Google’s Gemini overlay gets a sleek new look in beta
Google is in the process of rolling out a fresh redesign for the Gemini overlay on Android, which has started appearing to more beta testers as of this Monday morning. This update brings a more compact and user-friendly interface to the forefront.
Previously, the Gemini overlay would appear when users activated it with phrases like “Hey Google,” or by long-pressing the power button or swiping up from the screen’s corners. The new design significantly reduces the overlay’s size, aligning it neatly with the Google Search bar on Pixel devices. It now features a simple text field with only a ‘plus’ menu, a microphone icon, and a shortcut to Gemini Live.
The redesign introduces a distinctive blue/purple glow around the overlay, enhancing its visual appeal. The voice input button has been updated to a circular design, and the text input option is activated by tapping “Ask Gemini.” The camera shortcut, previously more prominent, has now been integrated into the ‘plus’ menu for a cleaner look.
Notably, Google has eliminated the traditional greeting messages and removed the direct shortcut to the full app, making the interface less cluttered. The overlay can now expand to accommodate up to four lines of text for longer queries, providing flexibility without sacrificing screen space.
The Gemini app’s homepage has also seen changes, with the camera shortcut now tucked into the ‘plus’ menu alongside options like Gallery, Files, and Drive, the latter two being exclusive to Gemini Advanced users. The Gemini Live feature has been streamlined into a thinner pill-shaped bar, and the animation for text input has been simplified to a basic circle around the microphone.
This redesign is visible after force stopping the Gemini or Google app on several Pixel devices running the Google app beta version 16.1.43, but it hasn’t yet reached devices on the stable channel or non-Pixel devices like Samsung or OnePlus. This update is available across free Google accounts, Gemini Advanced, and Workspace accounts, promising a more intuitive experience for users.