When you purchase through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

What you need to know

• Google is teasing a much earlier Android 16 launch, as a report indicates that developers should look for a “major” SDK release in Q2 2025.

• Google has highlighted several new experiences for its Play Store for users to find, such as biometric payment authentication and much more.

• Gemini in Android Studio fetches multiple updates to help app developers code their content faster and find information about bugs/crashes.

Google has detailed a series of Android SDK updates, including others for its Play Store and Gemini.

Google’s updates began by highlighting the future of its Android SDK. In a blog post, the company says it will offer “more frequent” SDK releases, starting in 2025. Google says it will release a “major” release in the second quarter that will contain “behavior changes” for applications. It appears to be Android 16, as Google says developers should keep an eye out for more information regarding its first preview. The company says app developers can prepare for the major release in Q2 2025 by performing “annual compatibility testing” a few months early.

The Q4 2025 minor SDK release will contain feature updates, optimizations, and bug fixes to address any issues related to the planned major launch in Q2.

The first and third quarters of 2025 will be minor, offering “feature only” updates to developers, according to the schedule set by Google.

Gemini in Android Studio updates

After the debut of “Gemini in Android Studio” In April, Google’s latest updates today (October 31) bring several additional features to the AI ​​model. The company is pushing the limits of its AI by strengthening its coding capabilities, allowing it to edit your work by “implementing common design patterns”. Several of Gemini’s new code editing features include the ability to “edit and refract” code based on custom prompts.

A commit message generation feature allows the AI ​​to analyze your changes and suggest its own set of changes. “Rethink and Rename” allows Gemini to generate names for your coding classes, methods, and variables. The “Prompt Library” allows the AI ​​to “automatically” record and manage a user’s most frequently used prompts for easy recall. Users can also generate documentation for a selected piece of code by right-clicking.

In Android Studio, Gemini can now automatically generate “composable” previews and simplify the process of visualizing your intended user interface. Additionally, “soon” Google says Gemini in Android Studio will support image attachments.

As Gemini in Android Studio picks up a Ladybug feature, developers can squash bugs faster and (hopefully) see fewer crashes. Additional features include test cases using local code context, build/sync error information, and application quality information for suggested crash fixes.

The latest Android Studio updates can be downloaded through the Canary channel.

Play Store Updates

In a separate blog post, the company says it’s changing the way apps are displayed on its store. These new formats include a full-screen mode for portrait videos in a list of app stores. Google says a more “prominent” install button should now be visible to users.

Google highlights “personalized” query recommendations from the Play Store. According to the post, users can find these recommended search queries through the “Search Home”. This is available in English with support for additional languages ​​expected to arrive “soon this year.”

Google’s “Interest Selector” has arrived to help the Play Store understand where your interests lie for accurate recommendations. The company deployed a similar tool for games in July.

The post adds that the Play Store offers a more robust security system when purchasing content. The company says users can now choose “on-device biometrics” when purchasing an app. This includes deciding between using your fingerprint or your face to authenticate a purchase instead of entering your account password.

Image 1 of 2

Image 2 of 2

The latest two Play Store updates are all about increasing revenue for developers and their apps, alongside upgrades to the Play Integrity API. Regarding the first, Google says it has “proactively” encouraged users to assign a payment method on the Play Store and within the Android OS. This would have “doubled the number of purchases” in 2024 and led to a nearly 3% increase in the conversion rate.

Payment options have continued to expand as users discover options like Paypal, Cash App, direct carrier billing, and more. Additionally, Google leverages its Play Store algorithm to suggest content that users might purchase as additional content for their favorite apps.

Google also highlighted its “gentle nudge”, an alert that reminds users of an item they forgot in their basket.

Google says that “in the coming months” developers will be able to opt-in to enhanced Play Integrity API verdicts to strengthen their app’s defenses. Additionally, Google’s “App Access Risk” feature is no longer in beta. Developers can now “detect and respond” to apps that capture a user’s screen or control their device to prevent security disasters.