Android
Gmail AI email drafting and Android 16 quick toggles revamp – A New User-Friendly Experience
Google is rolling out two exciting updates to enhance user convenience across Gmail and Android. In Gmail, users will soon be able to rely on AI-powered help when composing emails on the web through Google’s “Help me write” tool, a feature previously limited to mobile. Meanwhile, Android 16 is expected to bring back simpler one-tap Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles in the Quick Settings panel, a feature users have requested since Android 12’s redesign.
Gmail’s New AI-Powered Email Drafting
With Google’s advanced Gemini AI now integrated into Gmail on the web, drafting and refining emails has become even easier. Users with Google One AI Premium or Workspace’s Gemini add-on will have access to “Help me write,” allowing them to quickly compose new emails or fine-tune existing drafts. The tool offers suggestions to formalize, elaborate, or shorten messages, helping users adjust tone and length with minimal effort.
Gmail’s new “polish” feature, specifically designed to refine messages, can now be accessed via a simple shortcut on drafts longer than 12 words. Users can either click the polish button or use Ctrl + H on their keyboards to access it, enabling a smoother email editing experience. The mobile version of Gmail will also see an update, replacing the existing “Refine my draft” shortcut with the new “polish” option, automatically adjusting the tone of the email with a quick swipe.
This gradual rollout of “Help me write” with the added polish shortcut is part of Google’s effort to offer seamless AI tools across platforms. This integration aims to help users communicate more effectively, saving time while keeping their emails professional.
Android 16’s Simpler Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Toggles
One of the primary goals of Android’s Quick Settings panel has always been to simplify toggling various features on and off. But since Android 12’s redesign in 2021, toggling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth has required two taps instead of one. The change came with larger buttons and the addition of an “Internet” tile, which consolidated Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles into a single two-step panel, leaving some users wanting quicker access to these key features.
Now, Android 16 may bring a practical compromise that allows users to toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with just one tap, while still retaining the functionality of the Internet and Bluetooth panels. In Android 16, tapping directly on the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth icon is expected to turn them on or off, while tapping elsewhere on the tile will open a more detailed panel. This approach balances accessibility and functionality, keeping frequently used features within easy reach.
This updated approach offers the best of both worlds: quick toggles for instant access and panel expansions for more options. Users who frequently switch between networks or Bluetooth devices will find this update helpful, while others can enjoy a clutter-free experience by simply tapping icons for instant toggling.
Conclusion
Google’s recent updates to Gmail and Android show a renewed focus on user convenience and flexibility. Whether drafting emails with AI assistance in Gmail or managing device connectivity with simpler toggles in Android 16, these changes underscore Google’s commitment to enhancing daily tech interactions for a more intuitive user experience. These advancements reflect Google’s ongoing effort to balance ease of use with powerful functionality, creating a more user-friendly experience across its platform.