Google Updates: Chat sidebar revamp, TV streamer feedback, and Messages redesign
Google has rolled out several updates across its services, including a revamped Google Chat sidebar, a feedback survey for Google TV Streamer users, and an upgraded interface for Google Messages. These updates aim to improve functionality, customization, and user experience across the platforms.
Google Chat: Sidebar Customization with Custom Sections
Google Chat’s web interface now includes custom sections in the sidebar, offering users more control over organizing their conversations. This redesign introduces a unified navigation experience and flexibility for users to structure the interface as per their preferences.
Key Features of the Sidebar Update
- Custom Sections Creation
- Users can create new sections by navigating to Direct Messages or Spaces, hovering over the three-dot menu, and selecting Create new section.
- Conversations from Direct Messages, group chats, and Spaces can be moved into these sections using drag-and-drop or the Move conversation option.
- Enhanced Navigation
- All sections are unified into a single scrollable list, allowing smoother navigation.
- Users can view top conversations, expand sections to access older chats, and use a new “Show all” option for browsing conversations.
- Additional Sidebar Features
- Adjust the size (height) of sections.
- Reorder sections by dragging them up or down.
- Toggle an Unread filter to focus on messages requiring attention.
- Quickly start new messages from the three-dot menu.
- New Default Section: Apps
- A dedicated section for app integrations has been added to the sidebar.
Mobile and Rollout Details
While these features will be reflected in the Android and iOS versions of Google Chat under a “Sections” tab, creating and managing custom sections remains exclusive to the web. The update will roll out gradually to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal account users in the coming weeks.
Google TV Streamer Survey: Gathering User Feedback
Google is reaching out to users of the Google TV Streamer (4K) via surveys to better understand their experience. The survey focuses on usability, design, and performance, highlighting areas for potential improvements.
Key Survey Questions
- User Satisfaction: Participants rate their likelihood to recommend the device on a 0–10 scale.
- Purchase Decision: Google explores why users chose the TV Streamer over competitors like Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick.
- Common Issues Reported:
- Problems with Wi-Fi setup or remote functionality.
- Difficulties in adjusting settings via the Home App.
- Slow navigation, casting issues, or insufficient storage for updates.
- Voice control or “Find my remote” features not working.
User Insights
The survey also gathers feedback on how users perceive the design and ease of using the device, as well as their satisfaction with features like smart home integration and storage capacity.
Google Messages: Merged Camera and Gallery Interface
Google Messages is testing a new design for its media picker, merging the camera viewfinder and gallery into a single fullscreen interface. This update is also rolling out the ability to send media in Original quality.
Changes in the Media Picker
- New Fullscreen Interface
- Tapping the Gallery icon now opens a fullscreen UI with the live camera viewfinder at the top and a gallery section below.
- Users can swipe to expand the gallery into a full grid or access the system photo picker through the “Folders” option.
- Simplified Media Quality Settings
- Users can select between two quality options before sending:
- Optimize for Chat: Reduces size for faster sending and less data usage.
- Original Quality: Sends images and videos at full resolution, marked by an HD+ icon.
- The “Send photos faster” toggle in Settings will be removed once this feature is widely available.
- Users can select between two quality options before sending:
- Streamlined Media Sending
- After selecting or capturing media, users can preview it in a new interface with options to write captions and confirm the recipient.
Current Rollout Status
This redesign is currently available in beta (version 20241118_03_RC00) and will be gradually rolled out to all users.
Conclusion
Google’s recent updates focus on empowering users with more customization, improved design, and better functionality. Whether through Google Chat’s flexible sidebar, TV Streamer feedback surveys, or Messages’ enhanced media-sharing options, these changes aim to deliver a seamless and user-friendly experience across platforms.
Google Meet is getting a big update to its look, thanks to the new Material 3 design. This change brings a cleaner and more modern style to the video calling app, making it easier and more enjoyable to use.
With Material 3, Google Meet now has rounder buttons, softer colors, and better spacing between elements. The main controls, like the microphone, camera, and end call buttons, are now larger and easier to tap. The icons and text are also clearer, which helps users find what they need quickly during a call.
Another improvement is the new “expressive” color system. This feature lets the app’s colors match your device’s wallpaper or theme, giving each user a unique and personalized experience. The changes also make Google Meet more accessible, as the new design is easier to read and use for everyone, including people with vision difficulties.
These updates are rolling out to both web and mobile versions of Google Meet. Google says the new look will help people feel more comfortable and focused during their meetings. Overall, the Material 3 update makes Google Meet not only look better but also work better for all its users.
Android Auto is a helpful tool that lets you use your phone’s apps safely while driving. It connects your phone to your car’s screen, making it easier to use maps, music, and calls. One of the features many people like is the ability to change how Android Auto looks by switching between light and dark themes.
How to switch between light and dark themes
Android Auto offers two main themes: light and dark. The light theme uses brighter colors, which can make the screen easier to see during the day. The dark theme uses darker colors, which can be more comfortable for your eyes at night or in low light.
To change the theme, follow these steps:
- Open the Android Auto app on your phone.
- Go to the settings menu.
- Find the “Theme” option.
- Choose between “Light,” “Dark,” or “Set by car” (this lets your car decide the theme based on the time of day or your car’s settings).
Why themes matter
Using the right theme can make driving safer and more comfortable. The light theme is good for bright days, while the dark theme helps reduce glare at night. Having these options means you can pick what works best for you, making Android Auto easier to use in any condition.
In short, Android Auto’s theme options are simple to use and help you drive more safely by making the screen easy to see, no matter the time of day.
Google is rolling out some helpful updates to two of its popular apps: Google Drive and Files by Google. These changes are designed to make managing your files and watching videos much smoother.
First, Google Drive is getting a new video player. Now, when you upload a video to Drive and open it, you’ll notice a fresh look that matches Google’s latest design style. The controls, like play and pause, are easier to use and look cleaner. This update makes it simpler to watch videos directly in Drive without needing to download them first.
Meanwhile, the Files by Google app is also getting a makeover. The app is adopting Google’s Material 3 design, which means it looks brighter and more modern. The buttons and menus are easier to see and use, making it simpler to find, move, and organize your files. There are also new color options and improved icons, so everything feels more user-friendly.
Both updates show Google’s commitment to making its apps more helpful and enjoyable to use. Whether you’re watching videos in Drive or sorting files on your phone, these changes aim to save you time and make things less complicated. If you use these apps, keep an eye out for these new features—they should arrive soon!
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