Google announces new Android development tools and AI-driven adaptive features

At the Android Dev Summit, Google introduced a suite of new tools, APIs, and platform updates designed to streamline app development and enhance cross-device compatibility. Key announcements include the stabilization of Android Studio Rabbit 2, which allows developers to integrate various coding agents—such as Claude Agent and Codex—directly into the IDE via the Agent Client Protocol (ACP).

To improve app performance across diverse hardware, Google updated its adaptive Compose skill. This tool enables AI coding agents to refactor existing Jetpack Compose apps for laptops, foldable phones, tablets, and XR devices. The update focuses on more than just responsive layouts; it assists in implementing desktop-specific features like keyboard shortcuts, hover states, and custom pointer cursors, as well as posture-aware optimizations for foldable devices in tabletop modes.

Additional technical updates include enhanced Android CLI capabilities for device testing and UI validation, Firebase-powered remote device streaming, and Perfetto system traces for performance profiling. Google also noted that adaptive app experiences will receive increased prominence on Google Play in the coming year.