Google Android Executive: Android 17 Will Progress Towards Intelligent Systems, Side-loading Features Will Not Be Removed

IT House March 11 News, every year the Mobile World Congress (MWC) held in Barcelona sets the tone for the tech industry. Although this event is no longer the official launchpad for annual smartphone releases, it remains an important stage for major manufacturers to unveil new hardware, showcase cutting-edge ideas, and hint at the future direction of mobile technology in the coming months.

Google and the Android system naturally remain at the core of the industry. During the 2026 Mobile World Congress, Android Authority interviewed Sameer Samat, President of the Android Ecosystem, to discuss the future development of the platform. The conversation covered Android’s AI future, the role of the Gemini large model, controversies around sideloading, and even which phones the head of the world’s largest operating system currently favors most. Android 17 aims to reduce “digital chores.”

IT House notes that the discussion naturally began with Android 17 and its new features. As the next-generation Android system prototype becomes clearer, Google is steadily rolling out beta versions. Android Authority asked Samat: As Gemini becomes more intelligent and deeply integrated into the system, how does he see the evolution of the Android platform?

Samat said that this shift is far more than just adding more AI features. “I believe Android 17 is transforming from an operating system into a smart system,” he reiterated his previous point from the Galaxy Unpacked launch event.

Google has been gradually integrating Gemini into various products, but Samat revealed that the next phase will involve a fundamental restructuring of Android’s architecture to make AI tasks more intuitive and natural.

“We want devices and software to help people do more of what they love and less of those tedious ‘digital chores,’” Samat said.

These “digital chores”—repetitive tasks people perform daily on their phones—are exactly the scenarios where Google believes AI agents can be effective.

In the interview, Samat gave an example of future Gemini and Android integration: a family member sent him a YouTube recipe video suggesting a dinner dish. Instead of manually listing ingredients or opening multiple apps, he let Gemini handle it.

“I asked Gemini what ingredients are needed for this dish and whether it can help me order them directly. It analyzed the video content, identified the ingredients, and completed the order,” he explained.

Android 17 will be a key milestone for large-scale deployment of early AI agent capabilities.

These automation features were recently announced by Google. Soon, they will be available in beta within the Gemini app, supporting Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S26 series, allowing users to delegate multi-step tasks directly to Gemini.

Samat confirmed that Android 17 will enable these early AI capabilities to be more widely adopted in the Android ecosystem, though initially only supporting some applications.

What about multiple AI agents? Gemini is rapidly enhancing its capabilities. Android Authority asked Samat whether Google might follow Samsung’s lead—since the Galaxy S26 series features Bixby, Gemini, Perplexity, and other AI agents—by offering similar multi-AI combinations on Pixel devices in the future.

“Android has always been open,” Samat said, but he also mentioned that “different OEMs have different strategies,” implying that although Samsung integrates multiple assistants, Google may not adopt the same approach on Pixel devices.

He also acknowledged that the AI assistant field is still in its early stages, and Android will continue to be the platform where new ideas and experiments are first implemented. Regarding the controversy over sideloading:

Today, when discussing the future of Android, sideloading cannot be avoided.

Recent adjustments to Android’s app security mechanisms, especially related to app identity verification, have raised concerns among developers and power users, who worry that Android might become more closed and restricted.

Governments worldwide are exerting pressure on Google to address malicious app issues.

Samat clearly stated that Google has no plans to remove sideloading, which has been the company’s consistent stance over the past year. However, he pointed out that regulatory agencies continue to demand solutions for malicious apps, and the upcoming updates to sideloading are aimed at combating scams targeting novice users.

“Sideloading is very important; it won’t disappear and has always been a crucial part of Android,” Samat said. “Whether in Southeast Asia, Latin America, or many other regions, it’s a major issue for their populations.”

He also admitted that current warning mechanisms are not always effective when scammers trick users into installing malicious apps.

“Our current warnings are not enough,” he admitted.

Google’s solution is to verify the identity of developers distributing large-scale apps, making it easier to alert users about unknown sources and track malicious actors. Meanwhile, Samat emphasized that advanced users can still install apps that are not verified by Google.

“We will design a process that allows experienced users to install unverified software,” he confirmed, adding that this mechanism is still being finalized.

“We want to inform users: this app comes from this source. But that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe; users still need to judge for themselves. At least you know who the source is, and can better decide—do I trust this person? That’s very important,” he added.

For Google, the challenge is balancing two core principles of Android: openness and security.

Google previously indicated that the new sideloading process would be “high-threshold,” but Samat did not disclose specific details, only saying that the team is actively working on it and it will be launched soon.

“If the platform can’t protect vulnerable users, it won’t succeed; if it doesn’t uphold openness, it also won’t succeed,” Samat said. On foldable screens, Pixel, and eye-catching phones:

Then, the conversation shifted to a lighter topic: which Android phones Samat personally favors most right now.

As someone who has access to nearly all Android devices on the market, he has a unique perspective on the ecosystem’s trends. He mentioned that one of the biggest trends is form factor innovation, especially that foldable phones are becoming thinner and lighter.

During the interview, he carried a Galaxy Z Fold7, saying that its large screen and multitasking capabilities are often used for work; of course, he also carried a Pixel phone.

“I also brought the Pixel 10 Pro—the smaller model, especially after supporting MagSafe, the experience is excellent,” he said. “It’s my weekend device—very lightweight, and the camera is fantastic.”

Samat also praised recent Motorola models for their materials and colors, and pointed out that Nothing has gained a large following among young users.

“My son is very into Nothing,” he said. “They’re doing a great job attracting young consumers.”

At MWC, he also mentioned Xiaomi’s latest flagship, calling the Xiaomi 17 Ultra an “extremely stunning” phone.

The phones Samat carries are all without cases, and when asked why, he smiled.

“I really don’t want to use cases, especially on phones I think are beautifully designed,” he said, joking that working at Google gives him “a safety net.”

“I know I’m in a special position because I have so many phones,” he joked. “Even if I drop one, I can get a new one quickly.”

Amid new hardware forms, evolving AI capabilities, and ongoing debates over openness and security, Android is entering another transformative moment. If Samat and Google’s vision for Android comes true, this platform will no longer just be our operating software but an intelligent system actively serving us.