Gmail’s Gemini side panel integrates Google Calendar and Google Maps introduces new teal accent color
Google is rolling out new features across its popular apps, including updates to Gmail’s Gemini side panel and a fresh look for Google Maps. These changes aim to improve user experience and provide better integration between services.
Gmail’s Gemini Side Panel Gets Google Calendar Integration
Initially, the Gemini side panel in Gmail integrated with Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Now, Google is adding Google Calendar to the mix, allowing users to manage their schedules directly within Gmail. This feature provides an intuitive way to handle calendar events through conversational commands.
Key Features of Gemini’s Calendar Integration:
- Event Creation via Conversation: Users can create calendar events using natural language. For example:
- “When is my first meeting next week?”
- “Create a 30-minute calendar event for my weekly yoga class every Monday and Wednesday at 9 AM.”
- “Schedule a 1-hour lunch tomorrow at noon.”
- Automatic Recognition: There’s no need to add
@Calendarto your request, but doing so explicitly invokes the service. - Availability: The update will roll out over the next few weeks for users on the following paid tiers:
- Gemini Business
- Gemini Enterprise
- Gemini Education and Education Premium
- Google One AI Premium
Current Limitations:
While the new integration is a significant enhancement, there are still some limitations to be aware of:
- You cannot add or remove guests from events through the Gemini panel.
- Extracting event details from emails, such as attachments or RSVPs, is not yet supported.
- It cannot automatically find the best meeting times with others or suggest available time slots.
- Tasks creation, setting out-of-office status, focus times, and working locations are not yet supported.
- Managing meeting rooms directly from the side panel is unavailable.
Google Maps Gets a Fresh Teal Accent
Google Maps is also receiving a visual update. Historically, the app has used a blue accent color for its buttons and icons. However, a recent change brings a teal accent to the user interface.
Teal Accent Changes:
- The teal color now appears in the bottom navigation bar and on primary action buttons, such as Directions, Start, and other key functions.
- This change has been spotted in the latest screenshots and announcements shared by Google, indicating a broader visual update.
- The teal accent provides a softer look compared to Google’s usual color palette of blue, red, yellow, and green.
Design Updates in Google Maps:
- This color change follows several other design tweaks, including:
- Moving the weather widget to a more accessible position in the bottom sheet.
- Simplifying the bottom navigation bar, reducing it to just three main tabs.
- The update is a server-side change, meaning it may not be visible to all users immediately on Android or iOS. The rollout is gradual and expected to expand over time.
Why the Teal Color Change?
Google hasn’t officially explained why they chose this more muted teal shade over their standard blue accent. It could be a move towards a more cohesive design language across its services or a test for user preference.
Lack of Dynamic Color Integration:
Despite this update, Google Maps still does not support Android’s Dynamic Color theming, which adapts app colors based on the device’s wallpaper. The lack of this feature may disappoint users who prefer a more personalized interface.
Conclusion
These updates to Gmail and Google Maps highlight Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience through deeper integration and fresh design changes.
- Gmail’s Gemini side panel now offers a seamless way to manage your Google Calendar, making scheduling easier and more efficient for users on paid tiers.
- Google Maps is moving towards a cleaner, more streamlined look with its new teal accent, aligning its visuals with recent design trends.
Users can expect more updates and improvements as Google continues to refine its suite of applications. Keep an eye out for these changes rolling out over the coming weeks.
These improvements signify Google’s commitment to evolving its services, ensuring a smoother experience across its ecosystem.
Google Wallet can now store digital versions of your US passport! This can be used for domestic travel security checks at TSA checkpoints if your state doesn’t offer a digital ID yet.
Here’s how to add your passport to Google Wallet:
- Open the Google Wallet app on your Android phone (version 9 or later).
- Tap “Add to Wallet” and then “ID” followed by “ID Pass.”
- Follow the steps to scan your passport information page and the security chip inside the back cover.
- Record a short video of yourself for verification.
Important things to remember:
- This digital passport isn’t a replacement for your physical passport, so always carry both when traveling.
- It currently only works for domestic travel within the US.
- If you lose your phone, you can remove the digital passport from your Google account.
Pixel phones get new features to improve battery health!
The latest update lets you set a charging limit of 80% to slow down battery degradation. There’s also a hidden feature called “bypass charging” that might be even more helpful.
What is bypass charging?
With bypass charging, when your battery reaches 80%, your phone will continue to use power directly from the charger instead of the battery. This reduces wear and tear on the battery, especially while gaming or using demanding apps.
Is bypass charging available on all Pixel phones?
It’s not entirely clear yet. The 80% charging limit works on many Pixel models, but bypass charging has only been confirmed on the Pixel 8 Pro so far. It likely works on Pixel 8, 8a, and the Pixel 9 series too, but Google hasn’t officially confirmed this.
Pixel Screenshots get smarter!
The latest update for Pixel Screenshots on Pixel 9 phones integrates with Gboard. Now, when you take a screenshot that includes a movie, song, or product, Pixel Screenshots remembers that information.
How does this help?
For example, if you screenshot a song title and then open a music app, Gboard might autofill the song name for you. This feature is called “proactive recall.”
Other Pixel Screenshots updates:
- The image viewer now suggests more search terms based on your screenshots.
- The app automatically categorizes your screenshots (this might take some time).
- You can easily save a specific part of a screenshot with “Circle to Search.”
This update also brings new features to Gboard, including a sticker pack and the ability to browse Emoji Kitchen combinations.
Gemini Gets a Mini Makeover:
- The website’s text field now looks like the mobile app.
- The Android app now shows your Gemini model type (like “1.5 Pro”).
40 New Templates for Google Docs:
- Google Docs has added new, modern templates for various uses like business proposals or meeting notes.
- These templates are designed to save you time by providing a starting point for your document.
- You can find them by going to File > New > From template gallery.
Customize Your Google Messages Profile:
- Google Messages now lets you easily edit your profile information, including name and picture.
- This helps people you message recognize you better.
More to Come:
- Google says to expect even more new Docs templates in the future.
- Google Messages’ profile feature is rolling out to everyone soon.
Some Pixel users who have updated to Android 15 QPR1 have noticed a strange visual bug. The update seems to be mixing up the light and dark themes for app icons.
For example, if your phone is set to light mode, you might see app icons appear in their dark mode versions. Conversely, if your phone is in dark mode, you might see light mode app icons. This can make the phone’s interface look inconsistent and a bit jarring.
This issue is particularly noticeable with themed icons, which are designed to match the system’s color scheme. However, due to this bug, they appear in the opposite color scheme, creating a visual mismatch.
While this is a minor bug, it can be quite annoying for users who prefer a consistent look and feel on their devices. Fortunately, Google is aware of the issue and is working on a fix. It’s likely that this bug will be addressed in a future update.
In the meantime, users will have to wait patiently for a resolution. While there’s no official workaround at the moment, some users have reported that switching between different accent colors and then reverting back to the original color scheme might temporarily fix the issue. However, this is not a guaranteed solution and may vary depending on the device and Android version.
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