Gemini app introduces file uploads on mobile and Google Messages climbs Play Store rankings with Samsung support
Key Points:
- The Gemini app now supports file uploads directly on Android and iOS devices.
- Google Messages rises in Play Store rankings due to Samsung’s promotion on older Galaxy devices.
- Samsung’s push to Google Messages leads to mixed user experiences.
Gemini, the popular mobile app, is expanding its capabilities by adding a file upload feature for users on Android and iOS. Previously, users had to visit gemini.google.com to upload files, but now this can be done directly from the app. This update, however, is available only for Gemini Advanced users.
When you open the fullscreen Gemini app, you’ll notice a new plus icon in the bottom-left corner, located next to the microphone and camera icons. On Android, tapping this icon reveals three options: Upload a file, Upload from the gallery (which lets you pick a photo from your system), and Upload from Drive. However, iOS users won’t see the Drive option, aligning the app’s functionality with the website version.
The Gemini app supports a variety of file types, including:
- Text Files: TXT
- Document Files: DOC, DOCX, PDF, RTF, DOT, DOTX, HWP, HWPX
- Google Docs: Documents created in Google Docs
- Data Files: CSV, TSV
- Spreadsheet Files: XLS, XLSX, Google Sheets
Users can upload up to 10 files at a time, with each file being as large as 100 MB.
This feature comes after the release of Gemini 1.5 Pro in May, which introduced document upload and data analysis capabilities for web users. Now, mobile users can also benefit from these advanced features.
In other news, Google Messages has seen a significant rise in the Google Play Store rankings, largely due to Samsung encouraging users of older Galaxy phones to switch to the app. As of three days ago, Google Messages climbed to the number two spot in the “Top Free” chart, surpassing popular apps like TikTok and Instagram, as well as messaging competitors like WhatsApp. Although it has since dropped slightly, it remains in the top five.
The surge is linked to the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip/Fold 6 series, where Samsung Messages is no longer pre-installed in the US. As Samsung prompts users of older models, like the Galaxy S21, to migrate to Google Messages, some users have experienced issues, including lost conversations and missing starred messages.
Despite these hiccups, Google Messages continues to grow, with over 5 billion downloads to date.
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.
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.
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