Gemini app enhances utilities, Pixel Recorder introduces clear voice, and Google Messages revamps text field design
Tech enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to as Gemini, Pixel Recorder, and Google Messages unveil significant updates aimed at improving user experience and functionality. Here’s a deep dive into these updates and what they mean for users.
Gemini App Expands with Utilities Extension
The Gemini app has begun a wider rollout of its Utilities Extension, allowing users to handle various tasks directly within the app. This new addition eliminates reliance on Google Assistant for basic functions like turning on the flashlight or setting alarms.
How to Access the Utilities Extension
- Open the Gemini app.
- Tap multitasking, select App Info, and force stop the Google app.
- The Utilities feature should now appear in the Extensions section of Gemini and is enabled by default.
Key Features
With Utilities, users can perform numerous tasks even from the lock screen, such as:
- Managing alarms, timers, and notifications.
- Controlling device features like Bluetooth, Flashlight, Battery Saver, and Do Not Disturb mode.
- Adjusting volume and brightness settings.
- Powering off or restarting the device.
- Capturing photos or screenshots.
The update also allows Gemini to interact with Pixel Screenshots, enabling advanced browsing or searching through screenshots using voice commands.
Detailed Capabilities
Gemini supports multitasking with commands such as:
- “Turn on Battery Saver and reduce brightness to 50%.”
- “Take a selfie with a 10-second timer.”
Additionally, it can open apps, settings, and websites or manage alarms and timers with natural language commands like:
- “Set an alarm for 7 AM.”
- “Show my alarms and delete the one for 8 AM.”
Pixel Recorder Preps “Clear Voice” Feature
Google is testing a new feature for Pixel Recorder called Clear Voice, designed to reduce background noise for clearer speech playback.
What is Clear Voice?
This feature isolates human speech while removing environmental sounds, improving recording quality. However, it only works with the phone’s internal microphone and mono audio, as external microphones and stereo recording are not supported.
Technical Highlights
- Users can toggle Clear Voice in the Recorder app settings.
- Strings within the app suggest guidance like:
- “Switch to mono audio for this feature.”
- “Clear Voice is disabled for new recordings by default.”
Though Clear Voice isn’t live yet, its development shows promise, particularly for those frequently recording in noisy environments.
Other Recorder Updates
Pixel Recorder has also integrated Gemini Nano multimodality for summarizing longer transcripts on Pixel 9 devices. Additionally, a Recorder app shortcut has been added for quick access, and support for wrist-based recordings on the Pixel Watch 3 and older models was recently introduced.
Google Messages Rolls Out New Text Field Redesign
Google Messages is undergoing yet another design revamp, improving usability and addressing feedback from prior updates.
What’s New?
The latest beta version introduces a left-aligned text field with redesigned button placement:
- Plus Button remains on the far left for quick access.
- Buttons for Magic Compose, Emoji, and Gallery are rearranged for better ergonomics.
- Voice Memo/Send remains to the right of the text field.
This redesign seeks to declutter the interface while maintaining functionality.
Additional Updates
- Read Receipts Redesign: Now visible on the main message list, though this may still be in beta testing.
- Smart Reply Suggestions: Users hope for a return of the Magic Compose/Rewrite option for more streamlined messaging.
How to Try the Update
To access the redesign, install the beta version (20241202_01_RC00) and force stop the app via settings. However, it may not be available to all users yet, as the rollout is gradual.
Conclusion
The recent updates across Gemini, Pixel Recorder, and Google Messages signal Google’s commitment to enhancing usability and efficiency. Whether it’s through Gemini’s expanded task management, Pixel Recorder’s noise-reduction technology, or Google Messages’ improved interface, these innovations make life easier for users in a tech-driven world.
Stay tuned as these features continue to roll out and improve over time!
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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