Google’s AI assistant appears to be getting a cleaner, more actionable home screen. An APK teardown of the latest Google app beta suggests a redesigned Gemini landing page is being tested with a small cohort of users, hinting at a wider rollout once polishing wraps up.
A more task-first layout
In the Google app version 16.35.63 beta, Gemini’s home screen swaps subtle chips for large, central shortcut buttons that sit prominently above the input field. This reoriented layout puts common actions—like drafting, brainstorming, or analyzing images—front and center, echoing the quick-access approach popularized by other AI assistants.
The input row itself also gains a new options button alongside the existing “+” upload icon. Together, they streamline access to file attachments and settings without crowding the typing area. It’s a small but meaningful shift that cuts a tap or two from frequent workflows.
Suggestions tuned to your activity
Beyond layout, Google is experimenting with on-page suggestions that surface in the center of the home screen. These prompts appear to reference signals from a user’s Google activity to offer context-aware starting points—think “summarize my recent Drive notes,” “plan a weekend trip to Denver,” or “turn this photo into a product description.”
Because this is early-stage testing, behavior may change, and the feature might be gated by account settings like Web & App Activity. If it ships broadly, expect clear controls and the usual privacy toggles Google associates with personalization. The company has taken a similar approach across Search and Assistant history controls for years.
Cleaner hub for connected apps
Gemini’s “Apps” area—the place where services connect into the assistant—also appears to be under renovation. Test builds show a decluttered top half that puts integrations and capabilities in view sooner, reducing text density and visual noise. It’s a sensible move as Gemini’s ecosystem grows to include staples like Maps, YouTube, Drive, and Flights.
This mirrors a broader industry trend. OpenAI has emphasized easy discovery for GPT-based tools, while Microsoft has simplified Copilot’s plugin and connector onboarding. Gemini’s cleaner Apps page should make it easier for newcomers to find value quickly without hunting through menus.
What the teardown tells us—and what it doesn’t
APK teardowns can reveal features hiding behind server-side flags, but they don’t guarantee timing. The presence of these assets in version 16.35.63, and the fact that some users are already seeing the redesign live, suggests a near-term rollout, though Google can still pause or pivot based on feedback.
The scale of impact is notable. Gemini primarily rides inside the Google app, which boasts billions of installs on Android, so even modest UI tweaks can affect an enormous user base. For context, OpenAI has cited over 100 million weekly active users for ChatGPT, underscoring how interface changes in leading AI products can quickly shift behavior at scale.
Why this matters for everyday use
AI assistants win or lose on the first 10 seconds of interaction. By pushing high-intent shortcuts and context-aware suggestions into the center of the screen, Gemini reduces cognitive load and makes the “What should I ask?” moment less intimidating. That can translate into more frequent, higher-quality sessions—especially on mobile, where attention is scarce.
Personalized prompts also nudge Gemini closer to being a proactive companion rather than a passive chatbot. If the assistant can anticipate tasks from your recent activity and surface them responsibly, it shortens the path from idea to output, whether you’re summarizing a meeting, planning a grocery run, or prepping a presentation.
How to try the new look
The redesign is currently visible to a limited number of users on the latest beta build of the Google app, and even then, it’s controlled by server-side switches. Joining the beta and keeping the app updated may improve your odds, but there’s no toggle to force-enable the changes. Expect a gradual rollout if Google’s internal metrics look good.
Bottom line: the revamped home screen, activity-based suggestions, and cleaner Apps hub all point to an assistant that’s faster to start, easier to trust, and better integrated with the services people already use. If testing holds, the Gemini you open soon could feel more deliberate—and more useful—right from the first tap.