Google Calendar Archives

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

5 habit trackers on Android that can reveal your patterns – and motivate you to change

Habits can influence productivity and well-being, and habit trackers help visualize progress and foster accountability. 1. Loop Habit Tracker is a free, open-source app with a user-friendly interface, habit scores, detailed charts, flexible scheduling, reminders, and offline operation. It is ad-free and available on the Google Play Store. 2. Daylio is a journaling app that integrates habit and mood tracking, allowing users to monitor fitness activities and daily routines. It is free and available on the Google Play Store. 3. Fabulous Daily Routine Planner features an engaging interface with audio and animations, promoting healthy habits and routines. It offers a seven-day free trial, with an annual subscription priced at .99, and is available on the Google Play Store. 4. Clockify is primarily a time tracker that also provides habit tracking capabilities, allowing users to generate reports and integrate with Google Calendar. It is free and available on the Google Play Store, with a desktop version. 5. Habitify allows users to input habits, plan routines, set reminders, and visualize progress. It emphasizes consistency and offers a free version with limitations and an in-app subscription priced at .99 per month for unlimited features. It is available on the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Google Calendar is getting closer to its Material 3 Expressive makeover (APK teardown)

Google is updating its Calendar app by integrating elements from the Material 3 Expressive design language, with a full rollout expected with Android 16. Recent changes in version 2025.19.0-757507108-release include: - Rounded corners for a softer interface. - Thicker lines separating days for better visibility. - The introduction of the Google Sans Flex font. - Full names of the days of the week instead of single-letter abbreviations. - A redesigned floating action button (FAB) that now includes 'Birthday' as an option and features text within the button itself. These updates aim to enhance the user experience across Android and Wear OS platforms.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

The Gemini app is becoming more like NotebookLM in April’s Workspace feature drop

In the April 2025 Workspace feature drop, Google introduced new AI tools across Gemini, Gmail, Slides, and Chat. Gemini gained two features similar to NotebookLM: Canvas and Audio Overviews. Gmail can now automatically detect event invites in emails and prompt users to add them to their Calendar with one click. Additionally, Gmail will offer Contextual Smart Replies for efficient communication. Google Slides received a new design sidebar for easier presentation creation, allowing users to explore templates and add elements without leaving their current slide. For enterprise users, a board tab in Chat will enable teams to pin messages, files, and links, and a new HubSpot app for Google Chat will enhance workflow efficiency. These features are now widely accessible as part of the April 2025 update.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

Gemini app rolling out Google Photos integration on Android

Google is rolling out an integration of its Photos app with the Gemini application for Android users, allowing seamless access to backed-up images and videos. The integration includes two main components: one for locating images and videos using criteria such as facial recognition, location, date, keywords, and current conversations, and another for requesting details related to photos. Users can issue specific prompts to find their photos and ask for information about past events. To activate the feature, users must navigate to the Gemini app and select Google Photos from the profile menu. The rollout is currently limited to a select group of invited users on Android devices in the United States.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

How do you use Android app shortcuts?

App shortcuts were introduced with Android 7.1 in October 2016 and have seen user interface changes while retaining their functionality. They provide quick access to specific tasks within applications. Commonly used app shortcuts include Chrome's New Tab, Play Store's My apps, Gmail account shortcuts, Fitbit's Log Water, Files by Google: Downloads, Google Calendar: New task, Google Keep: New text note, Google Maps: Home and Work, and Pixel Camera: Take a selfie and Take a video. Users can access shortcuts by long-pressing application icons rather than cluttering their homescreen. Improvements suggested include the ability to hide unused shortcuts, a more compact presentation, and a layout without text labels for easier one-handed use. There are currently limitations on the number of shortcuts per app, and some users find the long-press action on Pixel Launcher and Samsung’s One UI distracting.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Google may soon give you more control over how your Calendar data is shared (APK teardown)

Android has long enforced permissions for applications accessing calendar data, and Google Calendar is enhancing user control over data sharing. A recent APK teardown indicates that Google is developing a new toggle in Calendar settings to allow users to control whether their Google Calendar data is shared with other applications. When this option is disabled, third-party calendar apps cannot access Google Calendar entries. Additionally, Google Calendar is experimenting with a new font called Google Sans Flex, which features heavier lines with rounded ends.

AppWizard

March 11, 2025

Google’s Pixel Weather app adds clarity to forecast with day & date labels

The Pixel Weather app has been updated to version 1.0.20250127.729684887.release, enhancing its 10-day forecast feature by displaying both the days of the week and the corresponding month and date. This change aims to help users keep track of the calendar more easily.

AppWizard

February 2, 2025

I got tired of Google Calendar’s basic features, so I switched to this alternative app

Google Calendar has limitations that hinder productivity, such as difficulties in managing events across multiple accounts and a lack of advanced features like natural language processing for event entry. Alternatives like Business Calendar 2 offer robust features, including syncing across multiple Google accounts and natural language input. DigiCal combines calendar functionality with weather data but lacks natural language support. Notion Calendar provides an attractive user interface but has limited functionality. For users wanting enhanced widgets for Google Calendar, options like Calendar Widget by Home Agenda and Event Flow Widget are available. Business Calendar 2 is highlighted as the best alternative for its extensive capabilities.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

7 Android widgets to make your phone or tablet more useful

Widgets on Android devices enhance the home screen by providing quick access to information and functionalities from apps. - Google Calendar: Allows users to view the entire month or daily events, with easy event addition through a + button. Separate widgets are needed for multiple calendars. - Email Widget: Displays incoming messages and enables quick email composition. It can be used with Gmail or other email apps like Thunderbird. - Keep Notes: Offers options for scrolling through existing notes or quickly creating new notes via text, voice, or images. Widget size can be adjusted for tablets or phones. - Arc Search: Enables users to initiate searches directly through Arc Search instead of the Google search bar. - Battery Widget: Provides real-time updates on charge levels for connected devices, including smartwatches and headphones. - Pixel Weather: Exclusive to Pixel devices, it presents weather information in an accessible format, allowing quick checks without switching apps. - Spotify: Grants access to playlists and current tracks, allowing users to launch playlists and control playback easily. To add a widget, long-press on a blank area of the home screen, select Widgets, browse for the desired widget, and drag it onto the screen. Widgets can be resized and repositioned.

AppWizard

December 12, 2024

Top Android Apps to Help You Stay Festive & Organized

The December holidays can be hectic, requiring organization and thoughtful planning. TCL offers Android apps to help manage tasks during this time. To stay organized, apps like Todoist, Any.do, and Google Calendar can assist in managing events and gift procurement. For personalized gift ideas, generative AI applications like Claude or ChatGPT can provide tailored suggestions based on recipient details. AI-driven platforms such as Canva and Picsart allow users to create personalized cards and invitations. Recipe recommendation apps like Yummly and Tasty help craft menus catering to diverse tastes. Music streaming services like Spotify and YouTube Music offer AI-curated holiday playlists, while platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video provide personalized movie recommendations. For capturing memories, AI-enhanced photography and video editing apps like Remini and Lightroom can improve visuals, and CapCut can assist in creating holiday videos. To maintain health and wellness, MyFitnessPal tracks eating habits, and the Calm app offers meditation and sleep sessions.