Google has announced further A.I.-driven changes, with advanced Gemini updates, AI Overviews, Android 15, and more, unveiled at Google I/O 2025 this week.
Gemini is at the forefront of these changes, with Google set to embed Gemini further into Search, along with a range of updates that sharpen the focus on AI-driven workflows, mobile experiences, and coding support.
This will impact the way eCommerce businesses structure their digital campaigns online – how to stay relevant, and where Google is headed next.
Here we break down some of the key developments announced at Google I/O 2025.
Gemini: From A.I. Assistant to Full Operating System
Gemini took centre stage at Google I/O 2025. But this wasn’t just about model upgrades – it was about how Gemini is now embedded across Google’s services. The Gemini app is now available across Android, iOS, and the web.
Gemini Advanced users (those on the paid tier) get access to the 1.5 Pro model, which now runs with a 1 million token context window – far exceeding what’s currently accessible in most consumer-facing tools.
New Gemini Features for Android
On Android, Gemini now acts as a full overlay. Users can invoke it on top of any screen and ask context-aware questions. For example, asking “Summarise this email” in Gmail or “Help me reply” while using messaging apps. It’s not a chatbot layer; it’s a layer over the phone itself.
This also introduces a more central role for Gemini in how users interact with their devices. It now supports multimodal input natively – images, voice, and text can be interpreted in tandem. This opens up new territory for app workflows, especially for developers building utilities, shopping experiences, or productivity tools.
Gemini 1.5 Pro in Workspace and Search
Gemini 1.5 Pro is now more tightly woven into Google Workspace. In Google Docs, it can now write structured content with citations from real-time web sources. In Sheets, it supports formula generation and table interpretation with natural-language input.
Google Search itself now runs with Gemini features embedded. The AI Overviews rollout, which began in the US, will expand globally this year. These overviews aim to answer user queries in paragraph form, combining snippets from multiple sources.
For SEO teams, this signals a shift: visibility depends less on ranking position and more on being the cited source inside these summaries.
Search Generative Experience (SGE): Monetisation Questions
Google’s continued rollout of AI Overviews via its Search Generative Experience (SGE) has stirred debate. Google claims these overviews improve information delivery by providing consolidated answers, but publishers have flagged concerns over traffic drop-offs.
Google confirmed they are testing links in overviews to direct users back to source content. However, it remains unclear how referral volume compares to traditional snippets.
If your business relies heavily on organic traffic, structured content that directly answers search intent may perform better within this environment than traditional longform.
Gemini Flash: Lightweight Model for Speed
Google also introduced Gemini Flash – a compact version of Gemini Pro with faster response times. Flash is built for speed and efficiency at scale, intended for use in apps and services where response time and cost constraints matter more than raw power.
This is relevant to businesses building customer-facing chat, content generation tools, or live support integrations. Gemini Flash can be called via the Gemini API and deployed within the same ecosystem as the more powerful 1.5 Pro model.
It’s currently available through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, alongside the other models in the Gemini 1.5 series.
Project IDX: Google’s Web-Based Dev Environment
It now supports additional frameworks like Angular and Next.js. More importantly, it offers built-in AI code suggestions powered by Gemini Pro. These are not passive prompts – they run inline, suggesting completions based on your file structure, history, and even linked backend services.
IDX also connects directly to Firebase and Google Cloud, streamlining full-stack deployment in-browser. For dev teams working on proof-of-concept apps, internal tools, or early MVPs, this removes the need to toggle between code editors and terminal windows.
Android 15: Privacy and Personalisation
Android 15 is not a visual overhaul. It’s about refining system behaviours and strengthening background task management. Private Space is one new feature: it allows users to lock sensitive apps (like health or finance tools) in a secured space with a separate passcode.
App development teams should note changes to foreground service management. Android 15 introduces tighter limits on long-running foreground services, encouraging more reliance on JobScheduler or WorkManager. Apps abusing these services may be restricted or flagged.
Also relevant: support for satellite connectivity expands, and the Health Connect API now provides better sync options across devices and apps.
AI-Powered Code Generation and Debugging
Gemini has also improved Google’s developer tools. In Android Studio “Kitefall,” Gemini is now an always-on assistant. It can inspect log output, suggest code corrections, and explain errors on the fly.
It also supports “context-aware code generation” from natural language. Developers can write comments like “fetch latest articles and show in card layout,” and Gemini writes scaffolded code matching that structure.
For teams with junior engineers or startups with small dev resources, this can reduce time spent on boilerplate or routine implementation steps.
Gemini Nano: On-Device AI for Android Developers
Gemini Nano remains the smallest model in the Gemini family. It now runs on-device for selected Android devices, including the Pixel 9. This means developers can build features like summarisation, message classification, or voice enhancements without calling external APIs.
For privacy-first applications – especially those in health, education, or legal spaces – on-device processing offers advantages for compliance.
Google is also expanding the Android AICore SDK, which helps apps access Gemini Nano capabilities. Documentation and testing tools are available through Android Studio.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a Shopify developer or eCommerce team:
- Watch for Gemini integrations into search and shopping experiences.
- Explore ways to hook into Gemini’s multimodal features for product discovery or post-purchase support.
If your business depends on traffic from Google:
- Start testing content formats that perform well inside AI Overviews.
- Use structured data and concise summaries that answer common queries directly.
If you’re building customer-facing apps:
- Review foreground service rules in Android 15. Prepare for enforced limits.
- Explore Gemini Nano SDK for on-device features. Privacy regulations may steer this adoption.
If you’re building with Firebase or Google Cloud:
- Consider moving early-stage projects into IDX for faster iteration.
- Use Gemini API with Flash or 1.5 Pro depending on task complexity.
Where Will Gemini Take Us Next?
Google I/O 2025 has set the groundwork for a shift where AI becomes the interface – not just the backend engine.
Gemini isn’t just a chatbot. It’s the layer between the user and the device. And for developers, designers, and digital marketers, the way forward isn’t about reacting to trends – it’s about aligning with platforms that control distribution.
For teams across eCommerce, SaaS, content, and services, now is the time to build with precision. The tools are live. The implications are real.
Need help optimising your content for A.I., or integrating Gemini or Android 15 features into your Shopify or web stack? Contact us to start building the right way.