Google recently added an AI Mode shortcut to the Pixel Launcher’s search bar, making it easy to jump into AI-powered searches from your home screen. However, not everyone loves this new feature. Some users find it annoying, often tapping it by mistake when trying to do a regular search. The good news?

Google is working on a way to let you remove it. According to a recent discovery in the Google app (version 16.26.64.sa.arm64), a new setting called “Customize Pixel Search Box” is coming soon. This option will appear in the Google app’s settings menu. Once you tap it, you’ll see a simple toggle to turn off the AI Mode shortcut.

When you disable it, the search bar should go back to its original look, without the extra AI button. This feature seems ready to roll out, though it’s not widely available yet. We’ll keep you updated when it officially launches. For now, if the AI Mode shortcut bothers you, you might consider using a third-party launcher like Nova or Microsoft Launcher, which lets you customize or remove the search bar entirely.

These launchers give you more control over your home screen, but you’ll lose some of the Pixel Launcher’s unique features. Hopefully, Google’s upcoming toggle will solve the issue for those who want to stick with the default setup. Stay tuned for more updates.

Google is giving its Gemini app a colorful update, making it look sharper and more user-friendly on mobile devices. The app’s new icon, now widely available, swaps the old blue-purple gradient for a vibrant blue design. This change is part of a broader effort to simplify the app’s appearance and align it with Google’s signature style, featuring red, blue, green, and yellow hues.

The updated greeting screen now shines in solid blue, creating a clean and welcoming vibe for users.Alongside the icon change, Google is testing a lively new animation for the Gemini overlay on Android.

This feature adds a smooth, bouncy effect when the overlay appears, making interactions feel more dynamic. The overlay, activated by actions like long-pressing the power button or saying “Hey Google,” is also getting a compact redesign.

It now includes a smaller text field with a bright blue-purple glow, a “plus” menu for quick actions, and shortcuts for voice input and Gemini Live. These updates aim to make the app easier to use while keeping it visually appealing.

The changes are rolling out gradually, with the new icon already live in the latest Gemini app versions for Android (1.0.776555963) and iOS (1.2025.2562103).

The overlay animation and redesign are still in testing, spotted in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, but should reach more users soon. These tweaks show Google’s focus on blending style and function to enhance the Gemini experience.

Google’s At a Glance widget, a handy feature on Pixel home screens, shows quick info like weather, calendar events, and more. Recently, Android 16 QPR1 beta users noticed a change: the weather icons have gone flat and colorless. Instead of vibrant images—like a yellow sun behind white clouds for a cloudy day—these new icons are plain and lack color, making them less eye-catching.

This update, spotted only in the Android 16 QPR1 beta and not in the stable Android 16 version, has divided users. Some like the clean, minimalist look, saying it feels modern and uncluttered. Others miss the colorful icons, arguing they were easier to understand at a glance.

The change affects how weather info appears on the Pixel Launcher’s home screen, where At a Glance displays key details.Google hasn’t said if this new style will roll out to all users or stay exclusive to the beta. For now, it’s a test that’s got people talking.

Some users hope Google will bring back the colorful icons or offer a way to choose between styles. Others are fine with the simpler design, saying it fits Android’s sleek vibe. If you’re in the beta and noticing the change, you’re not alone. Share your thoughts—do you prefer the new look or the old colorful one? Google might be listening.