Google is testing an update to Circle to Search on Android that sees any follow-up queries routed to AI Mode with a new bottom search bar design.
Previously, after using Circle to Search, the bottom sheet that appears would match the usual results page. This includes the bar at the top that lets you expand or start a new query.
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Google is now testing a new design where you initially get the 10 blue link results like before, but any subsequent queries are handled by AI Mode. There’s a new bar docked to the bottom of your screen, while the top-left corner just shows the gradient ‘G’ logo. There’s a floating pill, which can be closed, in the bottom-right corner to leave thumbs up/down feedback.
Tapping “Ask anything” with a microphone for voice input brings up the AI Mode experience — complete with a ‘plus’ menu that lets you access Nano Banana, with a list of suggested queries above that maintain the CtS context. After the prompt, you’re taken to that full AI experience.
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Over the years, Google has experimented with a bottom search bar for the Search app on Android. This redesign never launched, and was nice for one-handed usage. In the AI era, any switch to bottom search would evoke a chatbot for most people, and that’s what Google is doing with Circle to Search and AI Mode.
We’re seeing this with the latest Google app beta (version 16.47). It’s not yet in the stable channel.
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