Google recently added a new full-screen account switcher to Android, but many users feel it’s a step back in terms of speed and design. Before this change, when you tapped your profile picture in apps like Gmail or Google Maps, a small pop-up would let you quickly switch accounts without leaving the screen. Now, this action opens a full-screen page, which takes longer to load and feels less smooth.

The new design is trying to be more consistent with Material You — Google’s modern design style — and matches how account switching works in the Google app and Play Store. However, the added animations and full-page layout seem to slow things down instead of improving the experience. It also forces users to take more steps just to switch accounts.

One positive part is that the switcher now includes a “Manage accounts” option directly within the full-screen view. This used to be hidden in a separate menu, so it’s easier to find now. Still, many people preferred the quicker, simpler pop-up style.

It’s not clear if Google will keep this new full-screen switcher or make changes based on feedback. For now, if you use multiple accounts often on Android, expect the process to take a bit longer than before. While design updates can help unify the look of Android apps, they shouldn’t get in the way of basic tasks like switching accounts.

Google has announced that Android Auto is now available in over 250 million vehicles around the world. This big milestone shows just how widely used the software has become since it launched in 2015.

Android Auto lets drivers connect their Android phones to their car’s infotainment system, giving them easy access to apps like Google Maps, YouTube Music, and messaging while staying focused on the road. Over the years, Google has made several improvements to the platform, such as a split-screen design that shows navigation, media, and messages all at once. It also uses Google Assistant to make hands-free tasks easier.

This wide availability is thanks to support from over 60 car brands, including Ford, General Motors, Honda, and Hyundai. Many new vehicles now come with Android Auto pre-installed. In 2023, the redesigned Android Auto started rolling out, featuring a modern look, better controls, and support for more screen sizes.

Besides Android Auto, Google also works with automakers to bring Google built-in systems directly into cars. This means features like Google Maps and Google Assistant are part of the car itself, even without a phone. Though not as widespread yet, more brands like Volvo, Polestar, and Honda are starting to include it.

With Android Auto now reaching over 250 million vehicles, Google continues to strengthen its place in the connected car space. It’s clear that both Android Auto and Google’s built-in systems are playing a big role in shaping the future of driving.

Google has started rolling out a new feature that lets its Gemini AI assistant understand what you’re looking at on your phone screen. This update is now available for Android users in the US and works through the Gemini app or the Assistant toggle.

Once this feature is active, you’ll see a small Gemini overlay at the corner of your screen. You can ask it questions about whatever is on display — like a recipe, a news article, or a shopping page — and it will respond based on what it sees. For example, if you’re viewing a news article, you can ask Gemini to summarize it. If you’re shopping, it might help compare prices or provide reviews.

This “circle to search” style of interaction is built to feel more natural. You can either speak, type, or even draw a circle around something, and Gemini will know what you’re referring to. However, not all apps are supported yet, especially those with extra privacy protections like banking apps.

The new feature is part of Google’s push to make Gemini a true replacement for Google Assistant. Over time, it may offer more smart actions, especially as Gemini becomes more integrated with Android and Google services.

While this rollout is currently limited to English-speaking users in the US, more regions and languages are expected to be added in future updates. If you don’t see the feature yet, make sure you’ve updated your Gemini app and enabled the on-screen context option in the settings.