This is Google Apps updates roundup number 116. In this episode, I will show you a lot of new exciting features in 15 different Google apps. So, make sure all your apps are up to date and let me show you what's new. Let's start the episode with Google Photos that got some new exciting features. The first change is the updated image preview page. The first thing you will notice here is the photo date and time is now showing at the top. The cast button removed. We still have the favorites button and the ellipses which includes all the features we might need.
Unlike before, these options used to be in the info pane, but now you can access them from this menu. When you take a look at the bottom bar, you see that the share and the edit buttons got new icons. the lens button removed and replaced with a new add to button that allows you to add this photo to an album, archive or loed folder. And finally, the trash button. But what's even more exciting is the new create tab that consolidates all the creation tools under one page. First, it gives you a preview of each feature and how it exactly works. We have the phototo video which is something new to Google Photos. We have collage, highlight video, cinematic photo, and animation.
And under collages, you can immediately select a template from here and then select your photos. And when you scroll even more, you can immediately create a highlight video by simply selecting the people. And then it will take you right away to the editing page. So let's take a look at the most exciting change in this tab, which is called photo to video. This feature converts any photo you have in your gallery into a video. So let's see how it works. When you try the feature for the first time, it will show you a floating card at the bottom showing how the feature works. It converted this still image into a video as shown now in this preview.
And the description says simply choose a photo. Pick a fun prompt to apply and see your photo transform video generation limits apply. And here at the bottom, it says, "This tool uses experimental Gen AI technology, so results may be inaccurate or unexpected. Your use is subject to Google's Gen AI prohibited use policy." So, let's tap on try now and see how it works. So, let's try it on one of the photos of me and my family and see what's going to happen. It will first give you two options at the bottom. Subtle movements or I'm feeling lucky. So, let's try the first option.
Unfortunately, it says that this feature is not yet available in some countries and it didn't allow me to create the video. So, let me try to connect to a VPN in the US and see if it's going to work. Now, I'm connected to another server in the US and let's see if it's going to work this time. Again, it gave me the same error message. This feature is not yet available in some countries. So, let's put this feature aside and continue with the create tab.
The next option we have is collage. And here you can select multiple photos and it will give you the same exact templates we used to have in the previous version. No difference. But if you want to make things easier for you, you can use this carousel which will show you that template before even jumping to the creation process which will make your life a little bit easier. Back again to the top. Then we have the highlight video. It works exactly the same as before.
Cinematic photo. Let's hit create. The cinematic photo also works the same as before. No difference. Moving to animations. I think it also works the same. It just creates a basic animation. Then we have collages that we talked about already. And finally, the highlight video. So, all the features are exactly the same, but they got a quick preview that gives you an idea about how each feature works. But the features themselves work the exact same way as before. It's also worth mentioning that the photo and video tagging now works differently. So, for example, I created this animation and at the top I have a pill says animation. Tapping on it explains how the feature works. Plus, it's suggesting for me to back up this animation now because when you take a look here at my backup settings, you'll see that it's waiting for Wi-Fi.
And that's why it's suggesting for me to back up the photo now if I want to because we no longer have any buttons in the info pane. And here's another example of a slow motion video. It has the same pill at the top and then it explains how this feature works. And when it comes to the add me feature, you will see a redesigned photo selector here at the bottom. When you tap on each one, you see the ellipses next to it. From here, you can keep this, delete the rest, or multi select, which will take you to all three photos. So, you can select all of them and take some actions. This is not a new feature, but it just looks different. And here's one final example for the long exposure feature. And this is how the photo selector looks. Last, but not least, we got another change on the web. The memories preview page got updated and now the memories show in a horizontal carousel. At the top, you see the progress bar. In addition to the pause and mute buttons, at the top left we have the date, while on the right it shows the favorites, share, and more buttons.
To scroll through the memories, you can use the right and left arrows on your keyboard or click on them using your mouse. To go through the photos under each memory, you can click on the edges or use the next and forward buttons. To preview all the photos included under each one, there is a small arrow at the bottom that shows all the photos in a grid. Next, we have the recorder app that got the Material 3 expressive redesign. Starting with the front page, you will see some design tweaks. First, the search bar at the top is now using a fill color and it says search recordings instead of search your recordings.
The two banners after that are smaller than the previous version, same as the font used for the date. While the text written for each note is now bigger and bolder than before. Also, the app is now using adaptive theming and it changes the colors based on your color palette. And when you start recording, you will see even bigger changes. Previously, we used to have three buttons at the bottom, delete, pause, and save. While now, we have only two buttons that are much bigger in comparison. Here is how you can pause and resume the recording. And the delete button is now located at the top right corner. Also, once you stop the recording, it automatically saves your voice recording unlike before. It no longer asks you for the name and location before saving the recording. Also, the time is using a much bigger font and the pill that includes the waveform and the transcript buttons got a different design and everything looks so much bigger.
Now, the playback page also looks totally different. The buttons are much bigger with a different design. Same as the progress bar. The waveform is also bigger and the name is now located outside the waveform container. All the buttons that we used to have here are gone and we only got the favorites and everything else is located under the ellipses. Here you can edit the name.
You can see the date and the status of the backup. You can delete, share, crop and remove and the rest of the options. And when you hit crop and remove, you also get a much bigger editing tools that will make your life a lot easier. And if you want to create a video, you need to tap on share on the newer version to be able to create a video clip. While previously this option used to be in the overflow menu. Before talking about the next app, let me show you the latest wallpapers added to the wallpapers by in-depth tech reviews app. You'll like all of them. They look gorgeous on any smartphone. And you can also download these wallpapers locally on device to apply the wallpaper effects of Android 16 on them. Plus, you have the ability to edit the wallpaper before downloading if you want. So, for example, if I want to change the color, the brightness or anything, I can download the edited version or the original version if I want. You will find Google Play Store download link in the description. And now, let's get back to Google Apps.
Now, let's talk about Quick Share that got a new design and some useful features to show you the new design and features. Let me start by sharing some photos. For reference, here is a side-by-side comparison with the previous version on my Pixel 8 Pro. The first thing you will notice here is the back arrow now has a container around it. We got this new help button that gives you an idea about how to use quick share on Android and Windows.
And the next one gives you an idea about the new receive tab that I'm going to talk about later. Then the quick share text is now bolder and for some reason the Q letter looks weird. I'm not sure if this is how it meant to be or it's a bug. The device build that used to allow you to change the device name now takes you to the quick share settings which was previously accessible only by tapping on the ellipses at the top right corner. Next, we have a new section that will show you the selected files. From here, you can also clear all files and select new ones if you want like this. Then the third section is exactly the same. Here you can see the available devices and the QR code button is now smaller and it's no longer using text.
Now let's talk about the new receive tab. Once you go to it, it will automatically change your visibility to everyone. So you can quickly appear on all other devices. And once you go back to the send tab, it will revert back to the original settings. And when you use the new quick share for the first time, it will show you this floating card giving you more information about the feature. It says here to help others share with you. Your device name is temporarily visible to everyone while the receive screen is open. And then it has some tips. Only your contacts can view your profile image. Accept or decline any request to share. And finally, you can leave the receive screen any time. The next app we have is Files by Google which got the Material 3 expressive redesign. Starting with the homepage, here you will see a lot of new design changes.
First, the recent section is now bigger and it got this new scrolling effect that looks very similar to the one we have in Google Messages. The ellipses are now located at the top right corner in its own container to give more space to the file name. And when you take a look at the buttons, they are now merged together in one pill in the center instead of showing here at the bottom right corner. And finally, the side menu is now a lot narrower. It's also worth noting that the files thumbnails are now more rounded when compared to the previous version. Other than this, all other pages are exactly the same. Next, we have Google contacts. So, let's take a look at the new design.
Starting with the main page. Now all the contacts are separated same as the letters. And when you tap on the search now you can see your recent contacts in a horizontal carousel with the ability to clear all of them. Then when you go to organize or highlights you will see the same design language. Everything is separated as well. And when you choose any of the filters at the top now you see a counter on top of the icon which wasn't the case before. And when you create a new contact, you will see the same calling card feature which I already covered. From here, you can choose a photo for your contact and it will appear in full screen view when you receive a call. If you want to check the full details about this feature, you can check episode 115. Now, let's talk about Gboard. And here I'm going to show you two new changes. The first change is related to the suggestions strip.
Now, when you get any suggestion from the screenshots app, it appears in a pill-shaped container instead of the rounded rectangle. And the same applies to the screenshots. When you take a screenshot, it will also appear in a pill container. While the words are using the same exact design as before. The second change is under settings. Now, the text correction menu is called corrections and suggestions. And here you will find that things are organized differently and make more sense. And when you scroll all the way down from here, you can activate or deactivate the writing tools feature I already talked about in episode 115. Next, Google messages. And here I'm going to show you two new changes. The first change is related to the image viewer. When you open any photo in a group chat, you see this new bouncy animation. Plus, the viewer itself looks different. It has a 3D design. At the bottom, you can react to the image or add your own comment, which also got a new bouncy animation. As you see here at the top, you can download delete with more options under the ellipses.
We got the same viewer under the individual chats as well, but it doesn't give you the same reaction and comments feature we saw in the group chats. And the second change is in the main page. Now, when you multi select conversations, they get highlighted with a new pill-shaped container. And now, let's talk about the family link material 3 expressive redesign. The whole app design and logic got updated. And the first thing you will notice here is the side menu is no longer using the same icon, but now we have a stack representing how many accounts available on the device. Tapping on it will give you access to the rest of the accounts. So you can switch between them and based on your choice the stack gets updated. Then we have the rest of the options in the side menu like adding a child, parent access code, manage family and the rest of the options that we used to have here are now under the profile menu like privacy notice for parents, privacy notice for kids etc. Then we have the main page is now called the screen time instead of highlights and it got a complete revamp.
First at the top you will see the activity uh banner. Tapping on it takes you right away to the chart. So you can check the usage. From here you can filter the apps. You can filter by unlimited time apps. Use the during school time or no filter. And here you can tap on each and every app to adjust some some settings like the app limit and the permissions.
Then we have the device information page. From here you can check the battery if the device is online or not. You can edit the name. You can play a sound. Tapping on activity takes you back to the previous page. Then we have the lock screen settings. So you can choose what you need to do here. Then the app permissions. And this one will show you the list of apps available on the child device. So you can adjust the permissions. Then we have the location sharing and then we have apps from unknown sources if you want to allow this to be installed on the child device or not. You can also edit the date and time or allow the child to edit the date and time only if there is no screen time downtime or app limits set.
So this is in a nutshell the front page and then we have something called time limits. From here you can set daily limit. let's say 2 hours a day. And this is how you can adjust the time. You can make it a weekly schedule and or you can make the adjustments per app from this page. Also, Google added a new feature under the schedules called school time.
You can make a separate school time or a separate schedule for the school time. From here you can choose the time range and then set the schedule per week and what time what type of apps you want to allow all the time even if the school time is activated. And you also have the downtime that you can set daily or weekly. So that's it when it comes to the screen time page. Now let's go to controls.
Previously this page was dedicated for things like the app limits, downtime, etc. But now you can only use it for the content restrictions like Google Play Store. You can restrict some settings on YouTube for your child. And here is how it looks. Then we have something for Google Chrome and web access. And also you get contacts, calls, and text messages. You can block or limit apps. You have some restrictions for Gemini if you want to restrict Gemini or not. same as Google Assistant. And then we have Google Photos.
Then location settings. And finally, you can check the signed in devices using the same Google account. The location page didn't get any new features, but it looks different. Now it supports the Material 3 expressive redesign. Each item is now separated in its own container. The tabs at the top are using a pill-shaped design, and also the menus at the top look different.
The next material free expressive app is Google meet. So let's find out how it looks. Starting with the homepage. The first thing you will notice here is the history items are now separated. The outgoing and the incoming arrows are surrounded with containers. The new button is smaller with a brand new icon. And the app background is now dynamic based on your device colors. And when you tap on any of the contacts, you will see a different design here as well.
First you will see a much bigger pill at the top showing the contact you are currently calling. Then you see your camera preview, your email and phone number are rolling inside this container. And then we have much bigger buttons for video call and voice calls. And when you swipe up, you will see the additional encryption toggle that you can turn on or off. And when you start a meeting, you will see some design tweaks. Starting with the buttons at the top, each one now has its own container. We have the back button, a pill that takes you to the phone settings and info page, and then we have another one to start casting that will show you a redesigned material U card to switch between devices. Then we have a button to change the audio output. And finally, a button to swap the cameras.
At the bottom, you will get the same options that we used to have, but when you tap on the ellipses, you will see much bigger buttons in this area. Next, the Google TV app. And here I'm going to show you the Material 3 expressive redesign. And one new feature. The first change is once you open the app, it automatically connects the TV remote to your most recent Google TV, which saves you a lot of time. Previously, I used to connect the TV remote every time I open the app, but now it works immediately, which is a very nice change. And now, let's talk about the design. First, the search button is now surrounded with a container, same as all other buttons at the top when you open any listing.
Plus, they dynamically change based on your device theme. When you take a look here at this area, you'll notice that the buttons are also dynamically changing the color based on your device theme. And we got a brand new button here called watch on phone. When you scroll down a bit, you will see these shortcut buttons that used to be at the top previously. And all other parts of the app dynamically change based on your device theme as well. And finally, the TV remote itself got redesigned. At the top, all the buttons are now separated. The pill in the center is now using a green color, which will allow you to switch between devices. And then we have a drop-own arrow that replaces the ellipses that we used to have at the top right corner. From here you can select device disconnect switch between swipe control and D-pad.
Then we have the home button is bigger with an oval shape instead of the circular design and the Google Assistant button replaced with a microphone icon. And finally the volume controls are now smaller. The next material 3 expressive app is Google Drive. So let's see how it looks. When you open the app, the first thing you'll notice is the items are now separated to match all the material 3 expressive apps.
Same as the top header with the side menu and the profile menu separated from the search. And this is how it animates when you tap on it. But the search animation is broken and has a small delay at the end. Tapping on the plus button will expand the available options in a new animation as well with the same pill-shaped design. When you go inside any of the documents, you will see the same design language everywhere. The app widgets also got redesigned and the buttons at the top are now smaller and using an oval shape instead of the rounded squares like before.
And that matches the redesigned Google calendar widget. When it comes to the other one, it also looks different. And this is how it looks in the circular design. This is the grid and this is the smallest size. Next, we have the Pixel Weather app with the Material 3 Expressive redesign. The app looks pretty much the same, but there are some minor tweaks here and there. Starting with the top portion, now the weather icon is located next to the weather condition instead of showing next to the temperature and it got replaced with the degree sign. When you take a look at the hourly forecast, you will see that the icon is now slightly different.
And the current hour is no longer highlighted with a material U shape, but it has a white color and the rest of the options are grayed out. When you go to the 10day forecast, you will see here that the currently highlighted item is using an outline instead of changing the color like before. And Google also removed the forward slash between the high and low temperature that used to be in the previous version.
And the last change you will see is in the weather page. Here you can add more locations. The search button is now located at the bottom right corner instead of the center and the cards are so much bigger. Plus they now show you the high and low temperatures as well which wasn't the case before. Now let's talk about the new design changes when it comes to the Pixel Watch. Starting with the Pixel Watch companion app, it also got the Material 3 expressive redesign and now all the items are separated. In contrast, when you go inside any of the menus, they look exactly the same as before.
So, there is some work needs to be done. But when it comes to the tiles, most of them got updated to the new design. So, let me show you how they look on the Pixel Watch. I already talked about some of them in my previous episodes, like Google Maps, Gemini, and Calendar. And here's the sleep tile which is also got updated with the same curved button that matches the watch design. Unfortunately, I don't have enough data to show you how it looks. Then we have the quick start tile. It looks different as well. Here's the heart rate monitor. The graph is showing inside a pill and your current ppm is showing at the bottom. Then we have the steps type. And the last app we're going to talk about in this video is the new My Pixel app that replaces Pixel Tips and it got the Pixel 10 in blue color as an app icon. When you open it, you will immediately notice that it supports the Material 3 expressive design language with bigger buttons and containers. Then we have multiple sections like get started, make the most of your Pixel, explore more tips, and finally some of the best phones forever episodes showing right here.
So that's pretty much it for today. These are all the new features I wanted to show you in Google Apps. And if you spotted any new feature and you want to tell me about it, please reach me out on social media to include in my future episodes. But for now, thanks so much for watching and see you in the next.
