Google Meet Archives

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Many Google apps could pick up a fresh gradient icon redesign

Google is redesigning its app icons to adopt a more vibrant and gradient-centric aesthetic, moving away from its traditional minimalist style. Key changes include: - Gmail will retain its 'M' envelope shape but will feature a predominantly red hue with accents of yellow, green, and blue. - Google Drive will eliminate red and introduce a rounded triangle filled with green, yellow, and blue. - Google Docs will keep its vertical paper motif. - Google Sheets and Slides will transition to a landscape orientation. - Google Calendar will replace its four-color container with a blue-centric flip-style icon. - Google Meet will adopt a bold yellow hue. - Google Chat will feature a new green, pill-shaped bubble. - Google Keep will highlight a light bulb icon without a background page. - Google Tasks will maintain a prominent checkmark within a button-like shape. - Google Voice will have a more rounded phone icon, keeping its light green color. These updates have not yet been rolled out, and no server-side updates or beta versions are currently available.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

Gmail, Drive, and other Google apps are getting a major icon redesign

Google is redesigning the icons for its Workspace applications, including Gmail, Drive, and Calendar, adopting a gradient style and moving away from the strict use of all four Google brand colors. The new icons feature more focused color themes, with notable changes in Calendar, which is shifting to a blue-dominant palette, and Gmail, which will maintain its 'M' envelope shape but with a vibrant gradient. Google Meet is also being visually revamped with a brighter yellow theme. The new icons have not yet started rolling out to users.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

You’ll soon be able to use Google Meet’s note-taking tool during in-person meetings

Google Meet's AI-powered note-taking feature, "Take Notes For Me," launched in 2024, has gained over 110 million users in a month. It will soon be available for various meeting types, including in-person and on platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. The feature provides comprehensive summaries and detailed notes, accessible via the Google Meet home screen. It compiles notes and action items into a Google Doc. Google will announce this expansion at Cloud Next ‘26, which runs until April 24, along with other features.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

5 Android Auto settings I always change on any new Android phone

Android Auto has become a popular tool for drivers, supporting both wired and wireless connections in vehicles. Google regularly updates the platform, adding features like Google Meet support. Users can enhance their experience by adjusting settings, such as disabling auto-play for music when connecting, managing notifications from apps like YouTube Music and Spotify, preventing Android Auto from starting automatically, setting up shortcuts for Google Assistant commands, and enabling quick controls for music playback from the taskbar.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Android Auto gets useful new Google app Apple CarPlay drivers have already been enjoying

Android Auto has integrated support for Google Meet, allowing drivers to engage in voice calls while driving. The implementation prioritizes safety by restricting access to video calls, polls, and hand-raising features. The rollout of this feature is phased, with some users in the UK experiencing delays. Additionally, Android Auto has introduced Gemini, which enhances user experience with advanced conversational capabilities. Despite some complaints about Google Assistant's usability, the transition to Gemini is seen as a positive development for users.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Google Meet lands on Android Auto, but there’s a catch

Google Meet has launched an audio-only version for Android Auto, prioritizing driver safety by allowing meetings without video. The app features a user-friendly interface with Scheduled and History tabs for easy access to meetings. However, it currently lacks complete support for work profiles, meaning users cannot access work schedules or meeting history from the car. The design does not include a virtual green room or pre-call screen, and users join meetings immediately upon tapping. While the audio-only format aims to enhance productivity, it raises concerns about work-life balance and may lead to missed information during discussions. Users may join smaller meetings with microphones activated, and larger calls may have users muted by default. For more complex tasks, users are advised to pull over and use their phones. The rollout of this feature is happening in stages.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

France to Ditch Microsoft Windows as Europe’s War on American Tech Rages On

France has announced its intention to transition some of its government systems from Windows to Linux to reduce reliance on American technology. The initial phase will involve machines used by the Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM), although a timeline for the transition has not been established. French Minister David Amiel stated that this move is part of a broader effort to regain control of digital sovereignty. Earlier this year, France banned public officials from using American videoconferencing platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Teams. The European Commission is drafting legislation to promote tech sovereignty, but there are concerns about the security implications of moving away from American technology. Transitioning to Linux will require French government employees to adapt to open-source software, potentially replacing Microsoft Office 365 with alternatives like LibreOffice.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Apple CarPlay just got a huge upgrade before Android Auto

Google has launched its new Google Meet feature for vehicles on Apple CarPlay before releasing it on Android Auto. The feature allows users to join audio calls while driving, with the camera disabled and no access to incoming video content. Users can join meetings, view schedules, and participate in audio-only calls, but interactive features like hand raises and polls are not supported. Google has confirmed that a version for Android Auto is forthcoming, but no specific timeline has been provided.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

Connected, Creative, Expanded: Android XR’s Next Wave of Innovation Enhances the Galaxy XR Experience

Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy XR in October, which operates on the new Android XR platform co-created with Google and Qualcomm. The device features multimodal AI for seamless interactions through voice, vision, and gesture, and offers full immersion capabilities. The latest update to the Android XR platform includes three significant features: PC Connect, Likeness, and Travel Mode. PC Connect allows users to integrate applications or their entire computer desktop into the immersive view of the Galaxy XR, enhancing productivity and entertainment. Likeness enables users to customize their appearance during video calls on platforms like Google Meet, enhancing the sense of presence. Travel Mode allows users to create personal cinema or workspace experiences while on the go, with a stable view and a portable Travel Case. These features will roll out to users starting December 8 in the United States and Korea.

AppWizard

December 5, 2025

Banned and blocked. Russia says good-bye to messaging apps

Russia's censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, has banned several popular communication platforms, including Snapchat, WhatsApp, and FaceTime, citing their use in organizing terrorist acts, recruiting criminals, and committing fraud. The ban on WhatsApp, a widely used messaging app in Russia, is expected to have significant implications. This decision follows a pattern of increasing digital restrictions, with other services such as Facebook, Instagram, Signal, Viber, and Google Meet also being blocked. Russian authorities are promoting a national messaging app called Max, which is set to become mandatory in public sectors by January 1, 2026. Max will require full access to users' devices and will collect telemetry and metadata, raising privacy concerns due to its integration with government systems.