Google apps get new look with Material 3 and easier Gemini model selection
Google is rolling out a fresh design to many of its apps, thanks to the Material 3 Expressive update. Apps like Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, and Google Drive are starting to show brighter colors and more personalized themes. Instead of sticking to the usual blue, Google is letting app icons and screens reflect your chosen background color. This makes the whole experience feel more modern and consistent across Android devices.
For example, Gmail’s red color might now shift to match your phone’s wallpaper style, whether it’s a bold or soft theme. Calendar, Docs, and Drive are also adopting these changes, giving users a cleaner and more dynamic look that feels more in sync with Android’s overall design.
Along with the design refresh, Google is also making it easier to use different Gemini AI models inside its apps. There’s a new “model picker” in the side panel of apps like Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail. This feature lets you switch between the regular Gemini 1.5 model and Gemini 1.5 Pro, depending on your needs.
The model picker clearly shows which version you’re using and gives a short explanation of each one. While it’s currently available for those with Gemini for Workspace, a wider rollout is expected soon. With these updates, Google is making its apps not only look better but also smarter and more flexible for users.