Interview: Google explains Android's faster release schedule and new Gemini features in Android Studio

To coincide with Droidcon London (which our amazing Huyen Tue Dao is speaking at!), Google dropped some major Android news that we had to share with you all. The amazing folks over at Google set us up with Seang Chau, VP and GM of Android Platform, and friend of the show Matthew McCullough, VP of Android Developer Experience at Google, to talk about the news, which includes a major shift in Android's release schedule (including an early launch of Android 16!) plus lots of new Gemini AI features in Android Studio.

Specifically, we touched upon the following topics:

• How Google's recent internal restructuring benefits the Android Platform.
• New Android release schedule
  • What's changing with Android's release schedule, when is Android 16 releasing, and why does Google want more frequent SDK releases?
  • How will app developers be impacted by Google's changes to the Android release schedule?
  • Will OEMs actually roll out the Q4 2025 minor release that Google is working on?
• New Gemini AI features in Android Studio
  • What are some of the new Gemini AI features coming to Android Studio?
  • How will Gemini help developers write better commit messages and names for classes, methods, and variables?
  • How can Gemini leverage code context in a secure manner?
  • What kinds of prompts does Google think developers will save in the new prompt library?

And much more! As a bonus, we also got to ask Google a very special question: what is the Android 16 dessert code-name? The answer will surprise you!

Our full interview with Seang and Matthew is live on YouTube right now, so you don't have to wait to watch it! We'll also be including it in next week's episode of the Android Faithful podcast if you want to hear our post-interview commentary plus a recap of the week's news.

And if you're interested in hearing more details about Android 16's new release date and how it affects app developers, I wrote a few articles over on Android Authority that I recommend you check out:

• Google confirms Android 16 is coming earlier than usual, developer preview begins soon
• Here's how Android's faster release schedule will affect Android apps
• Here's how Google was able to move up Android 16's release date