Google Gemini Gets a Makeover: Simplified Interface, Enhanced Features for Android, iOS and Web
Google is rolling out significant updates to its Gemini app and web interface, aiming for a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. These changes impact both Android and iOS users, as well as those accessing Gemini on the web, focusing on improving accessibility and highlighting key features.
Prompt Bar Redesign: The Gemini app on Android and iOS is getting a revamped prompt bar. The pill-shaped text field is being replaced with a rounded rectangle, even before users begin typing. A row of actions underneath the "Ask Gemini" field provides quick access to features like Camera, Gallery, Files, and Drive. Pill-shaped buttons for "Research" and "Canvas" offer additional functionality, while a three-dot icon reveals options like "Video" (Veo 2 generation).
The model picker has also been simplified. Deep Research and Veo 2 have been removed as separate models for Advanced subscribers, being better integrated as Gemini capabilities accessible via the new chips. The menu now features four core models:
- 2.0 Flash: Fast all-around help
- 2.5 Flash (preview): Our next reasoning model built for speed
- 2.5 Pro (preview): Reasoning, math & code
- Personalization (preview): Based on your Search history
The voice input microphone and Gemini Live button complete the redesigned prompt bar, creating a more feature-rich and intuitive interaction experience, matching the web UI.
Gemini’s Canvas: A Surprising Productivity Tool: For those who feel the AI aspect is only gimmicky and not helpful, Gemini's Canvas feature offers surprising value. Canvas serves as a workspace for text editing and coding, allowing users to create and directly edit documents and code. Code can be run directly within Canvas, proving particularly useful for HTML-based applets. Furthermore, users can now easily export documents to Google Docs, streamlining the project workflow to other phases.
Canvas also allows users to organize brainstorms and drafts efficiently. It enables managing multiple documents, such as writing pitches for articles in one document and turning those into drafts in another. For example, Gemini can be commanded to "change the status of [x] pitch to 'Finished' in the pitch doc," demonstrating its understanding of context and ability to manage tasks across different documents.
In addition, it is a great tool for formatting and presentation using Markdown, handling commands like converting subheadings to H2 or moving sections, all through conversational prompts.
Simplified Model Selection on the Web: Google is streamlining the Gemini web experience by decluttering the model picker. Tools like Veo 2 and Deep Research are moving to the prompt bar for Gemini Advanced subscribers, ensuring easy access to video generation and in-depth research capabilities. The model selector now highlights key models paired with updated descriptions.
The prompt bar will adapt its displayed options based on screen size, showing all major options on desktops and nesting some within an overflow menu on smaller devices.
These updates to Google Gemini represent a push towards a more refined, feature-rich, and accessible AI experience across multiple platforms. The simplified interface and enhanced features aim to empower users to harness the power of AI in a more intuitive and productive manner. What do you think of these changes? Share your opinion in the comments below!
