Google officially launched the new Android 17 this Tuesday, June 16th. The latest iteration of the mobile operating system brings a significant expansion of the Gemini platform’s artificial intelligence capabilities, as well as other important functionalities. One of the highlights, already anticipated at the Google I/O event, is the innovative Gemini Intelligence tool.
Gemini Intelligence, which will reach several devices starting in September this year, represents a crucial change in Google’s vision. The company now sees Android no longer as a conventional operating system, but rather as a true “intelligent system” capable of predicting and meeting users’ needs, marking an advance in human-machine interaction.
- The new version of Android 17 incorporates AI features that seek to anticipate user demands on a daily basis;
- This includes everything from finding specific data in emails and messages to selecting photos or videos for sharing on communication applications;
- Google’s central proposal is to simplify and “automate time-consuming tasks”, with the promise of integration with third-party software, such as delivery and transport platforms;
- Thanks to Gemini Intelligence, Android 17 gains “agentic” capabilities, allowing you to use certain applications as if you were the user;
- He will be able, for example, to organize shopping lists and add them directly to a cart in virtual stores;
- The system will also have the ability to identify leisure options by analyzing the image of a brochure or use Google Chrome to schedule appointments, such as medical appointments.
Traditionally, the first smartphones to receive Android 17 will be the Pixel line, developed by Google itself. Other popular manufacturers are expected to communicate their update schedules for their devices in the weeks following the initial release.
New features and design of Android 17
The visual design of Android 17 maintains the Material 3 Expressive language, already presented in the previous version, Android 16. However, Google introduced a series of innovations and tools in the update. Among them, the ability to generate personalized widgets with artificial intelligence, using just simple text commands, stands out.
Multitasking functionality also receives a notable improvement with application “Bubbles”. This feature, which is already familiar to users, has been redesigned to transform any application into a floating window. This innovation allows faster and more efficient access while the user explores other software in full screen mode.
For foldable smartphones with larger screens, an innovative game mode was developed, dividing the screen in half. This way, the game is displayed at the top, while the controls are available at the bottom, reminiscent of the classic style of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play.
This new game mode offers a dynamic and fully customizable gamepad. According to information from Google, the new feature will be released gradually “in the coming months”. The company also ensures optimized support for external controllers, including native button configuration.
Another big promise for gamers is the reduction in “frame drops and crashes” during matches. Android 17 implements new memory limits for apps, ensuring that they do not exceed RAM usage, which will result in better overall performance and longer battery life for phones.
- Android 17 also integrates features aimed at using social networks, making it easier to record “reactions” to content;
- It is possible to apply an effect similar to chroma key (green screen) in both photos and videos, adding a creative touch;
- The update now allows you to grant temporary location access to an app, in addition to allowing sharing of specific contacts, increasing user privacy;
- The “Mark as lost” feature has been improved to block the lost smartphone using the owner’s biometrics;
- According to Google, the update offers improvements in scam detection and strengthens defenses against cyber threats;
- An extra layer of security limits the number of attempts to guess the PIN and increases the waiting time between them;
- Initially available on Google Pixel smartphones, Android 17 will enable easy creation of videos and soundtracks through Gemini Omni.
Google took advantage of the update cycle to bring other features to more countries and regions. Among them, the Google Photos image editor, known as “Ask Photos”, which allows complex edits with simple text commands. However, the tool has not yet been made available to users in Brazil.
In parallel, Google also presented Wear OS 7, the new version of its operating system for smart watches. Improvements to this platform include more efficient power management and the incorporation of features similar to Android 17.