Android desktop will put Gemini front and center — just as you'd expect

What you need to know

• Google is positioning Gemini as a core part of Android's push toward becoming a full desktop-level operating system.
• New strings reveal Gemini will stay pinned to the top right corner of Android's upcoming desktop interface.
• Users will be able to launch Gemini instantly using a dedicated keyboard shortcut with the Google key and Space.

Google is pushing hard to turn Android into a desktop-level OS, and if recent leaks are accurate, Gemini will sit at the center of that experience.

We recently got our first look at Google's upcoming Aluminium OS, offering an early glimpse at what the company sees as a ChromeOS replacement. At first glance, it did not look dramatically different from Android's existing desktop mode, aside from a slightly taller status bar with a clearly visible Gemini icon.

Now, we have more clarity on just how prominent that Gemini integration will be. As spotted by 9to5Google, the latest beta of the Google app (version 17.5) includes new strings referencing Gemini on Android desktop. These strings explicitly state that Gemini will always be available in the "top right corner of your screen."

The strings also reveal a keyboard shortcut for quick access: Google key + Space to launch Gemini. It's worth noting that the new Chromebook Plus laptops already feature a dedicated Google icon key, and this shortcut appears to be designed around that layout.

While the strings don't spell out exactly what Gemini will be capable of on Android desktop, its placement in the status bar and the addition of a dedicated shortcut suggest Google has bigger plans in mind. Beyond the 9to5Google report, a video shared by Android Authority (below) also shows a Gemini animation appearing during the setup process of an Aluminium OS powered PC.

Gemini on PC: Set up animation - YouTube

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Android Central's Take

It's starting to come together. We've already seen Google work on letting Gemini control apps on Android phones, and giving it a permanent spot on Aluminium OS PCs points to a broader vision.

The company may be building toward a more agent-like experience, where Gemini can manage and interact with different parts of the system proactively. It's still speculative for now, but with Google's recent push into agentic AI, it won't be surprising.