GoKawiilJoe Maring / Android Authority
TL;DR Google is testing a sidebar for the Gemini Android app that mimics the web version, including a “Settings & help” menu.
Further, the model switcher may move from the text input field to the top header to declutter the interface.
Google could also change how it highlights extensions used, as an upcoming release could focus on the last-used extension.
Just last week, we spotted Google adding a dedicated Settings option at the bottom of Gemini’s sidebar, similar to what we’ve seen on Gemini’s web interface. With this week’s release of the Google app v17.11.54 beta, we’ve spotted that Google is essentially copying the web interface into the Android app!
Google could copy part of Gemini’s web interface to the Android app Gemini can be used through its Android app (which is an extension of the Google app), but you can also navigate to the web version of Gemini through a browser. Most users would stick with the dedicated Android app, but if you’re used to the web version on a PC, for instance, there is some incentive to use Gemini’s web version on mobile too.
Within Google app v17.11.54 beta, we’ve enabled a UI that is similar to Gemini’s mobile web version.
Gemini Android app - Current UI Gemini on mobile web - Current UI Gemini Android app - Upcoming UI
Gemini’s mobile web version includes a “Settings & help” menu at the bottom of the sidebar, which is missing from the current Android app. However, Google could soon add this to the Android app in a future release. We also see similarities for “Scheduled actions” and “My stuff,” and the upcoming Notebooks (previously known as “Projects” within the app) section will also find its home here.
Further, you can see icons to collapse sections for Notebooks, Gems, and Chats, helping keep the interface tidy.
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