Google

Google Clock introduces new timer widget and Google app tests handy search shortcut

Published

3 weeks ago

August 28, 2024

Tom Carter

Top 3 Key Points:

New Timer Widget: Google Clock adds a “Timer Starter” widget for quick access to custom timers.
Enhanced Search Feature: Google app beta tests a shortcut to easily recall recent searches.
Future Rollout Expected: The new features are expected to be widely available soon.

Google has recently rolled out a new feature in its Clock app, particularly for users on Pixel devices. This update introduces a “Timer Starter” widget, which allows you to quickly set timers with just a few taps. The widget includes default timer settings of 1, 5, and 10 minutes, but you can easily customize these to suit your needs. Once the widget is added to your home screen, any timers you set will be readily accessible for future use.

The design is intuitive, with the widget displaying up to three timers in a list format by default. On Pixel tablets, the layout shifts to a side-by-side view in landscape mode, offering a more flexible interface. The widget’s appearance adapts to your device’s Dynamic Color settings, providing a seamless look that matches your overall theme.

When you start a timer, the app switches to a full-screen view, ensuring you can monitor your countdown without distractions. This new feature is available with version 7.9.1 of the Google Clock app, and while it’s rolling out widely, it’s currently more consistently visible on tablets than on phones.

In addition to the Google Clock update, Google is also experimenting with a new feature in its Google app aimed at making search more efficient. In the beta version of the app, a new shortcut has been discovered that helps users quickly recall their most recent searches. After performing a search, a small, rounded popup appears, showing the previous search query.

This feature is designed to be helpful, especially when you’re multitasking or need to revisit a previous search without retyping it. The popup is unobtrusive, disappearing after a few seconds, but it can be easily dismissed with a tap if it’s not needed.

Currently, this feature is only available in the beta version of the Google app, but it’s expected to be released to the general public soon, given its potential to improve user experience.

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Google

Google Calendar and Circle to Search expand to more devices

Published

9 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

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.

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Google

YouTube gets smarter: AI boosts Shorts and Studio

Published

10 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

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.

Android

Faster keyboard switching on Android

Published

12 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key points:

Android 15 QPR1 Beta introduces a new navigation bar key for quick keyboard switching.
This allows for faster switching between multiple keyboard apps and languages.
The feature is currently being tested and is expected to become standard on Google Pixel devices in December.

Android users will soon experience a significant improvement in keyboard switching. A new feature being tested in Android 15 QPR1 Beta introduces a dedicated key on the navigation bar that allows for rapid switching between different keyboard apps and languages.

Imagine having the ability to seamlessly switch between multiple keyboards without navigating through settings or menus. This new key, visually represented as a globe, provides a direct and intuitive way to change keyboards on the fly. Whether you need to switch between different languages or prefer different keyboard apps for specific tasks, this feature offers a convenient solution.

For example, if you have multiple languages enabled and use both Gboard and SwiftKey, you can quickly toggle between them by pressing the new key. This eliminates the need for extra steps and ensures a smooth typing experience.

While this feature is currently in beta testing, it’s expected to become a standard part of Android 15 QPR1, which is scheduled to be released on Google Pixel devices in December. This means that many Android users will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of faster and more efficient keyboard switching.