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Google Wallet now supports California state ID: here’s what you need to know

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Google Wallet

Top 3 Key Points:

  1. California State ID Support: Google Wallet now supports California’s digital IDs, joining Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland.
  2. Easy Setup Process: Add your ID by scanning it, taking a selfie, and verifying your identity through the DMV.
  3. Limited Availability: The program is capped at 1.5 million users, so early enrollment is recommended.

Google Wallet has recently expanded its support for state IDs, adding California to its list. This makes California the fifth state to be included, alongside Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland. Initially, California offered its residents a standalone DMV Wallet app without Google Wallet integration, but now the state has joined the Google Wallet ecosystem.

To add your California ID to Google Wallet, open the app, tap the “Add to Wallet” button, and select “ID card.” California will now appear as an option. The ID card design features “California mDL” followed by your first name, with “USA” in the top-right corner and the DMV logo at the bottom-left. The card’s background includes a scenic image of poppies with a road stretching across a vast field.

Setting up your digital ID is straightforward. You’ll need to take photos of the front and back of your physical ID, along with a short video (selfie) for facial verification. This information is sent to the California DMV for review. Within a few minutes, you’ll receive a notification that your digital ID is ready for use, along with an email confirmation from the DMV.

When using your digital ID, you control what information is shared. Start by tapping the reader or scanning your QR code—your details aren’t shared immediately. You can then review and select which information you’d like to share. There’s no need to hand over your phone; your ID is securely shared via Bluetooth. You’ll be prompted to verify your identity using facial recognition, fingerprint, password, or PIN for added security.

The digital ID in Google Wallet appears as “Driver’s License | California” in your card carousel. It is prominently placed at the top of your main Google Wallet list and cannot be moved below other passes. Your ID can be read by NFC or by scanning its QR code and is currently accepted by the TSA at certain terminals in airports such as LAX, SFO, and SJC. However, it’s important to note that you still need to carry your physical ID card, as the digital version does not replace the physical one.

California’s mobile driver’s license and state ID program is currently a pilot with a limit of 1.5 million participants. So, if you’re interested in using this feature, it’s a good idea to add your ID sooner rather than later.

To use the digital ID, your phone must be running Android 8 or higher, have a screen lock enabled, and have Bluetooth and Nearby devices turned on. You can delete the state ID from Google Wallet at any time through your Google account settings. The digital ID is treated as a private pass, meaning it doesn’t sync to the cloud and is only available on one device.

To remove the ID, go to Personal Info in your Google account, scroll to “Digital ID,” select Manage Digital ID, and delete the ID from your device and account.

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Google

New features for Google Keep and Gemini Live in Workspace

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Google

Google recently updated Google Keep and Gemini Live for Workspace, making both tools more useful for everyday tasks. These changes help users stay organized and work smarter.
For Google Keep, the web version now supports text formatting.

You can add bold, italic, or underlined text to your notes, making them easier to read and organize. This feature, already available on mobile apps, lets you highlight important details or structure your thoughts clearly. Whether you’re jotting down ideas or creating lists, these formatting options make notes more professional and visually appealing.

The update is rolling out to all Google Workspace users and personal Google account holders, so everyone can enjoy a better note-taking experience. Meanwhile, Gemini Live is now available for Google Workspace customers. This voice-based AI feature allows users to have natural, back-and-forth conversations.

You can brainstorm ideas, like planning a marketing campaign or preparing for a sales meeting. Gemini Live also supports camera and screen sharing, so you can show visuals and discuss them in real time. It’s designed for users over 18 and is starting to roll out across Workspace accounts, with full access expected soon.

These updates show Google’s focus on improving productivity tools. Google Keep’s new formatting makes note-taking more flexible, while Gemini Live brings powerful AI conversations to Workspace, helping teams collaborate and innovate. Both features are simple to use and fit seamlessly into your workflow, making work and organization easier.

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Google

New Pixel Watch feature simplifies phone swaps

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Google Pixel Watch

Google has introduced a smart new tool for Pixel Watch owners to ease the transition when upgrading to a new phone. The latest Pixel Watch app update (version 2.2) now includes a “Switch phone” prompt that pops up when the app notices your watch is linked to a different device. This alert, visible on the app’s home screen, guides you to connect your watch to the new phone effortlessly.

The feature walks users through the steps to transfer their Pixel Watch, ensuring a smooth setup. Once completed, the prompt vanishes, and the app updates to show the new connection. It supports all models—Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3—but requires the newest app version, so you may need to update.

This addition addresses a common hassle where users forget to re-pair their watch after switching phones, which can lead to syncing issues. However, the reminder might feel a bit insistent for those not ready to make the switch immediately. It’s unclear if you can turn off the prompt for good.

Google’s attention to practical tweaks like this highlights their commitment to improving user experience. The phone switch feature saves time and reduces frustration, especially for frequent phone upgraders. If you’ve recently changed phones, open the Pixel Watch app to check out this helpful tool.

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Android

Google’s May 2025 Android updates: better performance and messaging

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Google’s May 2025 Android updates bring exciting changes to improve how your phone works and how you message. These updates focus on making devices faster, safer, and more user-friendly.
One big change is to Android’s memory system. By increasing the memory page size from 4KB to 16KB on newer devices, apps can load quicker and use less power. This helps phones, especially those with modern chips, run smoothly and save battery life. Older devices will stick with the smaller page size to avoid issues.

The Google System Updates for May also add new features. Google Wallet now supports more card types and makes transit passes easier to use in apps like Google Maps. The Play Store now shows video previews of apps, helping you decide what to download. There are also fixes to improve battery life, storage, and network performance, making your phone more reliable.

For Google Messages, a new “delete for everyone” feature lets you remove sent messages from group chats within 15 minutes. This works for both RCS and SMS, so you can fix mistakes easily. Other messaging upgrades include better scam detection and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos. These updates show Google’s effort to make Android devices faster, more secure, and better for communication. Keep your phone updated to enjoy these improvements!

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