In Short:
- Google Calendar gains new features for appointment scheduling, including custom weekly recurrence and easier guest management.
- Google Messages is getting a fun upgrade with Snapchat-like 3D filters for photos and videos.
- Google Search app on iOS now offers customizable icons to personalize your home screen.
Google is rolling out a series of updates to its popular apps, bringing greater flexibility to appointments, a touch of fun to messaging, and a dash of style to search.
Google Calendar: More Flexibility for Appointments
Scheduling appointments just got easier and more adaptable with the latest update to Google Calendar. Users can now create recurring schedules with custom weekly intervals, allowing for appointments every other week or on any specific weekday combination.
Additionally, managing attendees becomes more streamlined. Organizers (and co-hosts) can now add additional guests or rooms to existing events, provided the “Guests can invite others” option was selected during setup. This simplifies the process of including new participants or accommodating changes in venue. As a final time-saving feature, Google Calendar now allows creating events with Google Groups as co-hosts, facilitating appointments with larger teams or departments.
Google Messages: Adding a Playful Touch with 3D Filters
Google Messages is getting a fun makeover with the upcoming integration of 3D filters, similar to those popularized by Snapchat. These filters add a layer of interactivity and entertainment to photo and video messages. Users can choose from various options, including full-face filters like a rabbit or dinosaur, or playful accessories like hats and glasses. The 3D effects adapt to facial movements, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. This feature is likely targeted towards a younger demographic and aims to make Google Messages a more entertaining platform for communication.
Google Search App (iOS): Personalize Your Home Screen with Stylish Icons
For iOS users, the Google Search app now offers a touch of personalization with the ability to customize its home screen icon. While the classic red, yellow, green, and blue “G” logo remains, users can now choose from a dark background version or a dark “G” on a light background, offering a total of four options. This aligns with the existing icon customization options available for the Google Search bar widget on Android. To change the icon, users simply need to tap their profile picture in the app, and navigate to Settings > General > Change app icon.
These updates demonstrate Google’s commitment to continuously improving its apps and catering to user preferences. With increased flexibility in scheduling, a dash of fun in messaging, and a touch of style in search, Google continues to refine its suite of applications for a more efficient and enjoyable user experience.
