Google tests AI Mode shortcut in Android Search bar, replacing voice and Lens icons

Google is testing a significant UI change to make AI Mode more accessible directly from the Search bar on Android devices. The new design replaces the traditional voice and Lens icons with a prominent AI Mode circle, creating a more streamlined entry point for users to access Google’s generative AI capabilities. This update represents Google’s ongoing efforts to integrate AI Mode more deeply into its core search experience as the feature continues to expand its availability.

The big picture: Google is experimenting with a more prominent placement for AI Mode by integrating it directly into the Search field on Android.

• The new design replaces the voice and Lens icons with an AI Mode circle that allows users to immediately start typing queries.
• This change follows recent AI Mode enhancements, including the addition of Google Lens integration for visual searches from within the AI interface.

Key details: The updated Search bar design removes the colorful carousel of shortcuts in favor of a more streamlined approach.

• Previously, users accessed AI Mode through a shortcut underneath the Search bar, alongside buttons for Screenshots, Translate, and Homework filters.
• The new implementation places AI Mode more prominently in the user interface, potentially signaling Google’s increased confidence in the feature.

Behind the testing: Google’s experimentation appears limited in scope at present.

• The company is currently testing this design on only a select number of devices.
• Free users in the US can now sign up for AI Mode through Search Labs, expanding the potential user base for feedback.

Cross-platform developments: Google is also enhancing AI Mode accessibility on other platforms.

• iOS users can now launch AI Mode from a customizable homescreen widget.
• A similar widget functionality is expected to come to Android, which recently added new shortcuts for News and Saved content.