We are so excited to announce the winners of the Google I/O 2026 Writing Challenge!
We asked you to explore the announcements from Google I/O 2026 and share your thoughts and firsthand takes. Wow, you delivered. The quality and depth of submissions genuinely impressed our team. From hands-on walkthroughs to bold opinions on what the announcements really mean for developers, the entries were thoughtful, original, and packed with insight.
Thank you to everyone who participated. Your writing helps make this community one of the best places on the internet to learn what's actually happening in tech.
Now, let's celebrate our five winners! 🎉
🏆 Congratulations To…
The Sleeper Announcement from Google I/O 2026 That Will Change How We Think About Apps
Google I/O Writing Challenge Submission
@vrushali_dev_15 wrote a standout deep-dive into AppFunctions — Android's new API for exposing app capabilities directly to AI agents. With 10 years of Android experience behind the lens, this post goes far beyond the surface announcement to map out the full architectural shift this signals and what developers should be thinking about right now, even before shipping a single AppFunction.
The Most Underrated Announcement from Google I/O 2026 Was Buried in a 90-Second Demo
Google I/O Writing Challenge Submission
@tahosin spotted what most I/O coverage missed entirely: the Managed Agents API, buried in a 90-second demo. After two days of hands-on testing, the post delivers a clear-eyed breakdown of why this low-key announcement might matter more than all the Gemini headlines combined.
Google Is Killing Gemini CLI on June 18. Here Is What to Do Before Then
Google I/O Writing Challenge Submission
@toboreeee gave developers a practical heads-up on something that could easily slip by: Gemini CLI deprecating on June 18. Rather than just reporting the news, the post walks readers through exactly what to do before the cutoff. Genuinely useful and well-timed.
I gave Gemini 3.5 Flash a CVE-fix PR to review. It found another bug in the same file.
Google I/O Writing Challenge Submission
@vicente_junior_dev did something rare: actually tested the thing. Running Gemini 3.5 Flash across 3 real production PRs, including a CVE fix, the post documents what the model caught. Grounded, honest, and exactly the kind of first-person experimentation we love to see.
Why Local AI Was the Real Winner of Google I/O 2026 (An Insider’s Take)
Google I/O Writing Challenge Submission
@rinisvs made the case that through all the Gemini and cloud buzz, the real story of Google I/O 2026 was local AI. With an insider's perspective, this piece cuts through the hype and lays out why on-device intelligence may be the most consequential long-term thread running through the entire event.
Prizes
Each winner will receive:
- $200 USD
- DEV++ Membership
- Exclusive DEV badge
All participants with a valid submission will receive a completion badge — keep an eye on your DEV profile!
What's Next?
Check out our current game challenge:
Happy Coding! 💚