Google Wallet now supports California state ID: here’s what you need to know
Top 3 Key Points:
- California State ID Support: Google Wallet now supports California’s digital IDs, joining Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland.
- Easy Setup Process: Add your ID by scanning it, taking a selfie, and verifying your identity through the DMV.
- Limited Availability: The program is capped at 1.5 million users, so early enrollment is recommended.
Google Wallet has recently expanded its support for state IDs, adding California to its list. This makes California the fifth state to be included, alongside Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland. Initially, California offered its residents a standalone DMV Wallet app without Google Wallet integration, but now the state has joined the Google Wallet ecosystem.
To add your California ID to Google Wallet, open the app, tap the “Add to Wallet” button, and select “ID card.” California will now appear as an option. The ID card design features “California mDL” followed by your first name, with “USA” in the top-right corner and the DMV logo at the bottom-left. The card’s background includes a scenic image of poppies with a road stretching across a vast field.
Setting up your digital ID is straightforward. You’ll need to take photos of the front and back of your physical ID, along with a short video (selfie) for facial verification. This information is sent to the California DMV for review. Within a few minutes, you’ll receive a notification that your digital ID is ready for use, along with an email confirmation from the DMV.
When using your digital ID, you control what information is shared. Start by tapping the reader or scanning your QR code—your details aren’t shared immediately. You can then review and select which information you’d like to share. There’s no need to hand over your phone; your ID is securely shared via Bluetooth. You’ll be prompted to verify your identity using facial recognition, fingerprint, password, or PIN for added security.
The digital ID in Google Wallet appears as “Driver’s License | California” in your card carousel. It is prominently placed at the top of your main Google Wallet list and cannot be moved below other passes. Your ID can be read by NFC or by scanning its QR code and is currently accepted by the TSA at certain terminals in airports such as LAX, SFO, and SJC. However, it’s important to note that you still need to carry your physical ID card, as the digital version does not replace the physical one.
California’s mobile driver’s license and state ID program is currently a pilot with a limit of 1.5 million participants. So, if you’re interested in using this feature, it’s a good idea to add your ID sooner rather than later.
To use the digital ID, your phone must be running Android 8 or higher, have a screen lock enabled, and have Bluetooth and Nearby devices turned on. You can delete the state ID from Google Wallet at any time through your Google account settings. The digital ID is treated as a private pass, meaning it doesn’t sync to the cloud and is only available on one device.
To remove the ID, go to Personal Info in your Google account, scroll to “Digital ID,” select Manage Digital ID, and delete the ID from your device and account.
Key points:
- Android 15 for Pixel devices was pushed back to October 15.
- Gemini Live, Google’s AI assistant, is now available for free Android users.
- Pixel 6 and later devices will get Android 15, but Pixel 6/6 Pro won’t get future updates.
Android 15 Delayed
Google’s latest Android update, Android 15, is taking a bit longer to reach Pixel phones. While it was released for developers in September, it won’t be available for Pixel users until October 15th. This delay is likely due to Google wanting to make sure the update is as bug-free as possible.
Gemini Live Goes Free
In other Google news, Gemini Live, the company’s AI assistant, is now free for Android users. This means you can use Gemini to help you with tasks like writing emails, summarizing articles, or even translating languages.
Pixel 6 and Later
The Pixel 6 and later devices will be the first to get Android 15. However, this will also be the last guaranteed update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. While they will continue to receive security updates, they won’t get any new features after Android 15.
Key Points:
- Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
- Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
- Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.
Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:
Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.
Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:
Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.
Other Chrome Updates:
Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.
These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.
YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.
- AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
- AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
- AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.
YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.
Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.
Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.
For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”
YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.
For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.
These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.
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