Google is currently changing how users interact with Gemini Live on Android. Since its debut, the AI voice feature has primarily occupied the entire screen, often making it difficult to use other apps simultaneously. However, a new redesign introduces a floating pill that moves away from the rigid fullscreen layout, offering a more flexible experience for multitasking with Google Gemini.
This update bridges the gap between a full conversation and quick navigation. Users can now collapse the Gemini Live interface instead of being stuck with just one view. This keeps the main controls close at hand. This way, the AI feels more like a background companion than an app that needs your full attention all the time.
Gemini Live makes multitasking easier with Floating Pill UI
As 9to5Google reports, the redesign offers two main ways to access the new look. Users can either activate the Gemini overlay and tap the Live icon or simply exit to the home screen while a session is active. Once minimized, the interface transforms into a small, floating pill that sits on top of other applications.
This compact container isn’t just for show; it houses several essential tools. With the pill, you can mute your microphone, end the session, or even start sharing your screen or camera. The background of the pill features a subtle animation of the Gemini Live waveform, while a text transcription appears directly above the controls. If you move to another task, the pill shrinks into a small circle that you can drag anywhere on the screen. The look is similar to a messaging chathead.
The most significant advantage of this change is how it handles information flow. Users can toggle the text transcription on or off from a corner menu, allowing them to read what the AI is saying without returning to the main app. If you need to dive back into a deeper conversation, tapping the circle restores the fullscreen view immediately.
Interestingly, this design change fits with Google’s recent demonstrations of Project Astra , which focused on seamless AI interactions with computers. Google makes it easier for people to look at a website, check their email, or use a map while still talking to the assistant by making the interface smaller.
Rollout and future updates
Currently, the redesign is appearing gradually on devices running the stable version of the Google app. While it isn’t available to everyone just yet, its appearance often signals that a larger model update is on the horizon.
