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.

Google and Ford are collaborating to make Android Auto more EV-friendly, specifically for Ford’s electric vehicles (EVs). A series of new updates brings features like estimated battery levels, charging station navigation, and better integration with Ford’s Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.

One of the key updates includes showing the battery level upon arrival at a destination directly in Google Maps, allowing drivers to plan trips more effectively. This feature has been available on Android Automotive systems and is now integrated with Android Auto, allowing users to see estimated battery status for every stop on a planned route.

Another useful addition to Android Auto is the display of charging stations compatible with North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors, which include Tesla Superchargers. This update is available with the latest Android Auto version, 12.9, enabling more charging options for Ford EV users equipped with NACS ports.

Additionally, Ford EVs can now precondition their batteries en route to a charging station, ensuring efficient and faster charging upon arrival. Ford owners should update their vehicle software to access these improvements fully.

Other helpful tools include showing nearby amenities at charging locations and offering minimum recommended charge levels for various destinations, making long-distance planning more efficient.

Meanwhile, Android’s Quick Settings in the upcoming Android 16 could be seeing an overhaul, allowing users to resize tiles for a customized layout. This feature, which has been hinted at in recent Android betas, will offer options to adjust tile sizes in 1×1 and 1×2 formats, enhancing layout options for different user needs. The change might eventually separate Quick Settings from the notification tray, following a trend seen with other manufacturers like OnePlus and Samsung, who are expected to introduce similar customizations.

Additionally, a recent leak hints that Google is developing a custom Tensor chip for its Pixel Watch, potentially launching within the next few years. This shift could bring advanced features and longer battery life to future Pixel Watches, following Google’s trend of integrating Tensor chips in Pixel smartphones.

The proposed design includes a mix of Arm Cortex-A78 and Cortex-A55 cores, possibly built on TSMC’s 3nm process. While the design uses some older cores, the manufacturing process could still give it an edge over Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5+ in terms of power efficiency and performance.

These updates reflect Google’s ongoing push to create a more connected and seamless experience across Android Auto, smartphones, and wearables, showing significant strides in software and hardware innovation.

Google is gearing up for a major redesign of Android’s Quick Settings in the upcoming Android 16. Alongside this overhaul, Google plans to offer flexible ways to view more tiles and notifications on your screen. The primary method involves splitting the Quick Settings and notifications into separate pages, but another key feature could be resizable tiles, which are under active development.

Recent insights from the latest Android beta reveal significant advancements in the Quick Settings panel’s organization. Google has created categories within Quick Settings, making it easier for users to locate and add specific tiles. However, the biggest discovery is that Quick Settings tiles are now resizable, adding a layer of customization and functionality.

In Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3, Quick Settings tiles are not resizable by default on devices like the Pixel. But, by enabling an experimental Quick Settings layout, you can test this feature. To resize a tile, enter the editor view, select the tile, and then use the dot to adjust its size. Tiles can either be 1×1 (smaller) or 2×1 (larger), allowing users to fit up to 16 tiles on one screen for maximum accessibility. This resizing option even applies to tiles from third-party apps, although expanded tiles may lack detailed labels.

For context, Android 15’s default Quick Settings panel uses only full-size tiles, while Android 16’s update introduces flexibility with various layout options, catering to different needs and preferences. Although some users might prefer smaller, unlabeled tiles to maximize screen space, others may find it challenging to recognize tile functions without labels.

Currently, it’s unclear why the revamped Quick Settings panel in Android 16 doesn’t use the full screen, given that notifications are moving to a separate page. With Android 16’s release still a while away, Google may adjust these features, potentially removing or refining them before the official launch. However, if these changes continue in development, Android 16’s Quick Settings could offer a far more customizable and user-friendly experience.