Google app Archives

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

NotebookLM is my favorite AI tool, but wow, its Android version is bad!

NotebookLM is Google's AI tool that allows users to curate and manage information by dictating sources for insights. The recently launched NotebookLM Android app offers a functional experience with features like smooth animations and the ability to switch between Google accounts, but lacks essential functionalities such as robust note creation and the Discover feature available on the web. Users have reported slower processing times for Audio Overviews on the app compared to the web interface. Despite initial disappointment, there is hope for improvement and users are optimistic about future updates that may enhance the app's capabilities.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Google reveals vibrant Material 3 Expressive, coming soon to a Pixel near you

Google has unveiled its new Android design refresh, Material 3 Expressive, which will debut with the Android operating system and extend across the Google app ecosystem. This design builds on the previous Material You system and features "springy" animations, brighter colors, and innovative shapes. The development was informed by user research involving over 18,000 participants, indicating that users can locate important buttons up to four times faster than with older interfaces. Future Android iterations will emphasize playful animations, a bolder color scheme, improved typography for better contrast, a wider variety of button shapes, and more legible status bar icons.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

So many people had no clue this Google app for managing photos and videos existed!

Google's Gallery app, previously known as Gallery Go, has over a billion downloads and has been available for six years, yet remains largely unknown to many users, including Pixel device owners. It serves as a simpler, offline alternative to Google Photos, appealing to users with limited storage or unreliable connectivity. A trending Reddit thread revealed users' surprise at the app's existence, with many expressing frustration with Google Photos' complexity. Launched in 2019, the Gallery app was initially aimed at low-end devices and has seen minimal marketing and updates since then. Its primary function is to allow users to view locally stored photos and videos, and it includes basic AI-powered photo organization.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

What’s The Best Alternative To Shazam For Android Users?

Shazam was launched in the UK in 2002 as a service where users could call a number to identify songs for a fee. Acquired by Apple in 2018, it remains available for Android users and integrates with various music platforms while being free to use. Shazam struggles with identifying earworms. SoundHound, Shazam's main competitor, has around 100 million users and can identify songs quickly, providing detailed information and lyrics. It allows users to hum or sing songs for identification, though this feature is not always accurate. SoundHound's free version includes ads, while SoundHound Infinity offers an ad-free experience for .99. Musixmatch is another alternative that identifies songs and focuses on lyrics, allowing users to create "lyrics cards" and offering a translation feature. It requires the actual song for identification. The Google app also provides quick song identification, including for hummed or sung versions, but gives candid feedback on user performance.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Gemini Live’s most powerful upgrade could be right around the corner (APK teardown)

Google's Gemini platform is evolving to perform tasks across various applications, with the recent rebranding of Extensions to Apps enhancing its interaction with software and services. Analysis of the beta release of the Google app for Android indicates upcoming support for Gemini Apps in Live mode, suggesting real-time capabilities are being developed. The rollout of Gemini Apps is expected to be phased, with "phase one" indicating a gradual introduction of features, though details on the initial applications remain unclear. The tech community is anticipating more information about compatible apps and the official announcement of these functionalities.

AppWizard

May 5, 2025

Google’s AI Mode tipped to gain a ‘Live’ feature similar to Gemini

Google is developing a new feature called "Live for AI Mode," which is expected to enhance user interaction with AI, potentially utilizing Google Lens for a more conversational interface. Recent updates have expanded AI Mode access to all Labs testers in the U.S., introducing visual cards for products and locations. The new feature may include an "End Session" button and a microphone mute option, similar to the existing Gemini Live feature. Since its rollout in April, Google has integrated Lens into AI Mode, allowing users to capture images and ask questions about them. The update aims to provide a more dynamic experience, including a "multisearch" capability that combines images and text. As of May 1, AI Mode has been updated to include a history of previous queries and will soon allow users to access organized information blocks for local establishments, including reviews and operational hours.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Gemini’s rumored automated tasks might borrow from the competition

Google is developing a feature called "Scheduled Actions" for its Gemini app, which will use a card-based interface to manage tasks with status markers like "Completed" and "Paused." This feature aims to automate task management and may integrate elements from Google Tasks and OpenAI's ChatGPT. The introduction of "Scheduled Actions" could change how users handle reminders and tasks on Android, especially as it appears to draw inspiration from OpenAI's similar feature for managing tasks with AI capabilities. The development of this feature is still in early stages, and its final form may change before release.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

AI Mode takes the spotlight in the Google app’s latest revamp

Google Search has introduced AI Mode in its Android app, enhancing the user interface with shortcut icons for voice input and Lens, along with quick access to features like translation and homework assistance. AI Mode is being prioritized, with plans to replace existing shortcuts in the main Search bar with a dedicated icon for this feature. This change is currently in a limited testing phase and aims to streamline the interface by condensing options into three essential features. AI Mode has improved in summarizing complex information into digestible formats, although it may not yet fully replace traditional Google Search for all users.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

Google Removes Assistant Settings from Android App: Here’s What’s Changing

Google is removing direct access to Assistant settings from the Google app on Android devices as part of a strategy to transition users to its AI-powered platform, Gemini. Users will now need to use the Google Home app or system settings to manage Assistant preferences. This change was implemented in Google App version 16.12, where the Google Assistant option was removed from the profile menu settings. Features previously accessible through the Google app, such as routines and voice settings, will now require navigation through the new methods. The rollout of Gemini is occurring in phases, starting with Pixel smartphones.

AppWizard

April 13, 2025

Google app removing Assistant settings on Android

The Google app version 16.12+ has removed the link to "Google Assistant" from the profile menu under Settings, affecting how users access Assistant settings. Users can still manage Assistant settings through the Google Home app or by navigating through System Settings on their mobile device. Some users have also noted that "Gemini" is not present in the Google app settings, which primarily focuses on Google Search functionalities.