Google Reworks Gemini Sidebar, Experiments with Glowing Overlay Animation

Google is testing a redesign of Gemini’s sidebar in the Android Google app. The change, spotted in unreleased code rather than a public release, suggests the company wants to make the assistant easier to navigate on phones.

At present, users must move to the top of the sidebar to start a new conversation. The tested version moves the New chat button to the bottom-right corner, placing it closer to the thumb during one-handed use. The redesign does not appear to replace the sidebar’s core structure. Instead, Google seems to be refining the placement of key controls while keeping the familiar navigation model intact.

A Richer Overlay Animation

Alongside the sidebar changes, Google is testing a revised animation for the Gemini overlay. The overlay appears when users activate the assistant over another app on an Android device.

The current animation displays a dot-like pattern near the bottom of the screen. The experimental version extends that sequence and finishes with a glow spreading across the lower edges of the display.

The effect aligns with Google’s broader Neural Expressive design language. This approach uses blurred surfaces, translucent edges, floating specks and color swirls to give Gemini’s interface a more fluid, animated feel. The updated overlay adds a heavy blur to the prompt bar, makes its edges harder to distinguish, and leaves the outer edge translucent after the animation ends. 

Why the Changes Matter

The sidebar update focuses on usability. By moving New chat to the bottom-right, Google could reduce the reach required to begin a fresh conversation, especially on larger Android phones.

The overlay changes focus on visual polish. A smoother, more expressive launch animation may make Gemini feel more integrated with Android rather than appearing as a separate assistant layer.

The developments also show that Google continues to invest in Gemini’s interface. The company has already redesigned parts of the Gemini app, updated Gemini Live and experimented with new interfaces across its Android ecosystem. 

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