Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 Introduces New Gemini Launch Animation and AI Features

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 tests new Gemini launch animation with vibration

Google is testing a new launch animation for the Gemini overlay with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. It also suggests the missing vibration is just a bug. With Beta 2, the "Press & hold power button" gesture to launch Gemini stopped vibrating. The haptic feedback when accessing the Power menu remains, so this is most likely a bug for the Digital assistant option. Google is now testing a new launch animation for the Gemini overlay. For users that have this A/B test, the vibration is back. Upon activation, your current screen starts to shrink. When the black borders (which come in from all sides) reach their farthest point, the Gemini overlay starts to slide up with Share screen with Live, Ask about screen, and the Ask Gemini field, with its usual animation. At the same time, the window returns to its fullscreen interface and you can ask your question. It looks nice on a device (and is completely smooth compared to the hard edges that briefly appear in the screen capture above), with the intended visual effect being how the physical borders of your display are shrinking. This is not widely rolled out and only appearing on one of our Pixel devices. Besides this Gemini launch animation, Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 is also A/B testing a redesigned Pixel Launcher search field with AI Mode. It disappeared across all of my devices on Friday, but the new gradient 'G' logo is still there.

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 Update Brings New Launch Animation for Gemini

The overlay reportedly has Share Screen with Live and other options Google released Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 last week. One of the changes which did not make the headlines but is included in the update is a new launch animation for Gemini, its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. According to a report, the tech giant is testing this new animation for the Gemini overlay where the screen starts to shrink to make room for the overlay. It also includes fixed support for haptics along with Share screen with Live and Ask about screen options. 9to5Google discovered the new launch animation in the Android 16 Beta QPR1 Beta 2 update. The Press & hold power button gesture is said to invoke the Gemini overlay along with a haptic feedback. While some users previously reported not being able to experience the vibration, the report mentions that it is just a bug. Users who have this split A/B test report that the haptics have been fixed in the update. When the AI assistant is invoked, the screen reportedly starts to shrink, with the new overlay sliding up. Those running the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update will also reportedly see options such as Share Screen with Live and Ask about screen options, along with the usual Ask Gemini text field. As per the report, it results in a visual effect which mimics the shrinking of the display borders. The feature is said to be part of a smaller rollout, with only a handful of Pixel devices having access to it at the moment. In addition to this new launch animation for the Gemini overlay, the update also reportedly includes a redesign of the Pixel Launcher search bar. It is said to have shrunk in size and adds an AI Mode option next to it. Another feature in the latest Android 16 Beta is support for connected displays which improves the Android desktop windowing experience when a supported Android smartphone or tablet is connected to an external screen. Other notable features include flexible window tiling, enhanced app compatibility treatments, and multi-instance management.