Google rolls out Gemini Calendar extension, Wear OS 5 for Pixel Watch, and Gmail blue checkmarks on mobile
Top 3 Key Points:
- Gemini Extension for Google Calendar: Users can create and manage events through conversational commands.
- Wear OS 5 Updates: Enhances the Pixel Watch with improved running metrics and new features like grid-view apps and enhanced heart rate tracking.
- Gmail’s Blue Checkmarks: Introduces sender verification for Android and iOS apps, offering stronger email security.
Google has introduced several updates across its services, aiming to improve user experience and security.
Google Calendar Gemini Extension
The Gemini Extension for Google Calendar is gradually being rolled out for Android and web users. It offers a conversational way to manage your calendar, making creating, editing, and deleting events easier. You can simply ask Gemini to:
- “Create an event for [time] on [date] for [task].”
- “Change my meeting at [time] on [day] to [new time].”
- “Cancel my event with [name] on [day].”
The feature also supports photo uploads, enabling Gemini to extract event details from images like flyers or screenshots. However, it’s important to note that certain details, such as event locations or descriptions, cannot yet be modified through Gemini.
To check if this feature is available for you, look for the Gemini extension in your Google Calendar or Gemini app.
Wear OS 5 on Pixel Watch
Google is also rolling out Wear OS 5 for the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, bringing a range of new features and improvements. The update enhances health tracking, especially for runners. New metrics include:
- Ground contact time: How long your foot stays on the ground during a step.
- Stride length: The distance covered in a single step.
- Vertical oscillation: Measures how much your body moves up and down during each step.
Additionally, users can now track goal progress and other discrete health data directly from their watch. Wear OS 5 also includes a new grid-view app launcher, better camera controls, and integration with Pixel Recorder.
Once the update is available, you can install it by visiting your watch’s System updates menu. To speed up the download, disable Bluetooth to force a Wi-Fi connection.
Gmail Adds Verified Sender Checkmarks
Gmail is enhancing email security by extending the blue verified checkmarks feature to its Android and iOS apps. This feature, which was initially introduced on the web, helps users identify verified senders through the BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) standard.
Verified senders display a brand logo next to their email address, providing visual confirmation that the message is authentic. For instance, instead of seeing just an “A” for Apple, you’ll see the Apple logo alongside a blue checkmark, indicating that the sender’s identity has been verified.
Over the coming weeks, Gmail users will see this feature rolled out to both personal and Workspace accounts. Moreover, Gmail now supports a CMC (Certification Mark Certificate) option, allowing more brands to display their logos even if they don’t meet the stricter VMC requirements for the blue checkmark.
These updates mark a significant step toward making Google’s ecosystem more user-friendly and secure, offering enhanced features across its calendar, wearable devices, and email platform.
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!
Google Maps is making driving more fun with a new feature for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Now, you can pick different car icons to show your vehicle on the map. Choose from options like a sleek sedan, a rugged SUV, or a cool arrow.
This small change adds a personal touch to your navigation and is rolling out to all users soon. Meanwhile, Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera is getting a big upgrade with Google Home support. You can now see who’s at your door right from the Google Home app, view live video, and even talk to visitors.
If you have a Nest Hub, the doorbell feed pops up automatically when someone rings. This feature, already available for Ecobee’s thermostat, makes your smart home setup smoother and is available now for all users. On the AI front, Google’s Gemini app is getting smarter with the Gemini 2.5 Pro preview.
This update improves coding skills, helping developers create better apps and websites. It also handles video and text tasks more effectively. The preview is out for everyone to try, with Google planning to share more at its I/O 2025 event. These updates from Google and Ecobee bring small but meaningful improvements, making your car rides, home security, and digital tasks easier and more enjoyable.
Google is rolling out exciting updates to make browsing, searching, and downloading apps smoother and safer for Android users. These changes focus on improving Chrome’s security, redesigning the Google Search bar, and enhancing the Google Play Store’s download process.
Chrome’s Improved Security
Google Chrome now offers stronger protection with “Enhanced Safe Browsing” powered by Gemini Nano, an AI model that works directly on your device. This feature checks websites in real-time to spot phishing attempts and other online threats, keeping your data safe without relying on cloud servers. It’s a step up from the standard protection, giving users more peace of mind while browsing.
Redesigned Google Search Bar
The Google Search bar on Android is getting a fresh look. It’s now simpler and easier to use, with a modern design that fits better with your phone’s home screen. The updated widget lets you access Search, Lens, or voice commands quickly. The new layout is clean and user-friendly, making searches faster and more intuitive.
Better Play Store Downloads
The Google Play Store is improving how it shows app download progress. A new notification design displays a progress bar right in your notification panel, so you can track downloads without opening the app. This small but helpful change makes managing app installs more convenient.
These updates show Google’s focus on creating a safer, simpler, and more efficient experience for Android users. They’re rolling out gradually, so keep an eye out for them on your device!
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