Google might take an inspiration from One UI 7’s Now Bar for Pixel phones

Now Bar is one of the most interesting features of One UI 7.0. With One UI 8.0, Samsung has improved Now Bar by integrating Android 16's Live Updates feature into it. And it seems Google might be taking some inspiration from Now Bar to bring a similar feature to Pixel phones.

Google appears to be working on a feature called Gemini Space for Pixel phones, and it could debut with the Pixel 10 series in the coming months. According to a report from Android Authority, Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 added a new system configuration file named ‘Ambient Data,' and the file reportedly hints that it is an internal codename for ‘Gemini Space.' It is present in the firmware for the Pixel 8 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro.

References were also found for an unannounced feature called Ambience Hub. While the firmware doesn't offer a clue about how the feature works, based on existing Pixel features like Ambient AOD and Ambient Display, it is being reported that Ambient Data might be a new interface that can display contextual data on the always-on display, while Ambience Hub could be an interface for displaying Ambient Data.

The Android System Intelligence app, which manages the At a Glance feature on Pixel devices, has more clues to Ambient Data. Gemini Space can reportedly display a finance recap and sports scores. So, it is likely similar to Samsung's Now Bar feature and Google might be planning to rebrand At A Glance to Gemini Space. A previous report revealed how Google is planning to position At A Glance on the bottom of the lock screen, similar to Now Bar.