How To Change Language in Gemini App.

Gemini App Logo

Are you looking to switch Gemini to your preferred language? Whether you're using the Gemini app on your Android or iOS device, or accessing it through your web browser, adjusting the language settings is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through each method, ensuring you can interact with Gemini in the language that suits you best.

Knowing how to change your language settings enhances your overall experience, allowing for more natural conversations and a comfortable interface. Let's dive in!

Understanding Gemini's Language Settings.

It's important to note that Gemini's language settings can be influenced by different factors:

  • Gemini Mobile App (Android/iOS): The app usually has its own dedicated language setting, specifically for interacting with Gemini.
  • Google Account Language: For the Gemini web interface, and sometimes for the app, the language is often tied to your broader Google Account language preferences.
  • Device System Language (especially iOS): On iPhones and iPads, some app settings default to mirroring your device's overall system language.

We'll cover all these scenarios to make sure you find the right solution for you.

Method 1: Changing Language in the Gemini Mobile App (Android)

If you're using the Gemini app on your Android smartphone or tablet, here's how to change its language directly:

  1. Open the Gemini App: Launch the Gemini application on your Android device.
  2. Tap Your Profile Picture: In the top right corner of the screen, you'll see your profile picture or initial. Tap on it.
  3. Go to Settings: From the dropdown menu that appears, tap on "Settings" (often represented by a gear icon).
    Settings Icon in Gemini Android App

  4. Select Languages: Within the settings menu, look for and tap on "Languages" or "Languages for speaking to Gemini."
    Language option in Gemini Android App Settings

  5. Choose Your Desired Language: You'll see a list of available languages. Select the one you wish to use (e.g., "English").
    Choosing Language in Gemini Android App

  6. Restart Gemini (if prompted): The app may prompt you to restart Gemini for the changes to take full effect. Confirm the restart.
Your Gemini app should now display its interface and respond in your chosen language!

Method 2: Changing Language in the Gemini Mobile App (iOS - iPhone/iPad)

For iPhone and iPad users, the Gemini app's language often follows your device's system language settings. While there might not always be a direct in-app language setting, here's how you can influence it:
  1. Open iPhone/iPad Settings: Go to your device's main "Settings" app.
  2. Tap General: Scroll down and tap on "General."
  3. Select Language & Region: Tap on "Language & Region."
    Screenshot of Language & Region Setting in iPad

  4. Add/Reorder Languages:
    • If "English" is not already listed, tap "Add Language..." and select "English" from the list.
    • If "English" is already listed but not at the top, you can drag and drop it to the top of your "Preferred Languages" list.
      ipad option to select your preferred language

  5. Confirm Change: Your device will ask if you want to make English your primary language. Confirm this selection.
    Choosing or Adding Preferred language in iPad

  6. Restart Gemini App: Close the Gemini app completely (swipe up from the bottom and swipe the app card away) and then reopen it.
The Gemini app should now reflect your device's primary language setting.

Method 3: Changing Language for the Gemini Web Interface.

The language is typically linked to your overall Google Account settings if you're accessing Gemini through your web browser at gemini.google.com. Here’s how to change it:
  1. Go to your Google Account: You can either visit myaccount.google.com directly or, while on gemini.google.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner and then select "Manage your Google Account."
    Manage Google Account Setting

  2. Navigate to Personal Info: On the left-hand navigation pane, click "Personal info."
    Personal Info in Google Account Setting

  3. Find Language Settings: Scroll down to the "General preferences for the web" section. You'll see an option for "Language." Click on it.
    Choose Language in Google Account

  4. Select your language:
    • Click on your current language.
    • A list of languages will appear. Choose "English."
    • If English isn't listed, click "Add another language" to search for and add it.
      Choose Language for Gemini App

  5. Confirm and Refresh: Once selected, your Google Account language will update. You may need to refresh the Gemini web page (gemini.google.com) for the changes to take effect.

Troubleshooting Tips
  • Restart the App/Browser: If the language doesn't change immediately, try completely closing and reopening the Gemini app or refreshing your web browser.
  • Check for Updates: Ensure your Gemini app is updated to the latest version, as older versions might have different settings or bugs.
  • Clear Cache (Android App): For Android users, if issues persist, you can try clearing the app's cache (Go to Phone Settings > Apps > Gemini > Storage > Clear cache).
  • Verify Google Account Sync: Make sure your Google Account is properly synced across your devices.
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Google Phone App Rolling Out Customizable "Calling Cards" for Contacts

Google Phone Logo Thumbnail

The way you see and present your contacts during calls is getting a stylish upgrade. Google is now widely rolling out "Calling Cards" to the Google Phone and Contacts apps, allowing users to personalize the incoming and outgoing call screens with custom images, fonts, and colors for each contact. This highly anticipated feature, similar in concept to Apple's Contact Posters, offers a fresh visual experience and deeper personalization for your Android device

For years, the call screen remained a largely static interface, often displaying just a small profile picture and a name. As smartphones became increasingly personal, a desire grew for more vibrant, customizable interactions. "Calling Cards" directly addresses this need, moving beyond simple caller ID to offer a full-screen, dynamically designed display that reflects your unique relationship with each person in your contact list.

What Are Google Phone Calling Cards?

"Calling Cards" are essentially enhanced profile displays that appear full-screen when you receive or make a call. Unlike some other platforms that focus on customizing your own outgoing display for others, Google's implementation puts the power of personalization in your hands for the contacts in your phone. This means you can decide how each individual contact appears on your device's call screen, making interactions more visually engaging and recognizable.

Key Features and How They Work:

  • Customizable Visuals: When adding or editing a contact, or upon opening an existing contact's page, you'll see a prompt to "Try adding a calling card." You can choose an image from your camera, gallery, or seamlessly integrate with Google Photos to select the perfect picture.
  • Font and Color Customization: Beyond just a picture, the editor allows you to select a specific font and color for the contact's name, which appears prominently on the Incoming Call screen. Options include a wide array of colors like Autumn Orange, Blush Pink, Royal Blue, and even a "Smart Color" option that adapts to the chosen image.
  • Seamless Integration: The Calling Card image can also double as the contact's standard profile picture and will appear as a banner photo in the Google Contacts app, ensuring a consistent visual experience across your communication tools.
  • Material 3 Expressive Design: This feature aligns with the recent Material 3 Expressive redesign seen in Google's Phone and Contacts apps, contributing to a more modern and cohesive user interface.
  • Wide Rollout: While initially spotted in beta versions (specifically Phone by Google 188 beta and Contacts 4.61), this feature is now rolling out widely to users.
A screenshot demonstrating the Google Phone app's new "Calling Card" feature, showing a full-screen custom image and stylized contact name during an incoming call
Credit: 9to5Google

Enhancing Your Calling Experience.

The introduction of Calling Cards in the Google Phone app marks a significant step towards more personalized and aesthetically pleasing mobile communication. Instead of generic caller ID screens, you'll be greeted by vibrant, custom visuals that make recognizing callers at a glance even easier and more delightful. This update caters to users who value both functionality and a personalized visual experience on their devices.

Availability.

The "Calling Card" feature is currently rolling out to users, particularly those on the beta channels of the Google Phone and Google Contacts apps. Users can expect to see the option appear in their apps over the coming days as the rollout progresses.

Adding Table of Content (TOC) in Blogger.

Table of Contents in Blogger

Creating engaging and easily navigable content is important for any blogger. Long, informative articles can be a treasure trove of information, but without proper organization, they can overwhelm readers and hinder their experience. This is where the Table of Contents (TOC) comes into play, acting as a roadmap that guides your audience through your blog posts.

Adding a table of contents isn't a built-in feature for Blogger users, like on some other platforms. However, fear not! This comprehensive guide will walk you through both manual and, more importantly, automatic methods to seamlessly integrate a TOC into your Blogger blog, significantly enhancing user experience and boosting your search engine optimization (SEO).

What is a Table of Contents (TOC)?

A Table of Contents (TOC) is a list of the main sections or topics within a document, book, or webpage, usually found at the beginning. It helps readers quickly see what's covered and jump directly to specific parts. Think of it as an interactive outline or a roadmap for the content.

Simple Definition

A Table of Contents is an organized list of headings and subheadings that shows what's in a document and where to find it. Each item in the list is typically a clickable link that jumps you to that section.

Why Should You Add a Table of Contents in Blogger?

I know you guys are more interested in the "how" section of this article, but it is also important to understand "why" TOC should be part of your long blog post and how it can improve user experience and SEO.

Here are some key benefits of a Table of Contents (TOC):

  1. Improved User Experience (UX): A TOC allows readers to quickly scan the content and jump directly to the sections that interest them most. This saves time, reduces frustration, and keeps them engaged with your article. Think of it as providing instant access to the information they're looking for.
  2. Enhanced SEO: Search engines like Google love well-structured content. A table of contents helps them better understand the hierarchy and key topics covered in your post. This can lead to:
    • Improved Crawlability: Search engine bots can more easily navigate and index your content.
    • Rich Snippets (Jump Links): Google may display jump links (links to specific sections within your article) directly in the search results, increasing your click-through rate (CTR).
    • Keyword Optimization: The headings in your TOC often contain relevant keywords, further signaling to search engines the topic of your post.
  3. Reduced Bounce Rate: When users can quickly find the information they need, they are more likely to stay on your page and explore further, thus reducing your bounce rate – a positive signal for search engines.
  4. Increased Time on Page: By making your content more digestible and navigable, you encourage readers to spend more time on your page, another crucial metric for SEO.
Okay! Now that we are both aware of the benefits of using TOC, not implementing this in our blog post will be unfair for our long informative articles. Let's learn different approaches to implement this, and later you can decide which one suits best for your needs.

How To Add a Table of Contents in Blogger.

There are generally two approaches to adding a table of contents in Blogger:

  1. Manual Table of Contents: This method involves manually identifying your headings, adding unique IDs to them in the HTML editor, and then creating a list of links that point to these IDs. While straightforward, this can be time-consuming, especially for long articles, and requires manual updates if you change your headings.

  2. Automatic Table of Contents: This more efficient approach utilizes JavaScript code to automatically scan your post for headings (H2, H3, etc.) and generate a linked table of contents. This method is dynamic – if you change your headings, the TOC updates automatically.

Key Note:

While the manual TOC has its place for very short, static pages, for the vast majority of blog posts and content-rich websites, the automatic TOC is undeniably superior in terms of overall performance.


Method 1: Creating a Manual Table of Contents.

The manual TOC relies on a fundamental HTML concept called anchor links. These links allow you to jump to a specific part of the same web page. To make this work, you need two things:

  1. An ID for the target element: A unique identifier (id) attached to the heading or section you want to link to.
  2. A link pointing to that ID: An <a> tag with its href attribute set to followed by the target element's id.

Step-by-Step Guide: Manually Adding TOC in Blogger.

Step 1: Open Your Blog Post in HTML View.

Go to your Blogger dashboard and click on "Posts" in the left sidebar. Either create a "New Post" or open an existing post you want to add a TOC to. 

In the post editor, you'll see two views: "Compose view" (the visual editor) and "HTML view" (the code editor). Click on the "HTML view" tab/button. This is crucial, as you'll be editing the underlying code.

HTML View of Blogger

Step 2: Add Unique IDs to your headings.

Now, you need to identify the headings (e.g., H2, H3, H4) in your post that you want to include in your TOC. For each of these headings, you'll add a unique id attribute.

  • Locate your headings: Scroll through the HTML view and find your heading tags (e.g.,<h2>, <h3>, <h4>).
  • Add an id attribute: Inside the opening tag of each heading, add id="your-unique-id".
    • Each id must be unique within that entire blog post.
    • IDs should contain only letters, numbers, hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Avoid spaces or special characters.
    • Make them descriptive but concise (e.g., id="introduction", id="step-one", id="benefits-of-x").
Adding ID to H2

Step 3: Create a Table of Contents List.

With your headings now uniquely identified, proceed to build the Table of Contents list itself, typically placed at the top of your post. You can achieve this by typing out your desired heading titles as a bulleted or numbered list in the "Compose view." 

For each list item, select the text, click the "Link" icon in the editor, and in the URL field, type a hashtag (#) followed directly by the exact ID you assigned to that corresponding heading in Step 2 (e.g., #introduction for the "Introduction" section). Repeat this linking process for every item in your TOC until all sections are correctly connected. 
TOC link creation

Or you can use the below sample code:

Example: Paste this code where you want to add the TOC in the post with updated ID and Headings.
<div class="toc-container">
  <h4>Table of Contents</h4>
  <ul>
    <li><a href="#introduction">Introduction</a></li>
    <li><a href="#key-features">Key Features</a></li>
    <li><a href="#setting-up">Setting Up</a></li>
    <li><a href="#troubleshooting">Troubleshooting</a></li>
  </ul>
</div>

Note: The div with toc-container and h4 for "Table of Contents" are added for structure, but the core is the ul and li with anchor links.

Step 4: Style Your Table of Contents (Optional but Recommended)

To ensure your manually created Table of Contents looks appealing and seamlessly integrates with your blog's overall design, you can apply custom CSS. This step allows you to control its visual appearance, from fonts and colors to spacing and borders.

To begin, navigate to your Blogger dashboard. From there, locate and click "Theme" in the left sidebar, then click the "Customize" button.

Within the customization options, find and select "Advanced," which will then present you with the choice to "Add CSS." This is the dedicated area where you will paste your custom styling code. After inserting your CSS, click "Save" to apply the changes to your blog's theme.
Advance Setting to Add CSS

Example CSS (you can adjust colors, fonts, margins, etc.):
.toc-container {
  border: 1px solid #ddd;
  padding: 15px;
  margin: 20px 0;
  background-color: #f9f9f9;
  border-radius: 5px;
}

.toc-container h4 {
  font-size: 1.1em;
  color: #333;
  margin-top: 0;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.toc-container ul {
  list-style-type: none; /* Removes default bullets/numbers */
  padding-left: 0;
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

.toc-container li {
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.toc-container a {
  text-decoration: none;
  color: #007bff; /* Example link color */
  transition: color 0.3s ease;
}

.toc-container a:hover {
  color: #0056b3; /* Example hover color */
  text-decoration: underline;
}

Step 5: Preview and Publish Your Post.

Click the "Preview" button in the Blogger post editor to see how your TOC looks and if the links work correctly. If everything looks good, click "Publish" (or "Update" for an existing post).

The manual method is a good way to understand how anchor links work and is suitable for occasional, shorter posts where you need precise control. However, for a scalable and efficient solution, an automatic TOC is generally preferred.

Method 2: Implementing an Automatic Table of Contents.

This method is recommended for most Blogger users as it automatically generates the TOC based on your post's headings, saving you significant time and effort in the long run. It involves adding a bit of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to your Blogger theme.

Step-by-step Guide: Automatic Table of Contents.

Step 1: Prepare your blog post headings.

Before adding any code, ensure your blog posts are structured correctly using Blogger's heading options. The automatic script will rely on these.

When writing your posts in "Compose view," always use the built-in heading styles (e.g., "Heading," "Subheading," "Minor heading") for your main sections and sub-sections. These correspond to HTML tags like <h2>, <h3>, <h4>, etc.

Step 2: Add the HTML placeholder for the TOC.

This is where your Table of Contents will actually appear in your blog posts. You'll add a simple div element.
  1. Open or Create a Post: Go to your Blogger dashboard, then "Posts," and open the post where you want the TOC to appear.
  2. Switch to HTML View: In the post editor, click on the "HTML view" tab/button.
  3. Insert the Placeholder: Decide where you want your TOC to show up. The most common and effective place is right after your introductory paragraph, before the first main heading (<h2>).
Note: This check ensures the script only runs if you've placed the code in your post, preventing errors on pages without a TOC.

Paste the following HTML Code:
<div id="blog-toc-container"></div>

Step 3: Add the Custom CSS for Styling the TOC.

From the Blogger dashboard, click on Theme > Customize > Advanced and select the "Add CSS" option from the drop-down. Copy the following CSS code and paste it into the "Add CSS" box. You can modify the values (colors, padding, margins, etc.) to match your blog's design.

CSS Code:
/* Table of Contents Styling */
#blog-toc-container {
  background: #fdfdfd; /* Light background for the box */
  border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; /* Subtle border */
  padding: 20px;
  margin: 25px 0; /* Space above and below the TOC */
  border-radius: 8px; /* Slightly rounded corners */
  box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.05); /* Soft shadow */
}

#blog-toc-container .toc-title {
  font-size: 1.25em; /* Larger title font */
  font-weight: 700; /* Bold title */
  color: #333;
  margin-bottom: 15px; /* Space below title */
  text-align: center; /* Center the title */
}

#blog-toc-container ul {
  list-style: none; /* Remove default list bullets/numbers */
  padding-left: 0;
  margin: 0;
}

#blog-toc-container li {
  margin-bottom: 8px; /* Space between list items */
  line-height: 1.5;
}

#blog-toc-container a {
  text-decoration: none; /* Remove underline from links */
  color: #007bff; /* Link color */
  font-weight: 500;
  transition: color 0.3s ease; /* Smooth hover effect */
}

#blog-toc-container a:hover {
  color: #0056b3; /* Link hover color */
  text-decoration: underline;
}

/* Indentation for subheadings */
#blog-toc-container ul ul {
  margin-left: 5px; /* Indent for H3 */
  padding-left: 5px;
}

#blog-toc-container ul ul ul {
  margin-left: 5px; /* Indent for H4 */
  padding-left: 5px;
}

Click "Save" at the bottom right of the theme customizer.

Step 4: Add the JavaScript for Generating the TOC.

This code finds headings and creates a TOC dynamically.
  1. From the Blogger dashboard, click on Theme in the left sidebar and select "Edit HTML" from the drop-down.
  2. Locate the </body> Tag: Carefully scroll down to the very end of your theme's HTML code and find the closing </body> tag. Press Ctrl+F to find the exact keyword.
  3. Paste the following JavaScript code just before the </body> tag and click on the Save icon. This ensures the entire page content is loaded before the script tries to find the headings. 
Code to add Automatic Table of Contents in Blogger

JavaScript Code:
<script>
//<![CDATA[
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
    const tocContainer = document.getElementById('blog-toc-container');

    if (tocContainer) { // Ensure the TOC container exists on the page
        const postBody = document.querySelector('.post-body, .blog-post-body'); // Adjust based on your theme's content selector
        if (!postBody) {
            console.warn("Could not find post body. TOC generation aborted.");
            return;
        }

        const headings = postBody.querySelectorAll('h2, h3, h4'); // Select heading levels to include

        if (headings.length > 0) {
            let tocHtml = '<div class="toc-title">Table of Contents</div><ul class="toc-main-list">';
            let currentH2 = null;
            let currentH3 = null;

            headings.forEach((heading, index) => {
                // Generate a unique ID for the heading if it doesn't have one
                const headingId = heading.id || 'section-' + (index + 1);
                heading.id = headingId; // Assign the ID back to the heading

                const headingText = heading.textContent.trim();
                const tagName = heading.tagName.toLowerCase(); // h2, h3, h4

                if (tagName === 'h2') {
                    if (currentH2) { // Close previous h2's ul if open
                        if (currentH3) {
                            tocHtml += '</ul>'; // Close h3 ul
                            currentH3 = null;
                        }
                        tocHtml += '</ul>'; // Close h2 ul
                    }
                    tocHtml += `<li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a><ul class="toc-h2-list">`;
                    currentH2 = headingText;
                    currentH3 = null; // Reset H3 for new H2
                } else if (tagName === 'h3') {
                    if (!currentH2) { // If an H3 appears before any H2, handle it (e.g., skip or add to main list)
                        // Optional: You could add it to the main list or skip
                        // For simplicity, we'll ensure it's nested under an H2 or add to top level if no H2
                         tocHtml += `<li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a></li>`;
                    } else {
                        if (!currentH3) {
                            tocHtml += `<ul class="toc-h3-list">`;
                            currentH3 = headingText;
                        }
                        tocHtml += `<li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a></li>`;
                    }
                } else if (tagName === 'h4') {
                    if (!currentH3) { // If H4 appears without H3, try to nest under H2, or add to top
                        if (!currentH2) {
                            tocHtml += `<li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a></li>`; // Add to main list if no H2/H3
                        } else {
                            tocHtml += `<ul class="toc-h3-list"><li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a></li></ul>`; // Create temporary H3 list
                        }
                    } else {
                         tocHtml += `<ul class="toc-h4-list"><li><a href="#${headingId}">${headingText}</a></li></ul>`; // H4s usually don't nest further
                    }
                }
            });

            // Close any open lists at the end
            if (currentH3) {
                tocHtml += '</ul>';
            }
            if (currentH2) {
                tocHtml += '</ul>';
            }
            tocHtml += '</ul>'; // Close the main list

            tocContainer.innerHTML = tocHtml;
        } else {
            tocContainer.style.display = 'none'; // Hide container if no headings found
        }
    }
});
//]]>
</script>
Key Points.
  • You may need to inspect your blog's HTML (right-click on a post, "Inspect" or "View Page Source") to find the exact class name or ID of the div that contains your main post content. If neither of these works for your theme, replace it with the correct selector (e.g., #main-post-content if your content div has an ID).
  • headings Selector: postBody.querySelectorAll('h2, h3, h4'); determines which heading levels will be included in your TOC. If you only use H2 and H3, you can remove h4.

Step 5: Test Your Automatic Table of Contents.

Go to any blog post where you've added the <div id="blog-toc-container"></div> placeholder and view it in your browser. The user can now easily navigate to different sections of the blog post.

⚠️ Troubleshoot

TOC not appearing? Double-check the postBody selector in the JavaScript matches your theme, and ensure the <div id="blog-toc-container"></div> is present in the post. Also, check for JavaScript errors in your browser's console (right-click, Inspect, Console tab).

Conclusion

The automatic Table of Contents is the clear winner for most modern websites and blogs for performance, efficiency, and sanity. It offers superior scalability, drastically reduces maintenance, and, when implemented correctly, can contribute positively to your page load speed. Invest a little time upfront in setting up a robust automatic TOC script, and you'll reap the performance and productivity benefits for years to come.

Google Flights Unveils AI-Powered "Flight Deals".

New Google Flights "Flight Deals" Interface

Gone are the days of endless tab-hopping and meticulous date adjustments to find the perfect flight deal. Google is revolutionizing travel planning with the launch of "Flight Deals," a new AI-powered search tool seamlessly integrated within Google Flights. Designed specifically for flexible travelers whose top priority is saving money, this innovative feature promises to simplify the quest for affordable airfare.

How AI Transforms Your Flight Search.

At its core, "Flight Deals" leverages Google's advanced AI to understand the nuances of your travel preferences through natural language queries. Instead of rigid date and destination inputs, you can now describe your ideal trip as if you're talking to a friend. For instance, you could search for:

  • Week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop.
  • 10-day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder.
  • Romantic weekend getaways.
  • See the cherry blossoms in Japan.
The AI then processes these conversational inputs, identifies matching destinations, and taps into real-time Google Flights data from hundreds of airlines and booking sites. This intelligent approach helps uncover the best bargains available, even suggesting destinations you might not have previously considered. The results are optimized for savings, highlighting flights that are cheaper than usual.

Beyond Filters: A More Intuitive Planning Experience.

This new tool complements the existing Google Flights experience, which will continue to operate and receive updates. "Flight Deals" offers a more fluid and less prescriptive way to explore travel possibilities, bridging the gap between your abstract travel ideas and concrete flight data. It's particularly beneficial for those who prioritize budget and flexibility over a fixed itinerary.

In addition to "Flight Deals," Google Flights is also adding a new option for users in the U.S. and Canada to exclude basic economy fares from their search results, providing more control over comfort and amenities.

Rollout and Availability.

"Flight Deals" is currently in its beta phase and is rolling out over the next week to users in the United States, Canada, and India. There's no opt-in required; users can access the new feature directly via the dedicated "Flight Deals" page or through the top-left menu within Google Flights. Google is actively gathering feedback during this beta period to further refine how AI can enhance the travel planning process.

This update represents Google's ongoing commitment to integrating AI across its products, making complex tasks like finding cheap flights more accessible and intuitive for everyone. Get ready to explore more, save more, and travel smarter with the power of AI at your fingertips.

Google Keep for Android Gains Essential "Sort" Feature for Enhanced Organization.

Google Keep Logo
Key Highlights.
  • Google Keep for Android now allows users to sort notes by "Custom," "Date created," or "Date modified."
  • This update significantly enhances the ability to manage and find notes within the app, especially for large note collections.
  • The sorting capability is currently rolling out to Google Keep on Android (v5.25.312.00.90) via a server-side update.

Google Keep, the minimalist note-taking app beloved for its simplicity and cross-platform syncing, is finally rolling out a long-awaited "Sort by" feature for its Android application. This significant quality-of-life improvement addresses a persistent user request, allowing for much more efficient organization and retrieval of notes.

Previously, Google Keep primarily relied on a reverse chronological order or manual dragging for note arrangement, which could become cumbersome for users with extensive note libraries. The introduction of dedicated sorting options marks a substantial step towards providing users with greater control over their digital thoughts.

New Sorting Options to Tame Your Notes.

The new "Sort by" capability can be found conveniently located within the search bar, next to the existing single or multi-column feed switcher icon. Tapping this new icon reveals a bottom sheet with clear sorting choices:

  • Custom: This is the default setting and maintains your manually arranged order (notes can still be dragged and dropped).
  • Date created: Organizes notes based on when they were originally made, from newest to oldest or vice-versa.
  • Date modified: Sorts notes by their last edited date, keeping your most recently updated thoughts easily accessible.

When a date-based sorting option is active, the sort icon in the search field will visually indicate that it is active, making it clear how your notes are currently organized. Google Keep also intelligently remembers your "Custom" order, so you can always revert to your preferred manual arrangement after using the date-based sorting.

Google Keep Notes
Credit: Google

A Gradual Rollout and Platform Availability.

This highly anticipated feature is rolling out widely to Android users on Google Keep version 5.25.312.00.90, though it appears to be a server-side update, meaning availability may vary even for users on the correct app version. While Android is receiving this update first, there is no immediate confirmation on its rollout to iOS or the web client at this time. The feature also integrates seamlessly with the Material 3 Expressive design language, which many users are beginning to see in the app.

This update transforms Google Keep from a simple dumping ground for thoughts into a more powerful and manageable organizational tool, especially for those juggling a large number of notes and lists.

Google Wallet Streamlines Pixel Payments with New Quick Access Overlay

Google Wallet Logo
Key Highlights.
  • Quick Access Overlay: Google Wallet introduces a new card carousel overlay for Pixel devices via the double-tap power button, enabling faster payments.
  • Seamless User Experience: Pay with a different card instantly without fully opening the Wallet app, then quickly return to your previous activity.
  • Gradual Rollout: The feature is arriving on Pixel phones running Android 16 and Wallet v25.31, indicating a staged deployment.

Google is rolling out a significant quality-of-life improvement for Pixel users, introducing a new, intuitive overlay for Google Wallet that enhances the speed and convenience of contactless payments. This update, observed on devices running Android 16 and Google Wallet version 25.31, streamlines access to your payment cards directly from a double-tap power button gesture.

For a long time, Pixel users could customize the double-press power button gesture to launch the full Google Wallet app. While useful, this meant navigating the entire application just to select a different card for payment. The new overlay revolutionizes this process by presenting a card carousel directly above your current screen, featuring a subtly blurred background.

This "hold to reader" NFC animation and quick card selection is a game-changer for users who frequently switch between different cards or need to pay rapidly without fully leaving their active application. After the transaction is complete, the overlay dismisses, allowing users to seamlessly return to what they were doing previously. A convenient "Open Wallet" shortcut is also provided at the bottom for those who need to access more in-depth Wallet features.

Google wallet touch to pay

The feature appears to be rolling out gradually, as not all Pixel devices have received it yet. It's tied to Android 16 and requires Google Wallet version 25.31, along with the latest Play services (beta). Early reports indicate it's appearing for users with Pixel 9 Pro Fold devices running Android 16. This new overlay is reminiscent of a similar quick access feature seen in previous Android versions, indicating Google's continued focus on optimizing payment flows.

This update reinforces Google's commitment to making digital payments on Pixel devices not just secure, but also incredibly efficient and user-friendly.

Google Gemini Boosts User Privacy with New Temporary Chats & Enhanced Data Controls.

Gemini Temporary Chats Option
Key Points.
  • New Temporary Chat Mode: Engage with Gemini in sessions that won't be saved to your history or used for personalization, ensuring enhanced privacy.
  • Balanced Personalization: Gemini can now offer more tailored responses based on your saved chat history, while giving you the choice for private, unsaved conversations.

Google is rolling out a significant update to its Gemini AI chatbot, introducing a highly anticipated "Temporary Chats" feature alongside more robust personalization options and expanded privacy controls. This move empowers users with greater command over their conversation history and how their data is used, addressing key privacy considerations in the evolving AI landscape.

Historically, AI chatbots often save conversation history to improve performance and personalize future interactions. While beneficial for continuity, this approach raises concerns for users who prioritize privacy. Google's new Temporary Chats directly tackles this by allowing users to engage with Gemini in sessions that will not be saved in their Gemini Apps Activity, nor will these specific conversations be used to personalize future responses.

Introducing Gemini's Temporary Chats.

When a temporary chat is initiated, it functions as a clean slate, ensuring that any sensitive or one-off queries remain ephemeral. This offers peace of mind for users discussing private topics or conducting quick, isolated tasks without a permanent record. It's important to note that certain advanced features that rely on persistent activity, such as personalized responses based on past interactions or integrations with other Google services (like Workspace), will not be available in temporary chat mode.

For users who prefer a more personalized experience, Gemini is also enhancing its ability to learn from past chats (when chat history is enabled). This allows the AI assistant to provide more tailored and relevant responses over time, becoming an even more proactive and powerful tool the more you interact with it. Just as Gemini adapts to your conversational style, you can also easily customize its interface by learning how to change language in the Gemini app, ensuring your entire experience is tailored to your preferences. 

How Temporary Chats Work?

Complementing these features are new, more granular privacy settings. Users now have increased control over their Gemini Apps Activity, including options to:

  • Review and delete past conversations.
  • Adjust auto-delete settings for their activity, allowing them to choose shorter or longer retention periods, or turn off saving entirely.
  • Manage location permissions and other data access directly from within the Gemini app or associated Google Account settings.

These updates underscore Google's ongoing commitment to user control and data privacy within its experimental generative AI offerings. By providing clear choices and ephemeral chat options, Gemini aims to build greater trust and flexibility for its growing user base.

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