AI Mode is more in your face with this experimental Pixel Launcher change

The Search bar inside the Pixel Launcher is a staple of the Android ecosystem and has been for a long while now, and while it has changed slightly over the years, Google appears to be testing out a new design that changes it up once again. The new design is part of the latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update, which launched earlier this week for beta program participants. It was made available around the same time Google officially launched Android 16 for Pixel devices.

The new Pixel Launcher search bar in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 doesn’t look a whole lot different from the way it looks now. There is, however, one significant visual change that people will surely notice. The AI Mode button is now separated from the rest of the bar. Admittedly, this is a pretty minor visual tweak, but it’s noticeable enough to grab people’s attention. At least that’s probably what Google is hoping for.

The new Pixel Launcher Search bar design is likely to draw attention to the AI Mode shortcut

Google hasn’t put out any official news on this visual change yet, although it likely will once it goes mainstream in a stable version of Android 16. If we were to guess, though, this change is likely being tested because Google wants to draw more attention to the AI Mode shortcut.

This button is already part of the search bar. Outside of this QPR1 Beta 2 build, however, it’s all part of the same long white pill-shaped bar. In this design change noticed by Android Authority, the AI Mode button is segmented off with its own circular white background. Making it clear that it’s a separate feature that Google wants users to become familiar with.

The change also pushes the AI Mode button to the right-most part of the Search bar. This is as opposed to its current position in front of the Lens and Mic buttons. Google added it to the search bar with Android 16. It’s not clear when this change will be made available as part of Android 16 proper, but it’ll be sometime later this year.

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