Google’s Gemini App Might Be Getting a Multi-Window Feature, Possibly for Samsung’s Foldables
Google’s AI-powered Gemini app is already making waves for its impressive capabilities, but it looks like a new feature on the horizon might make it even more versatile. Recent whispers from the tech world suggest that Gemini, currently available on Android, is getting a multi-window mode. This would allow users to open two separate windows of Gemini, letting them access its AI capabilities and regular app functionalities concurrently. While the feature was spotted in the latest beta version of the Google app, it’s currently hidden and not available to testers.
So, what exactly does this multi-window feature mean for users? Let’s dive deeper.
Gemini’s Multi-Window Mode: A Closer Look
According to a report by Android Authority, this experimental feature was discovered hidden within the latest Google app beta (version 15.26.34). While not yet accessible to beta testers, it appears through app teardown analysis.
The report paints a picture of the potential experience for users:
- Users can trigger the Gemini AI assistant as usual, and it appears as a bottom sheet pop-up.
- A long press on the handle at the top allows users to drag this pop-up to the top of their screen.
- This creates a second window that resembles the Gemini app itself or its website counterpart in appearance.
- Interestingly, this window activation also triggers the device’s multi-window interface.
- This means users have both windows open simultaneously: the standard Gemini AI assistant and a full-screen Gemini app window.
- Importantly, each window operates independently, letting you run separate queries and explore the AI’s capabilities without one prompt affecting the other.
This multi-window feature could be incredibly useful for:
- Testing and comparison: Users can run different prompts side-by-side to compare Gemini’s responses and see how it handles slight variations in instructions.
- Multi-tasking: If you need to use the AI assistant for a particular query while simultaneously browsing Gemini’s features, the multi-window mode allows for seamless switching and multitasking.
- Streamlined workflows: For tasks where users require constant access to both the AI and the app, the multi-window view makes the process more efficient.
Targeting Samsung Foldables: A Potential Future for Gemini’s Multi-Window Feature
The report also discovered a string of code, "android:name="com.samsung.android.drag_and_drop.launch.multiwindow.mode," which suggests this feature might be designed specifically for Samsung foldable smartphones, particularly the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6.
While this might make sense considering the foldable form factor and its focus on multitasking, there are a few things to consider:
- Early stage development: As the feature is currently hidden and not accessible to beta testers, it’s possible this is an experimental stage and might not make it to the final release.
- Code remnants: Sometimes developers leave traces of code even if features are scrapped, so this might be a remnant of a feature that’s been abandoned.
- Software optimization: Implementing multi-window functionality requires careful optimization to ensure smooth performance and avoid impacting user experience.
Until Google officially confirms the feature and shares its release timeline, it’s difficult to say for sure if it’s coming or what devices it will be available on. However, the discovery of this hidden code suggests that Google is exploring new ways to enhance the Gemini app and how users interact with its AI capabilities.
The Potential Impact: A Shift in How We Use AI on Mobile Devices
If Google brings this multi-window feature to fruition, it could have a significant impact on how we use AI on mobile devices.
Here’s why:
- Enhanced multitasking: Multi-window mode elevates the experience of using AI assistants, allowing users to combine AI prompts with other app functionalities.
- Increased versatility: This feature transforms the Gemini app from a single-purpose AI assistant into a more versatile tool for various tasks.
- Expanding horizons for AI applications: By enabling a multi-window experience, Google opens the doors for more complex and advanced AI interactions on mobile devices.
Ultimately, the multi-window feature for Gemini could signify a move towards a future where AI seamlessly integrates with traditional mobile apps and workflows. While Google remains silent about its release plans, the possibility of this feature makes Gemini an even more intriguing AI tool to watch, and it might be a game changer for how we use AI on our phones.
