAM in the US will get Gemini in the browser toolbar, with an "auto browse" mode that can read pages, summarise long articles and even handle multi-step tasks like booking parking or updating online orders.

Gemini in Chrome will connect with apps such as Gmail, Calendar and Keep, allowing users to pull dates into events, save recipes or extract details from emails without leaving the browser tab. A Nano Banana feature will let people generate or tweak visuals directly from web content, turning study notes into infographics or reimagining room layouts, though Google has confirmed that auto browse will not be available in India at launch.

On the in-car side, Android Show I/O Edition showcased a redesigned Android Auto with edge-to-edge Google Maps, Google's Material 3 expressive design language and smoother animations. The standout addition is Immersive Navigation, a 3D view that highlights buildings, overpasses, lanes, traffic lights and stop signs to cut confusion when driving in cities.

Google is also switching on support for full-HD, 60fps YouTube and similar apps in compatible vehicles when parked, with playback falling back to audio-only once the car is in motion, plus Dolby Atmos support in select models from brands including BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, Tata and others. Beyond the dashboard, Android 17 will introduce Screen Reactions, letting users record themselves and their screens simultaneously, while a partnership with Meta will bring Ultra HDR, better stabilisation and Night Sight-style low-light capture to Instagram on high-end Android phones.