Google Android Dev Summit to feature early mention of Android 18

Google is returning to its Android Dev Summit on October 28–29, held at the company’s Bay View campus in Mountain View, with an extended event planned for London. The summit marks the first such gathering since 2022.

An event agenda has provided an unexpected early reference to Android 18. A session focused on Jetpack Compose specifically mentions “elevate your apps with the latest graphics features in Jetpack Compose and Android 18,” suggesting new capabilities such as mesh gradients and progressive blurs. While this indicates upcoming visual and performance enhancements, it does not confirm an official launch date for the OS.

The conference will focus on four primary pillars: AI experiences, Android XR, app foundations, and tools and performance. Key topics include integrating apps with Gemini, Search, and the Android intelligence system, as well as developing audio-first experiences for intelligent eyewear using Gemini Nano.