Google is quietly testing a major visual overhaul for its Gemini AI app, shifting from a traditional chatbot interface to an Instagram-like scrollable feed packed with colorful prompt suggestions and eye-catching photos. The timing couldn't be more strategic - OpenAI's video editing app Sora just knocked Gemini off the top spot in the U.S. App Store, and Google appears ready to fight back with a completely reimagined user experience.
Google just got caught working on something big. The company's Gemini AI app is getting a complete visual transformation that could change how millions interact with AI assistants. Instead of staring at a blank chat screen wondering what to ask, users would scroll through a vibrant feed of suggested prompts accompanied by striking visuals.
The discovery came from reverse engineers at Android Authority, who dug into the latest Gemini Android app code and found the hidden interface. While Google hasn't officially announced anything - a spokesperson told TechCrunch there's "no announcement to be made just yet" - the leaked screenshots reveal a dramatic departure from the current minimalist design.
The new home screen pushes key functions like "Create Image" and "Deep Research" to the top, then unfolds into an Instagram-style scrollable feed. Sample prompts include playful suggestions like "teleport me to deep space," "give me a vintage or grunge look," and "turn my drawing into a storybook." Other cards showcase practical use cases: "brainstorm out loud with Live" and "send me a daily news roundup."
This isn't just about aesthetics - it's strategic warfare in the AI app market. OpenAI's video editing app Sora recently dethroned Gemini from the #1 spot on the U.S. App Store, ending Google's impressive September run when its Nano Banana image model had propelled the app to the top. The visual redesign could be Google's answer to reclaim that crown.
The timing reveals Google's growing recognition that user experience matters as much as underlying AI capabilities. While ChatGPT maintains its stark, minimalist interface that greets users with a largely blank screen, Google is betting that inspiration trumps intimidation. The scrollable feed essentially functions as a discovery engine, showing users what's possible rather than leaving them to figure it out.
Google's approach makes sense given Gemini's multimodal strengths. The app can generate images, analyze photos, conduct research, and handle complex reasoning tasks - but many users never explore these capabilities. The visual prompts could unlock usage patterns that drive deeper engagement and longer session times.
