Android 17 and Wear OS 7 launch with new multitasking, Gemini AI expansion
Tags AI · Consumer · OSS
Google has released Android 17 and Wear OS 7, introducing floating 'Bubble' app windows for multitasking, a Screen Reaction recording mode, and a 50/50 split gaming mode for foldable phones. Wear OS 7 brings Live Updates and improved battery life for smartwatches, with connectivity support for upcoming Android XR smart glasses. The launch is accompanied by a Pixel Drop that brings Google's latest AI models to its devices, expanding Gemini's on-device capabilities. GrapheneOS has also been ported to Android 17, with official releases coming soon.
Technical significance
Android 17's multitasking features and XR readiness signal Google's preparation for a post-smartphone computing paradigm where glasses and wearables complement or replace phones. The GrapheneOS port to Android 17 is significant for the privacy-focused open-source community, ensuring that security-conscious users can upgrade without losing their hardened OS. For developers, the Wear OS 7 XR APIs open a new target platform for spatial computing applications.