I downloaded Android 17 for the futuristic AI; all I got were some cute floating bubbles
Android Police 2026-07-16 10:00:15
Context: The author, Rahul Naskar, downloaded the stable Android 17 update on their phone, expecting futuristic AI features, but was initially disappointed to find only a feature called "Bubbles" which provides cute floating app icons. The update marks the beginning of Android's transition to an "intelligence system" with AI capabilities, but the author had to wait for the promised AI features. Android 17's headline AI features, tied to Gemini Intelligence, are expected to arrive later in the summer.
Key Facts
- The author, Rahul Naskar, has eight years of experience covering Android, focusing on apps, features, and platform updates, and previously worked for XDA, MUO, and Neowin.
- Android 17 marks the start of the transition to what Google calls an "intelligence system" with AI capabilities, but the author found only a feature called "Bubbles" which provides cute floating app icons.
- The author uses the Bubbles feature to multitask, such as copying information from Google Docs to Gmail, and finds it useful for switching between apps with a single tap.
- The promised AI features, tied to Gemini Intelligence, are expected to enable Android 17 phones to perform certain actions without step-by-step navigation and allow for AI widgets.