One UI 8.5 Could Bring AI Launcher Shortcut for Quick Answers

Samsung’s next Android 16-based software, One UI 8.5, is shaping up to be an exciting update. The build will include several new features, along with visual changes that take the Galaxy experience to the next level. It looks like the company will also introduce a new launcher shortcut for AI services, making it easier for users to get answers right from the home screen.

Samsung is testing different AI integrations in One UI 8.5

In the leaked One UI 8.5 build’s launcher app, folks over at Android Authority discovered some strings that point to the inclusion of AI Agents. Users will be able to choose between three different AI providers: Gauss, Gemini, and Perplexity. It’s unclear how the company will integrate these agents into the launcher, but strings suggest they will provide conversational answers to user questions.

Speaking of these AI agents, Gauss is Samsung’s generative AI model, consisting of three models: Gauss Language, Gauss Code, and Gauss Image. Gemini is a conversational AI chatbot from Google, which has already made its way to Galaxy devices as the default assistant. The third option, Perplexity, uses large language models to summarize information from multiple web sources.

There’s chatter that Samsung may integrate Perplexity as a default AI assistant option in the Galaxy S26 series. Now, its appearance in the early One UI 8.5 build, which could debut on the flagship lineup in early 2026, suggests that the company is indeed planning to include Perplexity’s AI search capabilities.

The publications also spotted the term Finder AI within the code, suggesting this could be the name for the launcher shortcut. The goal of this feature could be to provide concise and friendly answers that are three sentences or less in length. As the development of One UI 8.5 progresses, we should learn more details about how the new AI launcher works. Stay tuned.