C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
TL;DR Google is testing a new voice and song search UI in the Google app beta.
The redesign uses animations in the style of AI Mode and removes recent searches.
The test appears to be server-side, so only select users will see it so far.
Google seems to be testing a refresh of the way voice search looks inside the Google app, including the Shazam-like song search section. To the surprise of no one, the redesign makes it feel more in line with the company’s AI features.
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As spotted by Telegram user @shishirverm, the change has started showing up in version 16.36.40.sa.arm64 beta of the Google app. Right now, tapping the microphone icon in the Google app or the home screen widget brings up a screen that says “listening…” and some recent searches plus search suggestions underneath. If you press the “Search for a song” button, you get another page with an animation and a small prompt to play, sing, or hum a song.
Current voice search screen. Current song search screen. New voice search screen. New song search screen.
In the new design, the previous and suggested searches are gone. The main voice search screen now uses the same pulsing animation you’ll see when using voice search in Google’s AI mode, asking you, “What’s on your mind?” The song search page has also been reworked with the same animation and a much bigger and bolder “Play Sing Hum” message that’s hard to miss.
The images above compare the old and new UI, and the video below shows the redesigned voice and song search in action.
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