Android’s ‘Search’ bar now lets you ‘Ask Google’ and AI Mode

Source: 9to5Google

Google’s expansion of AI Mode continues today with an integration into the Search bar on Android devices.

Tapping the bar at the bottom of the Pixel Launcher reveals a fullscreen interface that is (unfortunately) mostly unchanged. However, the “Search…” prompt has been replaced by “Ask Google.”

The bigger change is that the ‘G’ logo has been removed in favor of a plus menu. Tapping it lets you:

• Add an image (Gallery or Camera) to your query
• Change the query to an AI Mode prompt
• Use Nano Banana to “Create images”

Old vs. new

A smaller change sees the microphone and Google Lens icons drop the four‑color treatment.

Broader integration

The same updates also apply inside the Google app when opening the top Search bar or the bottom tab, and they appear in the Google for iOS app.

This behavior matches recent updates to the Chrome address bar that integrate AI Mode deeper into desktop and mobile browsers (source).

The rollout is currently reaching Google app beta users (version 17.18).

Google app updates

Google has also rolled out AI Mode’s plus menu redesign that turns it into a bottom sheet. This joins other design updates to the fullscreen interface, including the adjusted history panel (details).