Gemini live redesign replaces fullscreen interface on Android

At a glance:

• Gemini Live redesign removes fullscreen UI on Android
• New pill‑shaped prompt container with blue waveform appears
• Beta version 17.14 rolling out to Gemini app users

Gemini Live redesign details

The update replaces the previous fullscreen experience with a compact interface that still shows the “Live with Gemini” banner at the top and adds a transcript button for easier access to conversation history. Google also moves the input area to a pill‑shaped container at the bottom, highlighted by a distinctive blue waveform that pulses during speech. Users can now share their camera or screen directly from the left, and a separate icon lets them mute the microphone, making controls more visible than the hidden gestures of earlier tests.

• Fullscreen UI removed
• Top bar now reads “Live with Gemini” and includes a transcript button
• Bottom pill‑shaped prompt container with blue waveform
• Camera and screen sharing controls on the left
• Microphone mute accessible via waveform or keyboard exit

Tapping the keyboard or using the system back gesture closes Gemini Live, giving users a familiar exit path that aligns with Android navigation patterns. This redesign aims to reduce visual clutter while preserving all core interaction modes, and early feedback from beta testers suggests the new layout feels more intuitive. Google says the change also improves accessibility for users who rely on keyboard navigation.

How the redesign differs from earlier tests

Previously Google experimented with an even more minimalist version that only displayed camera sharing and a keyboard icon, hiding mute functionality behind a double‑tap on the waveform. That hidden gesture was not obvious to most users, leading to confusion. The current test makes the mute action explicit and adds a visible transcript button, addressing usability concerns raised during the initial beta phase. The new approach also expands the beta to the Gemini app’s main homepage rather than a separate overlay, allowing Google to test the redesign across a broader user base in the 17.14 beta channel. This broader rollout signals Google’s intent to eventually replace the overlay version with a design that mirrors the in‑app experience, paving the way for future feature integrations. Analysts note that this move could accelerate feedback loops for upcoming AI features.

Availability and broader implications

The Gemini Live redesign is currently visible to users running the Gemini app beta version 17.14, though it remains limited to the Gemini app itself and does not affect the overlay version yet. Google has announced that Notebooks will become freely available to all Gemini app users, and the app will leverage Personal Intelligence combined with Photos to generate tailored “Nano Banana” content. Additionally, Google has launched a native Gemini app for macOS, extending the redesign’s reach beyond mobile devices. These changes reflect Google’s broader strategy to integrate Gemini more deeply into its ecosystem, offering richer AI interactions across platforms while maintaining a consistent visual language. The rollout also sets the stage for future updates that could incorporate more contextual features, such as location‑aware responses or enhanced media handling, which could reshape how users engage with AI assistants on both Android and desktop environments. Investors are watching closely as these UI shifts may influence adoption rates of Google’s AI services.