Google is rolling out several enhancements to its workspace tools, with notable updates to the Gemini AI Assistant and the potential expansion of Quick Share, an AirDrop-like feature, to Apple devices. Here’s a look at these developments and what they could mean for users.

Gemini Side Panel for Google Chat: Key Features

Google Chat’s new Gemini side panel introduces a range of productivity tools to streamline conversations. Accessible via an icon in the upper-right corner of Google Chat (web version), the side panel brings AI-powered assistance to your workspace chat, enabling more efficient communication and project management. Key features include:

• Summarizing Conversations: Users can generate summaries of ongoing chats to quickly catch up on a discussion. Commands like “Summarize this conversation” or “Give me a detailed summary of [topic]” help users stay informed without needing to read through extensive chat histories.
• Listing Action Items: For task management, the AI can create a list of action items from a conversation, letting users ask specific questions, such as “What are the action items in this conversation?” or “Summarize [person’s] action items.”
• Answering Specific Questions: Users can get direct answers to specific queries, such as “What did [person] say about the project deadline?” or “What’s the decision on the project discussed?”

Currently, these capabilities are limited to individual conversations and cannot access data across all chat histories, emails, or Drive files. This feature is gradually being rolled out to users subscribed to the Gemini Business and Enterprise or Education Premium add-ons.

New Modes and UI Updates in Google Chat

In addition to Gemini’s side panel, Google Chat for the web now offers users a choice between Comfortable and Compact modes. Compact mode, designed to fit more content on the screen, aligns message bubbles in a single direction, widens the message area, and reduces padding. Users can switch modes by navigating to Settings > Density > Compact.

The Enhanced Gemini 1.5 Pro Model

Google’s Gemini Advanced AI model received an upgrade to version 1.5 Pro on October 31, 2024. The new version boasts improved data quality and enhanced performance, delivering better responses for tasks involving math, coding, and complex topic discussions. This model, initially introduced at Google I/O 2024, also allows users to upload documents for analysis, with the latest updates further refining its capabilities.

Gemini’s updates reflect Google’s focus on enhancing the AI’s adaptability, particularly in terms of handling intricate requests with high accuracy. The platform has also made subtle branding changes, renaming the Gemini Advanced prompt to “Ask Gemini” for consistency across its offerings.

Potential Expansion of Google’s Quick Share to iOS and macOS

Google’s Quick Share, similar to Apple’s AirDrop, currently enables Android users to share files, photos, and links between Android devices, ChromeOS, and Windows. However, there are indications that Google might expand Quick Share to Apple’s iOS and macOS devices.

Hints of this came from a Google engineer’s comments on GitHub, where it was noted that device names on iOS and macOS already integrate well with Quick Share’s naming conventions. Although this is not a direct confirmation, it suggests Google is considering Quick Share support on Apple’s platforms.

Would Quick Share on iOS and macOS Gain Traction?

For Android users who use Apple devices like MacBooks or iPads, a Quick Share app would simplify file transfers, bridging the gap between their devices. However, convincing a significant portion of iPhone users to adopt Quick Share may be challenging, given that many are already satisfied with AirDrop and other integrated iOS features.

While Quick Share might appeal to cross-platform Android users, its adoption among Apple users might be limited. Google would likely develop this functionality more for Android users with mixed-device environments than for the general Apple user base.

Conclusion

With the addition of Gemini’s new Chat side panel features, updates to the Gemini 1.5 Pro model, and the potential expansion of Quick Share, Google is enhancing both productivity and cross-device compatibility. These advancements reflect Google’s ongoing commitment to making its tools more versatile and user-friendly, especially for users navigating multiple operating systems. Would these updates enhance your workspace productivity or your ability to share files across devices? Google’s latest developments could soon make that decision easier.