Gemini Live Gets a Redesign

For too long, using Gemini Live meant committing your entire screen to the conversation. That barrier is officially coming down. On February 28, 2026, Google began a wider rollout of a major interface overhaul: the floating pill redesign.

This update transforms Gemini Live from a rigid, full-screen app into a flexible, "chathead-style" companion that lives on top of your other apps, making true multitasking with AI a reality.

What’s New? The Floating Pill & Draggable Circle

The redesign moves away from the standard Android status bar indicator and introduces a dynamic, interactive container that visually matches the Gemini text overlay.

1. The Floating Pill (Expanded View)

When you minimize a Live session, it becomes a compact "pill" that sits on your screen. This pill is packed with utility:

• Real-Time Transcription: You can see what the AI is saying in text form directly above the controls without jumping back into the app.
• Quick Controls: Effortlessly mute your microphone, end the session, or trigger screen/camera sharing.
• Visual Feedback: The background of the pill features a subtle, glowing animation of the Gemini Live waveform to show it’s actively listening.

2. The Draggable Circle (Collapsed View)

If you need even more screen real estate, the pill shrinks into a small, movable circle, similar to a Facebook Messenger Chathead.

• Drag Anywhere: Move the circle to any corner of your screen so it stays out of the way of your work.
• Tap to Expand: A single tap brings back the pill controls, and a double-tap (or opening the app) restores the full-screen experience.

Why This Matters: The Path to Project Astra

This isn't just a cosmetic change. It’s a functional shift that mirrors the seamless interaction Google teased with Project Astra.

By making Gemini Live a floating element, you can now:

• Research while talking: Browse a website or check your emails while Gemini helps you synthesize the information in real-time.
• Guide your navigation: Keep a conversation going while using Google Maps without switching screens.
• Collaborate on Docs: Ask Gemini for creative feedback while you are actively typing in a separate window.

AI is most powerful when it works alongside you, not instead of your other apps. With the new floating pill, Gemini Live finally feels like the companion it was always meant to be.