An emerging Android remake is set to change the way smartphones work for millions of users around the world. Ahead of its annual I/O developer conference, Google detailed a vision for deeper utilitarian integration of Gemini across all apps, along with other improvements. This essentially turns Android phones into artificial intelligence (AI) devices, even though industry whispers suggest that a distinct new class of these devices remains somewhere on the horizon.
The core of modern Android is a new Gemini Intelligence layer, which evolves Gemini from a conversational chatbot into an active, contextual assistant in third-party apps on the user’s Android phone. The AI is intended to automate tasks where possible – a significant change in the way you use your Android phone.
“We believe that an intelligent system, and an agent that it empowers, should get things done for you, especially more mundane, boring daily tasks. Secondly, it should meet you where you are and in the apps you’re already in with proactive suggestions,” said Dieter Bohn, director of product operations at Google.
Some of the Gemini Intelligence capabilities include auto-filling context when filling out forms on websites and apps, a Rambler feature for the keyboard app that can convert commonly spoken sentences into solid messages or lists with fillers, and automating certain tasks like booking tickets to an event you search for.
Google is working with developers to ensure they have tools for Gemini Intelligence integration. Clear guidelines, and tight integration within Android (and its subsequent updates) will reduce the possibility of feature and compatibility fragmentation later on.
Ben Greenwood, director and product manager of Android Core Experience, said these new features will start rolling out to flagship Android devices in the coming months, before covering more phones. Android’s current flagship crop includes Google’s own Pixel 10 phones, Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra as well as the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Vivo X300 series.
When asked by HT about the use of Gemini Intelligence as the core of the Android experience on phones and a potential subscription layer that defines utility, Greenwood confirmed that the base features will remain widely available to all devices, but with a caveat. “There are some usage limits for higher usage, and in those cases, you can upgrade to an AI subscription plan,” he said.
When these features are accessible at the OS level, the limitations of the free tier and how to access paid plans will become clear, a scenario where usage is expected to be high. In India, Google has three paid AI plans – AI Plus which costs ₹399 per month, for AI Pro ₹1,950 per month and price of AI Ultra ₹24,500 per month.
“Beginning with Chrome Auto Browse in late June, Gemini inside Chrome will be able to help you with everything from making appointments, planning a party, or searching for out-of-stock items right from your Android phone,” Greenwood explained in detail about the first phase of a broader plan.
Google is making a strong move ahead of Apple’s annual WWDC keynote next month, where a revamped Apple Intelligence suite is expected to be announced. Earlier this year, Apple and Google announced a partnership to use Gemini AI models, including a conversational Siri, expected in late 2026.
On the question of privacy, Google emphasizes that its philosophy for Gemini Intelligence is a mix of on-device processing and the cloud. For example, Rambler will process voice transcription on the cloud (which means it will require active 5G, 4G or Wi-Fi) but since it has no storage or memory, it is returned to the device after processing.
“Some are distributed on the device, while published and verifiable private technologies in the cloud provide similar privacy practices. These are all investments we are making to ensure that across intelligence features, users can have the best quality experience, and remain secure and private,” Greenwood said.
Google introduced Private AI Compute in November, allowing the Gemini model to securely process user data within a special, protected space.
The data that Gemini Intelligence gets access to, such as filling out web forms and attaching documents, depends on what users choose to share with Google. This could include saving a scan of your passport or driver’s license to Google Drive or Gmail or Google Photos.
What remains to be known is whether there is a possibility of opting out of certain data sharing, specific features or the entirety of Gemini Intelligence on Android devices.
“It’s about creating technology that really understands you and works for you, understands your intent and translates it directly into action, and weaves it in such a way that it’s there when you need it, and fades into the background when you don’t need it,” Greenwood said.
warm handshake
Other major updates to Android include some of what Bohn called “tools to disconnect when needed.” The problem Google is trying to solve is one of imbalanced attention and the human tendency to seek distractions.
“We’re all guilty of going to our phones to quickly do something, and then you go on autopilot and into some app, and suddenly an hour has gone by. App Time is a solution to that, but it’s easy to ignore them without thinking about it,” he said.
There will be pause points for apps you select as ‘distractions’, and when that app is opened, a quick screen will instead suggest a number of possible activities like breathing exercises for a few seconds, or swiping through a collection of photos first.
The thought of reconsidering the option of opening this particular app at this time of the day is mind-boggling. At the bottom of the screen there will be an open space clearly labeled “Do not open”. The intention is to create a habit of use or, in some cases, to improve it.
Bohn stressed that there are more digital wellness tools in the works, which will arrive later this year.
Google wants to reduce friction in moving between devices. First, the new switch device mechanism will now transfer contacts, photos, messages, and apps, as well as saved passwords, as well as the home screen layout when a user switches from an existing Android device to a new one.
The updated device transfer method will roll out to Samsung’s Galaxy phones and Google Pixel phones later this year, with broader support coming in the months that follow.
There is also a concerted effort being made to improve the Android phone and Apple iPhone handshake in terms of being able to send and receive files wirelessly. Late last year Google made Quick Share compatible with Apple’s AirDrop standard, for users who want to send something from their Android phone to a friend’s iPhone, or vice versa.
HT notes that some phones have integrated it, while some haven’t – the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the latest Vivo X300 Ultra can do Quick Share to an iPhone, but some phones like the Xiaomi 17 Ultra still can’t. Google says this is likely due to the lack of supporting hardware, but parity with next-generation phones is expected.
