Google Chat enhances automation with IFTTT integration; Pixel 9 introduces adaptive touch for improved wet screen sensitivity
Key Points:
- Google Chat now supports IFTTT for seamless automation across popular apps.
- Pixel 9’s Adaptive Touch feature improves screen sensitivity in challenging conditions.
- Both updates are designed to enhance user experience across personal and enterprise settings.
Google Chat has expanded its functionality by integrating with IFTTT (If This, Then That), a powerful automation tool that connects with over 1,000 popular apps. This integration is available for both Google Workspace and personal Google accounts, making it easier for users to automate various tasks within Google Chat.
As revealed at Cloud Next 2024, the IFTTT integration offers a range of triggers, such as detecting new messages or members in a space, and corresponding actions like posting to a space or updating space descriptions. This is particularly useful for teams and enterprise accounts, allowing them to set up workflows like sending onboarding emails to new space members or notifying a space when new files are added to cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Additionally, the integration allows users to stay informed by automatically posting mentions or tags from platforms like Discord, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook to a designated space in Google Chat. This feature is now accessible to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and personal Google account users.
Other Google Workspace services, including Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks, are also compatible with IFTTT, further expanding the automation possibilities within the Google ecosystem.
Pixel 9’s Adaptive Touch Enhances Screen Sensitivity
Google’s latest smartphone, the Pixel 9 series, introduces a new feature called Adaptive Touch, designed to improve touchscreen sensitivity in challenging conditions. Whether the screen is wet, covered by a screen protector, or subjected to other factors that might impede functionality, Adaptive Touch automatically adjusts the screen’s sensitivity to optimize performance.
This feature can be found in the Pixel 9’s settings under Display > Touch Sensitivity, alongside the existing “Screen protector mode.” Adaptive Touch was initially tested in Android beta releases earlier this year, but the Pixel 9 series marks its official launch.
According to tests conducted by Android Authority, the Pixel 9’s screen performs significantly better with Adaptive Touch enabled compared to the Pixel 8 Pro, particularly when used with wet fingers. This improvement suggests that Google has made considerable strides in enhancing the overall user experience for its latest devices. Adaptive Touch is enabled by default on all Pixel 9 models, ensuring users benefit from this feature right out of the box.
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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