Gemini Overlay Gets a New Animation on Android as Part of Material 3 Expressive

Google is gearing up to add a new animation to Gemini's power button gesture on Android 16. The gesture has been a part of Pixel devices for a long time and helps users quickly ask questions to Gemini about the screen or via voice.

Spotted first by 9to5Google, Google is testing a new Gemini animation for the Gemini overlay in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. It appears to complement the Material 3 Expressive changes that Google pushed with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1.

As for the animation, pressing and holding the Power button will shrink the screen from the edges a bit before the phone gives off a light vibration before and after invoking the Gemini overlay. However, the haptic feedback seems to be broken for some users.

We tested it out on both Pixel 8a and Pixel 6, and the animation seems to work well alongside the haptics. However, the animation only appears when the user presses the power button and not during the Swipe to invoke assistant gesture, where it should've also been present.

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 rolled out recently, bringing new features like Desktop Mode, and Material 3 Expressive volume sliders in settings. Google is expected to roll out more Material 3 Expressive changes in the upcoming versions. For Android 16 stable users, rumours suggest the UI revamp could drop on September 3.

Android 16 brings many features including Live Notifications, new privacy APIs, an Advanced Protection Mode, and much more. With Material 3 Expressive, it's easily one of the biggest Android releases since Android 12.

The Gemini overlay has also seen multiple revamps since it was introduced, which include the subtle gradient border animations and features like Share screen with Live, and a Gemini Live button to hop go Live directly from the screen.