Google accidentally leaks experimental COSMO AI assistant on Play Store

Google appears to have accidentally released COSMO, a high-powered experimental AI assistant, on the Google Play Store ahead of the Google I/O 2026 conference.

Although published under the company’s main account and attributed to Google Research, the app was swiftly removed, confirming it was likely an internal test bed not yet intended for public consumption.

The brief listing has offered a rare glimpse into the technology giant's next-generation on-device ambitions, suggesting a significant shift in how mobile intelligence will operate.

The application required a substantial 1.13 GB download, primarily because it bundles a local version of the Gemini Nano model.

This allows the AI to process data directly on the Android device rather than relying on cloud servers. Despite requesting extensive system permissions, early users reported a basic chat interface consistent with its experimental nature.

COSMO showcased a wide array of automated capabilities, including document and calendar tools that draft letters, summarise texts, and suggest entries based on conversation context.

Furthermore, the assistant is designed to utilise a browser agent to automate web tasks and perform "Deep Research" for complex queries.

Features such as Quick Photo Lookup and Recall aim to help users find specific memories without exiting a conversation.

The leak comes just weeks before Google I/O 2026, fueling intense speculation that COSMO represents the future of the Android experience.

Historically, Google has used its annual developer conference to debut major OS upgrades, and this accidental release suggests COSMO may eventually replace or significantly enhance current Gemini integrations.