Google Tests Gemini Bubble to Preserve Overlay Chats

Overview

• Tech sites reported on Thursday that Google is testing a change where the Gemini overlay shrinks into a small floating bubble instead of closing when you tap outside the panel.
• The bubble is marked with a Gemini spark icon and uses a fresh gradient and smoother open/close animations in the latest test builds.
• Google’s on-screen prompt explains the behavior as a multitasking feature that lets users tap to expand the bubble, drag to move it, or dismiss the session.
• The feature is currently limited to beta and test builds, with sightings tied to Android 17 QPR1 Beta and not yet available on stable Android releases.
• Beyond fixing the problem of lost chats when the overlay closed, the bubble leverages Android 17’s app-bubble system and could let people keep conversations handy while they use other apps.