In October last year, Google made the Gemini app on mobile devices much simpler. They’ve now updated the Android version even more with the overlay redesign.

Before and After Design

The new Android homepage has changed the “Ask Gemini” area. The shortcuts for voice and camera are gone from the pill shape. Instead, the ‘plus’ menu now includes options like Camera, Gallery, Files, and Drive. Only Gemini Advanced subscribers get the last two options.

The app now looks cleaner without the line that used to be above the text bar.

Gemini Homepage Redesign

The text field is slightly smaller, and the Gemini Live button is now part of the main box, not separate. This look is similar to the updated web version from December. The old design had a fancy animation for voice input, but it’s now just a blue circle around the microphone, which is now filled in.

These changes are part of the overlay redesign, which isn’t available everywhere yet. Google is likely to update the iPhone version soon to match.

Speaking of iPhones, Google just updated their app on Monday (version 1.2025.0220100) with:

• Better keyboard support
• Improved dark mode
• Bug fixes

Android 15 has just hit the market, yet the buzz around Android 16 is already palpable. Google surprised everyone by releasing the developer preview for Android 16 back in November, setting the stage for an earlier-than-usual beta rollout.

According to a recent report, the first beta of Android 16 might be just around the corner, potentially launching on January 22nd. This news, while exciting, should be taken with caution as release dates can shift. The information stems from a conversation on the Android Gerrit, where a mention of “Beta 2 changes due for Jan 22” suggests the first beta could indeed be imminent.

Further details from the same discussion indicate that Beta 2 is slated for February 19th, with Beta 3 following on March 12th. The commentator appears to be closely connected to the development process, lending credibility to the timeline.

This potential release date aligns intriguingly with Samsung’s Galaxy S25 event, also scheduled for January 22nd. This overlap might overshadow Google’s announcement, although given Google and Samsung’s close partnership, it’s likely not coincidental.

Don’t expect groundbreaking features from this initial beta; it’s more about ensuring stability and compatibility. Still, the anticipation for what Google has in store with Android 16 keeps the tech community on its toes.

Android 16 Release Date Leaked! Coming in Quarter 1 of 2025 🌟

1) Beta 1: Jan 22nd 2025
2) Beta 2: Feb 19th 2025
3) Beta 3: March 12nd 2025 pic.twitter.com/Z7n2FS784j

— Tech Mukul | hyperosinsider.com (@TECH__MUKUL) January 19, 2025

Three months after the initial discovery, Pixel users can finally breathe a sigh of relief regarding the back gesture bug on Android 15. This issue, which emerged with the stable release of the OS, made navigating back through apps a frustrating multi-swipe ordeal, particularly when swiping from right to left.

The bug appeared to stem from the new default setting of predictive back gestures, which seemed to have escaped thorough testing. While the left-to-right swipe functioned normally, the right-to-left gesture was notably less responsive.

Users had previously resorted to workarounds like toggling or adjusting the sensitivity of gesture navigation, but results were inconsistent.

Thankfully, Google has now acknowledged the problem and marked it as fixed on their issue tracker. An upcoming security update, as reported by tech blogs, is expected to include this fix.

For those still grappling with the glitch, a temporary solution involves resetting the navigation settings:

• Navigate to Settings > System > Navigation mode.
• Switch to 3-button navigation.
• Restart your phone.
• Return to Settings > System > Navigation mode and re-enable Gesture navigation.

With this fix on the horizon, Pixel users can look forward to smoother, more intuitive navigation once again.