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Google Chat introduces audio huddles and Gemini app enhancements for Workspace users

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Google is expanding its productivity toolkit with two major updates for Workspace users: the introduction of Huddles in Google Chat and the rollout of the Gemini app for Android and iOS. These new features aim to streamline collaboration and enhance productivity, whether you’re in a meeting or working on the go.

Google Chat Huddles: Instant-On Audio Meetings

Unveiled in August 2023, Huddles in Google Chat provide an audio-first meeting experience that integrates seamlessly into your conversations. These “instant-on” meetings aim to simplify the process of connecting with teammates without the need to share meeting links manually.

How Huddles Work

  • Accessing Huddles: Found in the top-right corner of Google Chat conversations (web version), users can start a Huddle directly from any direct message, group conversation, or Space.
  • Recipient Notifications: Participants will see a message chip in their chat thread indicating who started the Huddle.
  • Controls and Features: Huddles open in a floating window, offering easy access to controls like adding video, screen sharing, and ending the session with a quick toggle.

Powered by Google Meet, Huddles support multitasking, allowing users to resize the meeting window or share their screens without interrupting their workflow. This integration bridges the gap between quick chats and full-scale meetings.

Availability

Google Chat Huddles are rolling out over the coming weeks to the following Workspace tiers:

  • Business Plans: Starter, Standard, Plus
  • Enterprise Plans: Starter, Standard, Plus
  • Essentials: Essentials and Essentials Plus
  • Nonprofits: Google Workspace for Nonprofits
  • Frontline Plans: Starter and Standard

Gemini App for Android and iOS

Building on its September announcement, Google is also rolling out the Gemini app for Android and iOS to Workspace users. This app combines advanced research capabilities with on-the-go tools designed to boost efficiency.

Key Features

  1. Quick Research and Answers: Users can search for information or get fast insights directly within the app.
  2. Visual Tools: Use your phone’s camera to snap pictures of handwritten notes and convert them into digital formats, such as Google Docs or Gmail drafts. You can also turn whiteboard charts into polished presentations.
  3. Mobile Accessibility: With the Gemini app, Workspace users can stay productive while away from their desks.

Limitations

While the app provides many useful tools, some features are not yet available:

  • Gemini Workspace Extension: Features like integration with Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Drive, Keep, and Tasks are still in development.
  • File Uploads and Gems: These functionalities are unavailable at launch.
  • Work Profile Support: On Android, the app doesn’t currently support Work Profiles.

Supported Workspace Tiers

Gemini is being introduced to a wide range of Workspace plans, including:

  • Business Plans: Starter, Standard, Plus
  • Enterprise Plans: Starter, Standard, Plus
  • Education Plans: Fundamentals, Standard, Plus
  • Frontline Plans: Starter and Standard
  • Nonprofits: Google Workspace for Nonprofits
  • Add-ons: Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education, and Education Premium

Additional details about availability and supported languages are provided on Google’s official pages.

What This Means for Workspace Users

With Huddles, teams can initiate quick, audio-first meetings directly from their chats, making spontaneous collaboration smoother and more efficient. Meanwhile, the Gemini app empowers mobile productivity, helping users research, create, and organize while on the go.

These updates reflect Google’s ongoing commitment to enhancing collaboration and productivity across its Workspace ecosystem, ensuring users have access to intuitive tools that meet the demands of modern work environments.

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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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Smart home and navigation upgrades for easier living

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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.

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Google updates Chrome, Search, and Play Store for better user experience

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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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