Google has announced that it will remove the dedicated search button on Android devices. This is what we know so far
Google may be making some major changes to its app that could result in the removal of the bottom search bar that has become a familiar sight on all Android devices. The new change comes as the Sundar Pichai-led company continues to add new features to its AI-powered Gemini search.
The update was first spotted by whistleblower Assembly Debug (via Android Headline) in the Google beta app for Android version 15.32.37.28.arm64. Although Google is reportedly working on many layouts, none of them feature the search bar at the bottom of the page.
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Although Google has not yet officially confirmed the new change, let alone given a reason for removing the familiar search bar, the source suggests that the new UI changes are based on data analysis and are “modeled on the way actual users interact with the app.”
This doesn’t mean that the search bar will no longer be available in the Google app. The only part that will likely be affected by the new update is the search option in the Discover section or when browsing collections. Even the search widget will likely remain unchanged and work as before.
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The new changes come shortly after Google made sweeping design changes to the Play Store, removing the search bar at the top of the screen and adding a new search tab at the bottom.
Meanwhile, a recent report from 9to5Google revealed that Google is rolling out a new update that will limit users’ ability to customize the search bar widget on Android. The update is set to roll out to Pixel and Samsung devices first before making it to the stable version of the app for all users.
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Published: August 20, 2024, 10:15 AM IST
