How-To Geek - Google

Google Maps Gains Real-Time Weather Data on Android

Andrew Heinzman — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 19:27:01 GMT

The Google Maps app can now display real-time weather data on Android. When searching for a location in Google Maps, a small icon under your search bar will show the location's current temperature and air quality index. Tapping the weather icon reveals additional information, including a six-hour forecast and a "feels like" value.

You Can Now Generate AI Images in Google Search

Andrew Heinzman — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 18:42:32 GMT

Google's Search Generative Experience (SGA) can now create AI images based on Google Search queries. This is very similar to Bing's image-generating functionality—simply enter a prompt like "draw a chicken in the style of Van Gogh" into Google Search, and you'll be met with four AI-generated images. To enjoy this feature, you must opt into SGA through Search Labs.

Google Accounts Now Use Passkeys by Default

Andrew Heinzman — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:02:53 GMT

Passkeys are now the default sign-in option for all personal Google accounts. This should greatly increase user security, as passkeys can't be brute-forced and are resistant to phishing or leaks. But the primary benefit is improved convenience—you can log into Google without memorizing a password or going through a two-step verification process. Google will ask you to create a passkey the next time you log into your account, though you can continue using traditional passwords if that's what you'd prefer.

How to Turn on Dark Mode in Google Docs

Pranay Parab — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 14:31:30 GMT

Google Docs defaults to a light theme in most cases, but there's an easy way to enable dark mode on Android, iPhone, iPad, and even in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge while writing on your computer. We'll show you how.

How to Convert an Excel Sheet to Google Sheets

Mahesh Makvana — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 13:30:34 GMT

Want to be able to work on your spreadsheets on the web? If so, convert all your Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to Google Sheets. After you complete this simple process, other people can edit your spreadsheets and you can use Sheets-exclusive functions. Here's how.

How to Scan and Translate a Picture in Google Translate

Mahesh Makvana — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 12:30:33 GMT

With the Google Translate app, you can scan and translate pictures to and from any of Google's supported languages. With a mobile device, you can scan something in real-time or pick an image from your gallery. Here's how.

How to Make a Direct Download Link for Google Drive Files

Mahesh Makvana — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 15:00:32 GMT

We've all come across that unwanted web page that opens when you click a Google Drive file link. Luckily, with a workaround, you can make a direct download link for your files and bypass that web page. We'll show you how.

Google Bard AI Conversations Are Showing Up in Google Search

Andrew Heinzman — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:56:16 GMT

Did you know that you can share Google Bard conversations with friends, family, and coworkers? Well, if you're lucky, this is your first time hearing of Bard's sharing feature. It seems that Google Search is unintentionally indexing shared Bard conversations, including conversations that are clearly supposed to be private. We've reached out to Google for a comment on this situation, and we've asked if indexed conversations are an intentional "feature."

Gmail’s Basic View Is Going Away

Andrew Heinzman — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 18:34:08 GMT

According to a support document, Google will discontinue Gmail's Basic HTML view in January 2024. Everyone who currently uses the Basic HTML mode will be forced to adopt the Standard view. This is a disappointing change of pace, as Basic HTML mode provided a lightweight and old-school design that some users preferred. And, unlike the standard Gmail interface, Basic HTML mode always played nice with screen readers and other accessibility tools.

How to Add Captions to Images in Google Docs

Sandy Writtenhouse — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:30:31 GMT

It's easy to add an image to your document in Google Docs, but including a caption is another story. Until Google adds a caption feature to Docs, here are a few ways you can create and add captions to your photos.

How to Turn Off the "Sign in with Google" Prompt on Websites

Mahesh Makvana — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 13:01:27 GMT

Certain websites show a "Sign in with Google" prompt to help you quickly sign in to that website. If you're sick of this prompt, there's a way to disable it from your Google account's settings menu. Here's how.

Google Chrome Will Finally Match Your Windows Accent Color

Andrew Heinzman — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:05:02 GMT

We all want Microsoft to bring some consistency to Windows theming and design language. But we're not gonna get it from Microsoft—instead, it's coming from Google. The latest Chrome Canary build allows you to match your browser theme to your Windows accent color. All you need to do is flip the new "follow device colors" toggle in the Customize Chrome panel. Presumably, this feature will trickle down to mainline Chrome builds within the next few months.

New Android Feature Drop Includes Redesigned Google Assistant Widget

Andrew Heinzman — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:01:28 GMT

Google just revealed the latest Android Feature Drop. While it isn't as robust as the upcoming Android 14 update, it contains plenty of useful new features, including an upgraded Assistant At a Glance widget for non-Pixel users. These improvements should arrive on your Android phone within the coming weeks or months, depending on how quickly your smartphone's manufacturer delivers firmware updates.

How to Leave a Google Review

Marshall Gunnell — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 15:30:28 GMT

Like Yelp, Google lets you leave reviews, and everyone can see them right on Google Maps. You can review almost any location, from a local business to a hiking trail or historical landmark. All you need is a Google account.

The Chrome Web Store Has a New Look

Arol Wright — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:35:38 GMT

When it comes to Chrome, Google has never been one to change things a lot. It's a browser used by hundreds of millions around the world, and for the most part, the company has taken the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach. The Chrome Web Store has looked the same for several years now, and the core layout hasn't changed for even longer. Now, though, Google is finally redesigning the Chrome Web Store, and the new experience looks quite a bit different.

Google's Pixel 8 Event Now Has a Date

Cory Gunther — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 17:53:26 GMT

One day after Apple announced its iPhone 15 launch event, Google decided to do the same. The search giant is officially sending out invites where it'll unveil the new Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, likely a Pixel Watch 2, and more at an event on October 4th, 2023.

Google’s Pixel Pass Subscription Service Is Now Dead

Cory Gunther — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 20:40:35 GMT

Following the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launch in 2021, Google announced a Pixel Pass subscription service that bundles most of its services and a new phone under one fee. However, it wasn't all that popular, and with only a few weeks before its Pixel 8 arrives, Google has quietly discontinued the Pixel Pass.

Google Photos Update Will Help You Hide Private Pictures

Andrew Heinzman — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 15:00:27 GMT

Back in 2021, Google Photos introduced "Locked Folder," a feature that allows you to hide images behind a password or biometric verification. But Locked Folder has two major limitations — it only works on Android, and it doesn't support cloud backups. That's changing today, as Google announces Locked Folder support for iOS, plus cloud backups for locked photos. (You still have the option to keep locked photos out of the cloud, of course.)

Google Flights Unveils Three Ways to Help You Save Money

Cory Gunther — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:16:03 GMT

If you've never used Google Flights, you're missing out. While the service already does a great job at finding the best deal or telling you if you're paying too much, Google's latest update has three new features to make flying more affordable. Plus, now goes into greater detail about the best time to book a flight.

Google Keep Finally Has Rich Text Formatting

Arol Wright — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 14:20:43 GMT

Google Keep is much more than a simple mobile notes app. Sure, it lets you take notes, but it also supports checklists, grocery shopping lists, and other types of reminders and notes. You can also color-code notes, label notes, share them with other users, and a lot more. Now, it's getting yet another great feature — rich text formatting.

Google Assistant Is Leaving Wear OS 2 Smartwatches

Andrew Heinzman — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 19:22:04 GMT

The transition to Wear OS 3 was a mess, to say the least. But it's not over. Google is now depreciating support for Google Assistant on Wear OS 2 smartwatches. Every Wear OS device that launched before the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is affected by this change, including relatively new products like the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 and Fossil Gen 5. Presumably, Google is trying to shed some dead weight, as Google Assistant lacked some core features on Wear OS 2 and never really worked well on the platform.

YouTube Music's New "Samples" Will Help You Find New Songs

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 18:00:00 GMT

TikTok has been such a runaway success that many other apps have implemented similar short-form videos, from Instagram Reels to YouTube Shorts. Google is now experimenting with them in YouTube Music, the company's music streaming service, with the introduction of "Samples."

Google Chrome 116 Arrives With One-Time Permissions

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:00:07 GMT

Google released Chrome 115 last month, which finally flipped the on switch for the company's controversial replacement for third-party tracking cookies: the "Privacy Sandbox." Chrome 116 will start rolling out today, complete with an updated permissions system and a few new APIs for web apps.

Google Pixel Is No Longer an “Enthusiast” Phone, Thanks to Skyrocketing Sales

Andrew Heinzman — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 16:39:04 GMT

Historically speaking, Google's smartphones have never been all that popular. The Google Pixel (and its predecessor, the Nexus) have always been described as "enthusiast" phones—they enjoy plenty of critical acclaim, but they hardly make a dent in the larger smartphone market. Now, the tides are beginning to change. Google Pixel is currently the number three Android brand in North America, and oddly, it's the best-selling Android brand in Japan.

How to Import a Word Document into Google Docs

Brady Gavin — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 15:00:00 GMT

Someone send you a Word document, but you don't have Word? Giving up on Word and making the change to Google Docs? No problem; Google Docs lets you easily import Word documents. And while it might not support some of the more advanced features and formatting of some Word documents, it works pretty well.

Android 14 Is Almost Here, Beta 5 Now Available

Corbin Davenport — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 20:46:07 GMT

Android 14 is the next major release for Google's mobile operating system, and there have already been four public betas and several developer previews. Google is now rolling out Android 14 Beta 5 to testers, and it's the final milestone before Android 14 is ready for the masses.

Google Will Help Delete Your Personal Data From the Web

Corbin Davenport — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:08:14 GMT

It's never a great feeling when you discover your home address, phone number, or private email address somewhere on a public site. It's especially bad when that information is public and you never find out. Google already indexes countless webpages every single day, and now the company is rolling out new privacy tools that will let you know if a site is found with your information.

Google Chrome is Ditching the Downloads Bar

Corbin Davenport — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:21:46 GMT

Google Chrome has displayed active and completed downloads at the bottom of the screen for years, even as other browsers hide them behind a button or other menu. That's now changing, as Google is replacing the downloads bar with a new button and menu that is easier to use and more customizable.

YouTube Now Testing AI-Generated Video Summaries

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:56:17 GMT

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Bing Chat are often wrong or inaccurate, but one area where they are usually helpful is condensing down text into short summaries. Google is now experimenting with that ability on YouTube, where it will use AI to automatically generate summaries of videos.

How to Migrate Your Google Account to a New One

Jason Fitzpatrick — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 15:00:00 GMT

Whether you've outgrown your college email address and you want a professional one, or you want to change your firstname.maiden account to firstname.marriedname one, we've got you covered with a start-to-finish Google migration guide.

Fixed: Cannot Download Files From Google Drive

Mahesh Makvana — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 12:00:25 GMT

Having trouble downloading files from Google Drive? There are many reasons your download fails. In most cases, you can resolve your problem by changing a few things here and there on your device. We'll show you how to do that so you can download your files successfully.

How to Reverse Image Search With Google Images

Brady Gavin — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:00:00 GMT

Google Image Search is a great way to find images that are similar to one you already have or to help you track down the original source of a photo. We'll show you how to do a reverse image search.

Google Play Games on PC Is Now Better Than Ever

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 18:43:37 GMT

Google's solution for playing Android games on Windows computers, Google Play Games for PC, entered public beta last year in five countries. Today, the beta is expanding to even more regions and computers, and there are a few new features to enjoy.

Google Is Dropping Play Services for Old Android Phones & Tablets

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:18:42 GMT

Android phones and tablets can remain functional for a long time, even after official OS and security updates have ended. That's partially thanks to Google Play Services, which powers the Play Store and some other system features, and can be updated independently of the operating system. However, Google is now ending Play Services on Android 4.4 KitKat, marking an official end to any support for that version.

Google Chrome 115 Is Here, but You Might Not Like It

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 14:47:58 GMT

Google released Chrome 114 at the end of May, complete with a new Reading Mode and a few new features for websites. Chrome 115 will start rolling out later today with the long-awaited replacement for tracking cookies, but not everyone is on board.

7 Awesome Google Drive Features You May Not Know About

Sandy Writtenhouse — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 17:30:00 GMT

Many people take Google Drive for granted. You store files there and go get them when you need them. But there's more to Google Drive than meets the eye. Here are some of those useful features you may have missed.

Google Docs Has a New Way to Vote in Documents

Arol Wright — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:48:36 GMT

For being a free-to-use tool, Google Docs actually have a very wide range of features. It's one of the best online collaboration tools out there. And now, it's getting even better, with the addition of a new smart chip that'll help you collect thoughts from others.

Google Docs Now Integrates Better With Non-Google Services

Arol Wright — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 14:56:38 GMT

Google Docs has become one of the best tools for online collaboration and, in general, for all kinds of word processing needs. And the fact that it's online-first allows for integration with many other third-party services. That's exactly what Google is doing with smart chips for third-party apps.

Google Drive and Docs Just Got an Upgrade on Android Devices

Corbin Davenport — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 10:35:56 GMT

The mobile apps for Google Drive and Docs have always lagged behind the desktop web app in features. Thankfully, two significant updates are rolling out to the Android apps, which are especially helpful on devices with large screens.

What Is Google Lens, and How Do You Use It?

Joe Fedewa — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 09:00:21 GMT

You've probably seen the colorful camera icon in the Google Search bar or the Google app. It's an unassuming shortcut that leads to a variety of impressive abilities. This is Google Lens, and it's a Google app you should know.

10 Google Translate Features You Should Be Using

Joe Fedewa — Mon, 29 May 2023 08:00:58 GMT

Google has a large catalog of products, but one of the most practical tools is Google Translate. Using an app to communicate between different languages feels like the future, and there's more to Translate that you might not know about.

How to Sync Your Desktop PC with Google Drive (and Google Photos)

Nick Lewis — Fri, 26 May 2023 18:44:00 GMT

Google has been doing its part to make sure everyone has a backup of important data, and it even offers a desktop client for Google Drive. Here's everything you need to know about how to set up Google Drive for Desktop on your PC.

Why You Should Be Using Google Lens: 7 Awesome Uses

Joe Fedewa — Thu, 25 May 2023 07:00:23 GMT

Google Lens is one of the company's most powerful tools, but it doesn't get much attention. It's available pretty much anywhere you can access Google---including iPhone, Android, and the web. We'll show you a few cool reasons to use it.

Google Docs Is Adding Custom "Building Blocks"

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 16 May 2023 16:54:52 GMT

Google Docs is constantly changing, with new features and improvements. There's a new feature on the way that might make managing templates and copying documents easier: building blocks.

Your Old Google Account Could Be Deleted Soon

Arol Wright — Tue, 16 May 2023 15:05:22 GMT

Ever created a throwaway Google account and never used it again? Did you leave the Google ecosystem to find greener pastures elsewhere? If you stopped using a Google account for whatever reason, you should know that Google is now planning to delete it sooner than later.

Google Docs Will Let You Hide Parts of Your Document

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 16 May 2023 11:34:41 GMT

You've probably seen websites or applications that hide blocks of content in collapsible sections, which can make the overall structure more readable at a glance. Google is now bringing that feature to Docs.

10 Google Assistant Features You Should Be Using

Joe Fedewa — Sat, 13 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Google Assistant is absolutely packed to the brim with features, and it integrates with many other apps and services. If you use Google Assistant on your phone or Nest smart speakers, you're probably not aware of everything it can do.

You Can Now Join the Waitlist for Google's AI Web Search

Corbin Davenport — Fri, 12 May 2023 10:26:07 GMT

Google revealed its concept for web searches with generative AI responses earlier this week, at Google I/O. Here's how you can try it out when it's available.

You Can Now Buy a .zip, .foo, or .dad Domain From Google

Arol Wright — Wed, 03 May 2023 17:11:46 GMT

There are dozens and dozens of top-level domains, or TLDs for short, serving as alternatives for overcrowded options like .com and .net. Google is now accepting registrations for more TLDs, including .dad and .phd.

Google Accounts Can Now Use Passkeys Instead of Passwords

Corbin Davenport — Wed, 03 May 2023 11:10:59 GMT

Google, Apple, Microsoft, and other companies have been building Passkeys as a replacement for passwords, but support is still limited. That's changing in a big way today, as you can now use them with Google accounts.

Google Meet Can Now Stream Your Camera in 1080p

Corbin Davenport — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 11:09:10 GMT

Google Meet (formerly Duo, Hangouts, and other names) is one of the most popular video call services, but camera quality has been capped at 720p. That's finally changing.

Can't Find the Right Menu? Google Docs Now Has a Search Bar

Arol Wright — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 12:00:32 GMT

Google Workspace tools such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides are great, and they've improved a lot over the past years. Still, it can be occasionally hard to navigate or find the right option. Now, with a search bar, this is finally getting better.

How to Turn Off Google Assistant (and "Hey Google")

Joe Fedewa — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 12:00:38 GMT

Google Assistant is available on a variety of devices, including smart speakers and Android phones. Not everyone loves Google's digital helper or the always-listening "Hey Google" and "OK Google" hot words. We'll show you how to turn off Google Assistant.

How to Remove Watermarks From PDFs

Mahesh Makvana — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 08:00:19 GMT

Have a PDF with a pesky watermark getting in your way? Deleting watermarks from your PDF files isn't as difficult as you may think. You can use common tools you probably already have and use on your computer. Here are your options.

Google+ Will Come to a Final End on July 5, 2023

Corbin Davenport — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 10:51:32 GMT

Google+ was Google's attempt at a social network that had a few interesting ideas, but ultimately wasn't popular enough to keep around. Google+ has continued to live on in a slightly different form, but that will end soon.

Android 14 Beta 1 Has a New Share Menu and Better Gestures

Corbin Davenport — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 13:00:17 GMT

The Android operating system, which powers devices like the Galaxy S23, is updated on a yearly basis. The first general beta release for this year's update, Android 14, is now available.

Google Drive Reverses Course on New Hidden File Limit

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:07:00 GMT

Google has built its cloud storage systems to handle your entire digital life, including all your photos, videos, emails, and other files. However, there's now a limit to the number of individual files you can keep in Google Drive.

How to Find and Delete Your Google Assistant Voice History

Mahesh Makvana — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 12:00:50 GMT

Whether you're privacy-conscious, or you just don't want Google keeping a history of your voice conversations with its Assistant, it's easy to delete your voice data from Google. Here's how to do just that on both your desktop and mobile.

Google Docs Will Help You Organize Long Documents

Arol Wright — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 11:12:32 GMT

Perhaps one of the more annoying parts of writing a document, especially if it's a long one (like an essay) is indexing everything you wrote as a table of contents. Thankfully, Google Docs is making that much easier.

Fitbit Trackers Now Get More Features for Free

Arol Wright — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 13:37:27 GMT

Google's Fitbit products are great, but many of its best features are locked behind a paywall. Still, Google is slowly but surely rolling them out to everyone. The latest feature to roll out to free users is an expansion of the Health Metrics Dashboard, which will now show more key info about you.

Google One Now Includes a VPN on All Plans

Corbin Davenport — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 12:00:47 GMT

Google has offered a basic VPN service with some of its Google One plans for a while. The feature is now opening up to all people with a Google One plan, starting at $1.99 per month.

The Date Is Set for Google I/O 2023

Arol Wright — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:40:37 GMT

Google's main conference for new products and developer news, which is held once a year, is back for another round in 2023. The company has announced when it's going to hold its next big event in May, as usual, so mark your calendars.

How to Enable Dark Mode on Google Calendar (Even the Website)

Mahesh Makvana — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 12:00:13 GMT

Turning on dark mode in Google Calendar's Android and iPhone apps is a built-in option, but it isn't so simple on the Google Calendar website. We have some workarounds, though, so you can use dark mode on Google Calendar on any platform.

Google Docs Has a New Design to Match Gmail

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 11:38:35 GMT

Google is constantly updating its online suite of productivity apps, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. Those services will soon have a new design to match the recent Gmail update.

Google Docs Is Getting Even Smarter Suggestions

Arol Wright — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 17:31:54 GMT

If you've gotten the hang of smart chips and smart canvas features in Google Docs, they can truly be a gamechanger. They integrate your document with other Google services, let you pull data more easily, and make your document feel more alive. Now, we're getting even more of them.

The Google Pixel 7's Magic Eraser Is Coming to Everyone (Who Pays Up)

Corbin Davenport — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 12:00:19 GMT

Google's smartphones have a few unique AI-powered features, like the "Magic Eraser" tool that can remove objects from a photo in one tap. Now, you don't need a Pixel to try it out... but you do still have to pay up.

Contacts Are Getting Better in Gmail

Arol Wright — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 11:08:00 GMT

Gmail might just be an email service for some, but it also functions as the centerpiece of the Google Workspace experience, with a handful of integrations to services like Meet and Chat. Now, there's a new feature coming to Gmail's sidebar.

Your Google Assistant and Calendar Tasks Have a New Home

Arol Wright — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:10:50 GMT

If you've been using reminders in Google Calendar and Google Assistant, Google has been looking to get rid of them for some time and move them to its dedicated app for that purpose, Google Tasks. The company is now ready to rush that change to everyone.

How to Insert a PDF in Google Slides

Mahesh Makvana — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 11:00:19 GMT

Google Slides doesn't allow you to embed PDFs in your presentations, but there are a couple of workarounds to display your PDF content in your slides. You can use your PDF pages as images, or upload your PDF somewhere online and link to it from your slides. Here's how to use both methods.

How to Print Google Slides With Notes

Mahesh Makvana — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 11:00:00 GMT

Do you want to practice your presentation offline? Or maybe you need to share your presentation notes with your audience? Either way, Google Slides lets you print your presentations with your speaker notes included. We'll show you how to do that or simply save it as a sharable PDF file.

16 Google Search Features You Should Be Using

Mahesh Makvana — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 07:00:07 GMT

Google's Search function isn't limited to just finding websites. You can use the same search box to perform calculations, find flight information, and even tune your guitar. Here are a few less-known features of Google Search that you should be using.

Malware is Sneaking Into Google Search Ads

Arol Wright — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 17:14:43 GMT

Malware and viruses always, always, find a way. You need to be extra careful while browsing online, but sometimes, malware can still pop up in the places you least expect it -- including in Google Search ads.

6 Tips for Planning Your Day in Google Calendar

Sandy Writtenhouse — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 12:00:00 GMT

You may already use Google Calendar for scheduling meetings, but have you ever considered using Google's free calendar app to plan your entire day? You can if you know what tools and features to use, which we'll outline below.

Google Docs and Slides Now Have Better Voice Support

Arol Wright — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 12:03:28 GMT

Whether you're preparing a document or a big presentation, Google's suite of online tools can be incredibly useful. And now, Docs and Slides are easier to use with your voice.

Google Meet's New Video Filters Are Nightmare Fuel

Arol Wright — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 14:58:21 GMT

Google Meet is the platform of choice for many companies to engage in remote meetings, and it also lets you spruce up things with filters and backgrounds to make meetings more fun. These new filters, though, blur the line between fun and creepy.

Google Is Getting Better at Reading Bad Handwriting

Arol Wright — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:02:10 GMT

As a Pharmacy student, I can attest that a big portion of our time in class is dedicated to learning how to decode the bad handwriting of doctors. After all, the health of patients depends on it. Tech is also another possible approach to solving that problem, and now, Google is giving it a shot.

Google Docs Now Has Code Blocks, but Not for Everyone

Corbin Davenport — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:01:38 GMT

Google Docs is one of the most popular ways to create and share text documents, but up until now, sharing code samples has been a bit cumbersome. That's finally changing.

Google Search Will Show You Cloud Games, but Not on Stadia

Corbin Davenport — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 13:57:21 GMT

Google decided in September to shut down its Stadia game streaming service, shifting its goal to promoting other (and much more popular) platforms. The company is now promoting a feature in Google Search that can help you find games available through streaming services.

10 Google Docs Resume Templates to Land Your Dream Job

Sandy Writtenhouse — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 08:00:24 GMT

Building a resume from scratch takes a lot of time. Instead of using your energy formatting and aligning your experience, skills, and education, why not start with a template? Here are several Google Docs resume templates to get you started.

Google Sheets Is Adding Colorful "Chips"

Arol Wright — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 11:57:38 GMT

Spreadsheets are useful for a lot of things, and among those uses, there's project/task managing. Google Sheets is one of the most easily accessible and useful spreadsheet services, and now, it's getting a little friendlier for task management purposes as well.

Say Goodbye to Paginated Google Search Results

Arol Wright — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 12:00:51 GMT

Google's iconic page picker has been a staple feature ever since the search engine was first launched in 1998. But now, it's going away, as Google is implementing a new infinite scrolling feature on its search results on the desktop to see more results.

Google Pixel Watch Will Add Popular Apple Watch Feature

Corbin Davenport — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 13:00:59 GMT

The Apple Watch has a fall detection feature that can call emergency services if it detects a sudden hard fall. Google is now aiming to add the same functionality to its Pixel Watch.

How to Add Travel Time to a Google Calendar Event

Sandy Writtenhouse — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 13:00:00 GMT

When you add an event to Google Calendar, traveling to it may be an event in itself. Ensure you have time to reach your event by adding travel to your calendar. You can then prevent other events from getting scheduled during your travel time.

How to Move a Table in Google Docs

Sandy Writtenhouse — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Tables enable you to structure data efficiently in a report, essay, or research paper. However, after you create a table, you may realize you need to move it elsewhere. We'll show how to move a table in Google Docs.

How to Make a Venn Diagram in Google Docs

Marshall Gunnell — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 14:00:00 GMT

A Venn diagram pictorially represents the relationship between two or more things. You can quickly create your own Venn diagram in Google Docs by using the built-in drawing tool. Here's how.

How to Create a Combo Chart in Google Sheets

Sandy Writtenhouse — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 13:00:46 GMT

Picking out the best chart for effectively displaying related data isn't always easy. Using a combo chart in Google Sheets, you can take advantage of two charts combined for the ideal visual.

How to Hide a Slide in Google Slides

Mahesh Makvana — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 13:00:43 GMT

If you'd like to prevent a specific slide from appearing while you're presenting or printing your presentation, rather than delete it you can hide that slide on Google Slides. We'll show you how to do just that.

How to Tune Your Guitar With Google Tuner

Sydney Butler — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Need to tune your guitar? Tuner apps can be expensive, and forgetting your physical tuner at home is the last thing you need when you're about to start a gig. The free Google Guitar Tuner is a search away in your browser and can work well in a pinch.

How to Add a Trendline in Google Sheets

Sandy Writtenhouse — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:00:24 GMT

If you want a simple visual to help your audience see the direction of the data in your chart, consider a trendline. You can add different types of trendlines in Google Sheets and customize their appearance.

How to Add a Background Image in Google Docs

Sandy Writtenhouse — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 14:00:24 GMT

You may be working on a document that could benefit from a background image. You can easily add images to your documents inside Google Docs. We'll show you how.

It's Now Easier to Google Your Favorite Food

Arol Wright — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:12:24 GMT

The holiday season is a time of giving, getting closer to friends and family, and not least importantly, tasty food. Google's Search component, which is still the company's main product, is now making it easier to look up food and places to eat it.

Google Maps Wants to Improve Your Holiday Commuting

Arol Wright — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 16:27:04 GMT

The holiday season is nearing. Christmas involves a lot of commuting --- whether we're talking about getting gifts for someone or simply visiting family or friends. Google Maps wants to make things easier for you and for those trips, which is why it has just added a bunch of new features.

Your Pixel Watch is Getting Better at Sleep Tracking

Arol Wright — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 16:42:52 GMT

The Pixel Watch might not be an awesome offering on its own, but Google is trying really hard to make it worthwhile. Now your watch will now be able to provide you with in-depth analysis of your sleep with a new feature dubbed Sleep Profiles.

Google Wallet Coming to More Fitbits and 12 More Countries

Arol Wright — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 11:57:10 GMT

Google rebranded its Google Pay contactless payments app into Google Wallet, now encompassing several things, including loyalty passes, digital keys and, of course, credit and debit cards. Now, Wallet is becoming available in 12 more countries.

Google's "I'm Feeling Lucky," Explained

Gaurav Shukla — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 07:00:43 GMT

The "I'm Feeling Lucky" button has been a fixture on the Google homepage since day one. But many people have no clue what it means or what it does. So what is the function of the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button?

You Can Now Use Google's VPN on Your PC

Arol Wright — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 17:18:52 GMT

Google's "One" subscription service not only lets you get more storage space across Google service, but it also gives you access to a VPN. Now, you can use it as a regular VPN client on Windows and macOS computers.

Get a Google Nest Mini Smart Speaker for Just $18 Today

Corbin Davenport — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:40:03 GMT

The Nest Mini is Google's entry-level smart speaker, with all the power of Google Assistant in a smaller (and cheaper) speaker. Now it's on sale at a great price.

How to Make a Chart in Google Docs

Sandy Writtenhouse — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 15:00:02 GMT

If you want a graph in your report, proposal, or research paper, you can create one directly in Google Docs. There's no need to worry about making one elsewhere and embedding it. Simply insert your graph and add your data.

How to Sign Out of Google on All Your Devices

Mahesh Makvana — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 15:00:19 GMT

Did you sign into your Google account on a public computer? Or are you logged into Google on a device you've lost? If so, you can sign out of Google on all your devices to prevent security mishaps. Here's how to do it.

How to Use the Google Online Calculator

Mahesh Makvana — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 13:00:12 GMT

Google isn't just for finding resources on the internet. The search engine also offers a free calculator built right in that you can use to perform both basic and complex calculations. We'll show you how to use the Google online calculator right here.