Google Tests New 'AI Mode' Shortcut for Mobile Search, Signaling Shift in User Experience

Google is testing shortcut for the upcoming 'AI Mode' for search on mobile

Google is ramping up efforts to make AI overviews more comprehensive and visible in search results. As it looks to evolve the overviews into more elaborate responses, the search giant might also include them in search results on mobile apps on Android and iOS. Google is reportedly experimenting with a shortcut within its Android app for the expected "AI Mode," which is currently being tested internally. Android Authority reverse-engineered the WIP feature and discovered an AI mode shortcut that sits right under the search bar. This shortcut replaces the current icons for image/audio search or translation shortcuts from Google Lens. However, separate icons for voice search and Google Lens appear in the new interface, suggesting Google may not do away with Lens (and replace it with a Gemini-powered image search) immediately. Recommended Videos Notably, the icon for the new mode is identical to what Google uses for Gemini Live -- the interactive and conversational mode for its AI chatbot, Android Authority spotted references in the app's internal code, calling it "Search Live." This suggests the feature might have a purpose dedicated to Google search primarily. Please enable Javascript to view this content AI Mode could change how we Google With AI chatbots slowly creeping up as the conversational alternatives to traditional web search, Google can't possibly be missing out on the opportunity. Besides letting us search for information through its own Gemini chatbot, Google is sliding AI into web search, and the purported AI mode is being considered an extension of AI overviews. Based on leaked screenshots, the AI mode would offer more descriptive responses on top of search results, similar to responses in Gemini. Instead of listing the top results from websites, the AI mode could simply collate information from different web pages while adding a link to the source. It would also offer the option to ask follow-up questions while occupying the entire first fold of the search results. The feature is currently being evaluated internally at Google, which could translate to some modifications when it reaches the public. With search ads being Google's primary source of revenue, it would also be interesting to witness how it accommodates them in the AI mode -- especially if it is set as the default search interface.

Google Is Working on a New Shortcut for Its 'AI Mode' Search Feature

The AI mode icon said to resemble the Gemini Live icon Google app for Android is also said to get multiple new icons The icon was spotted in the Google app beta v16.6 Google Search could soon get a new 'AI mode' that was recently spotted in development. An icon that could be used to represent the purported artificial intelligence (AI) mode has been spotted by a publication. A new icon resembling the Gemini Live feature has arrived on the latest Google app beta release. This is said to be the new icon the Mountain View-based tech giant will use for the Search app's AI-powered interface. This new tool was first spotted in December 2024, and it is said to offer a full-screen interface where users can type complex queries that are difficult for the traditional search engine to answer. Android Authority reports that the company could rearrange several icons on the Google app home interface, ahead of the introduction of the rumoured Google Search AI mode. The new icons were spotted by the publication during an Android application package (APK) teardown of the Google app beta 16.6.23 for Android smartphones. As the new icons and shortcuts are still in development, beta testers will not be able to see them even after updating to the latest version.However, screenshots shared by the publication give us a good look at the new interface that could replace the four existing icons representing Google Lens' camera. Currently, Google shows shortcuts for translate, homework, and music search options. These could be replaced with three new icons. The second and third icons are for the microphone and Google Lens, but the first one is a new waveform-shaped icon. As per the report, the new icon, which has two additional lines compared to Gemini Live's icon, is for a new feature dubbed Search Live. The name was found within the code of the Google app. It is speculated that Search Live could be a two-way voice conversation feature for the upcoming AI mode. Alternatively, it could also be an internal name used to reference the AI Mode. Considering the icon duplication and inconsistency in naming, it is likely that the icon and the feature could undergo further updates, and the final version could be quite different. A report earlier this month claimed that the tech giant is internally testing the AI mode. The company is said to have shared an email to employees inviting them to use and test the feature. It is unclear if or when the feature will be rolled out to users.

Google app preps for Search's AI Mode with a new selection of shortcuts (APK teardown)

The new shortcuts could give users quick access to Search's upcoming AI Mode, Voice Search, and Lens. The Google app could soon get a minor UI change in preparation for the upcoming AI Mode for Google Search. Google appears to be working on offering users a different selection of shortcuts under the Search bar, which includes one for the conversational search experience. Currently, the home page of the Google app on Android and iOS features four shortcut buttons under the Search bar. These shortcuts let you quickly perform an image search, translate text, get help with homework, or perform a song search. However, we've spotted a new selection of shortcuts that could replace these options in the latest beta of the Google Home app (version 16.6.23). As you can see in the attached screenshots, the updated home page features three slightly larger shortcut buttons under the Search bar. The second and third shortcuts appear to be the same as the Voice Search and Lens shortcuts already available within the Search bar. Although the icon in the first shortcut resembles the icon Google uses for Gemini Live, we believe it could launch Search's upcoming AI Mode. In addition to this icon featuring two more vertical lines than the Gemini Live icon, we've spotted code that refers to this shortcut as "Search Live." This is likely an alternate name for the in-development AI Mode, which, as we recently reported, could have a different icon altogether. Given this inconsistency and the fact that the updated home page features duplicate shortcuts for Voice Search and Lens, we suspect this UI could undergo further changes. We'll keep an eye on future developments and update this post as soon as we have more details.