Google’s Gboard Update Lets Users Change Emoji and Keyboard Text Size.

Google has rolled out a new update for Gboard, the keyboard app used on millions of Android devices, that gives users more control over how emojis and keyboard text appear. This change is aimed at making the typing experience more comfortable and customizable, especially for people who want bigger emojis or larger text while typing.

In the latest Gboard update, users can now set a custom font size directly in the keyboard settings. This means the emoji panel and the regular keyboard text can be adjusted independently of the system’s overall display settings. Users can open Gboard’s Preferences menu and find the new size control to increase or decrease the size of emojis and letters to their liking.

This change follows a trend where more Android apps are letting users tweak individual UI elements for better accessibility and comfort. In the past, Gboard only used the system-wide font size to determine how big or small keys, emojis, and characters appeared. With the new control, users have direct command over how Gboard looks without affecting other parts of their phone’s interface.

Some users recently noticed that emojis in Gboard were appearing larger than before. That happened because Google quietly changed the emoji grid layout from nine columns to eight. Reducing the number of columns makes each emoji cell bigger, which may be why some people felt emojis were unexpectedly larger. This has sparked plenty of discussion online as users shared their reactions and questions about the change.

The new font size setting could help address concerns from users who prefer the older layout or want even larger keyboard text and emojis for readability. Google often tests interface tweaks before a full release, so the update is being rolled out gradually. Users should check the Gboard app settings to see if the new controls are available on their devices yet.

Gboard remains one of the most popular Android keyboards thanks to features like emoji search, GIF suggestions, gesture typing, and multilingual support. This latest update gives users another way to tailor the keyboard to their own needs and preferences, improving both comfort and usability over time.

Google Pixel Gets High Contrast Design for At a Glance Widget.

Google is beginning to roll out a high contrast design for the At a Glance widget on Pixel smartphones. The update focuses on improving readability, especially for users who use colorful or bright wallpapers on their home screen.

The At a Glance widget is one of the most important features on Pixel phones. It appears at the top of the home screen and shows useful information such as the current weather, upcoming calendar events, reminders, and alerts like package deliveries or travel updates. While the widget is helpful, many users have complained that the text becomes hard to read depending on the wallpaper behind it.

Until now, the widget mostly relied on transparent backgrounds and dynamic text colors. On certain wallpapers, especially light or busy ones, the text could blend into the background. This made quick information difficult to see at a glance, which goes against the purpose of the widget.

To solve this problem, Google is introducing a high contrast mode for the At a Glance widget. When enabled, the widget adds a subtle dark translucent background behind the text. This background improves contrast and makes the information stand out clearly, regardless of the wallpaper being used.

The new design spans the full width of the widget and follows Google’s modern Material styling. The background is not fully opaque, so it still blends nicely with the home screen while making the text much easier to read. Icons and text now appear sharper and more visible, especially in outdoor lighting conditions.

Early reports suggest that this feature is currently showing up for some users running the Android 16 QPR3 beta on Pixel devices. However, Google often rolls out such visual changes through server-side updates, which means more users could receive it without installing a full system update.

Some Pixel owners have already noticed the high contrast option appearing automatically, while others may need to wait for a wider rollout. At the moment, Google has not officially confirmed when the feature will reach all Pixel users or whether it will be optional through a settings toggle.

This update shows Google’s continued focus on accessibility and usability. Improving text visibility may seem like a small change, but it can make a big difference for daily use, especially for users with visual sensitivity or those who prefer vibrant wallpapers.

As Google continues refining the Pixel experience with Android 16, more design and usability improvements are expected to arrive in the coming months.

Google Play Store Rolls Out AI-Generated Summaries to Simplify App Review Skimming.

The Google Play Store is rolling out a new feature powered by generative AI, designed to save users significant time when researching apps. The platform has begun displaying AI-generated summaries of aggregated user reviews, providing a quick snapshot of public opinion.

This functionality has been in development for some time, with initial signs of its arrival noted over a year ago. The feature is now starting to appear for a broader audience, indicating a general rollout phase.

Cutting Through the Noise of Thousands of Reviews.

The primary role of this new AI tool is to process the large volume of user feedback often associated with popular apps. By absorbing this extensive body of text, the AI can then serve up the information in a concise, easily digestible format.

When available, users will find these summaries under a bolded "Users are saying" heading within the Ratings and reviews section of an app's listing. The summary typically takes the form of a single, informative paragraph.

This paragraph aims to highlight the most common feedback points. Crucially, it attempts to give a balanced view by consolidating both the positive aspects and the prevailing negative points mentioned across the collective user reviews.

Enhancing User Experience and Feature Discovery.

Beyond the paragraph summary, the feature is further enhanced by interactive chips displayed below the text. These chips allow users to "drill down" into the reviews.

Tapping on a chip will filter the results to only show reviews that specifically mention that particular aspect of the app. This makes it easier for potential users to quickly judge features like performance, interface, or specific functionality.

This move by Google follows a trend in the tech industry to use AI for better content aggregation. Amazon has utilized AI-generated product review summaries for some time, and Apple rolled out a similar review summarization feature on the iOS App Store in April.

The new feature is being observed on various devices, though it is not yet universally available across all accounts. This gradual rollout is typical for major Play Store updates.

Google Photos Rolls Out 'Trendy' Video Templates for Easy, Automated Video Creation.

Google Photos is set to drastically simplify the video creation process for its users. The company is introducing a suite of new "trendy" video editing templates, aimed at making it easier than ever to turn a collection of personal memories into a polished, share-worthy video clip.

This significant update is an extension of the existing 'Highlight video' function already found within the application's 'Create' tab. It represents a clear effort by Google to democratize the video editing experience for its massive user base.

What the New Templates Offer.

These new templates are essentially designed as pre-packaged video structures. They allow users to simply slot their photos and video clips into a pre-set, professional-looking visual narrative.

Google has positioned this new tool as a way to offer "easy and automated" video creation for everyone. This removes the barrier of manually aligning clips and music, which can often be time-consuming for casual users.

A key technical aspect of the new feature is the automatic synchronization capabilities. Each template comes pre-loaded with music, ensuring cuts and transitions are precisely beat-matched to the audio rhythm.

Furthermore, the templates include designated placeholders for text overlays. This feature allows users to easily add context, titles, or a complete narrative to their video story.

How to Use the Feature.

The process for using the new templates is straightforward, according to the official support documentation. Users will begin by navigating to the 'Create' tab on their Google Photos mobile app.

From there, they select 'Highlight video' where they can now browse through templates for different themes and narratives. Once a template is selected, users simply tap 'Use template.'

Content selection can be done manually by picking the best photos and videos from the gallery. Alternatively, users can leverage an "assisted content selection" option, which uses AI to select the most relevant media for the chosen template.

A Focus on Share-Worthy Content.

While the official support page details the full step-by-step process, a widespread public rollout of the new templates does not yet appear to be live for all users. The feature is expected to arrive on Android devices first.

This move is a clear step by Google to enhance the media editing capabilities within Photos. It makes high-quality video creation accessible, enabling casual users to produce "polished, share-worthy" content with minimal effort.

How To Change Default Search Engine of Chrome Browser.

Your web browser does more than just open websites; it’s your gateway to the internet. Every time you type a query into Chrome’s address bar (also known as the omnibox), it instantly directs you to results powered by your default search engine. 

Most of us stick with Google because it’s the preset option, but Chrome actually allows you to change this default anytime. Whether you prefer the privacy of DuckDuckGo, the rewards of Bing, or a specialized engine like Startpage, the process is quick and easy. 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to change your default search engine on desktop, Android, and iPhone, along with key notes and troubleshooting tips that will help you get the most out of Chrome.

Change Default Search Engine on Desktop.

Let’s start with the desktop version of Chrome, since it offers the most flexibility and customization.

Step 1: Open Google Chrome Settings.

To get started, open Google Chrome on your computer, then click the three-dot menu located at the top-right corner of the browser window. From the dropdown menu, select Settings to open Chrome’s configuration page. 

Alternatively, you can simply type chrome://settings in the address bar and press Enter to access it directly.

Step 2: Go to the search engine section.

In the Settings menu, navigate to the left-hand sidebar and click on Search engine, where you’ll find a Change button, and a list of pre-configured options will appear (e.g., Google, Bing, Yahoo!, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia). Select your desired new default search engine.

Step 3: Managing and Manually Adding a Search Engine.

If your desired search provider is not among the default options, navigate to "Manage search engines and site search" (or "Manage search engines"). Here, you can click Add and manually input the required details: the Search engine name, a Shortcut (keyword), and the URL with %s in place of the query. 

Alternatively, a simpler method is to first visit the desired search engine's website and perform a search; Chrome will often detect and automatically list it in the "Site search" section, from which you can easily click the three dots (⋮) next to the entry and select "Make default."

Change Default Search Engine on Mobile.

You can easily change the default search engine within the Google Chrome app on both Android and iOS devices. This setting controls the engine used when you type a query into the address bar (omnibox).

Here are the professional steps to change the default search engine on mobile:

Step 1: Open Chrome Settings.

To access settings on mobile, open the Chrome app and tap the menu icon (⋮ on Android, typically top right; or ••• on iOS, typically bottom right), then select Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to the Search Engine.

Scroll down to the "Basics" section (on Android) or look through the main menu (on iOS). Tap on the Search engine.

Step 3: Select a New Default Engine.

A list of available search providers (such as Google, Bing, Yahoo!, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, etc.) will be displayed. Tap the name of the search engine you wish to set as your new default.

The change will be applied immediately. All future searches performed by typing into the Chrome address bar will use the newly selected search engine.

By following these simple steps, users can efficiently customize their Google Chrome browsing experience to align with their privacy preferences, search result format requirements, or regional defaults. Regularly reviewing and managing your default search engine settings ensures your browser behaves optimally according to your specific needs.

Google Gemini AI Starts Rolling Out to Chrome on iOS.

Google is continuing its aggressive strategy of embedding its Gemini AI capabilities across its entire ecosystem, with the latest integration arriving in Chrome for iOS. This move brings powerful, on-demand AI functionality directly into the mobile browser experience for iPhone users.

While many iOS users default to Safari, the integration caters to a significant subset of users who prefer the Chrome environment on their Apple devices. It eliminates the need to switch to the standalone Gemini app for common queries and page-specific insights.

In-Browser Assistance on iPhone.

The arrival of Gemini in Chrome for iOS was first anticipated after a similar integration was announced for Mac users earlier this year. Its appearance now ensures a unified, in-browser AI experience across platforms.

For those receiving the update, the functionality is reportedly highlighted by a "Get started" banner appearing within the Chrome interface.

The key feature is "Ask Gemini," which allows users to get relevant, contextual answers based on the webpage they are currently viewing. It promises to deliver swift key takeaways and insights without disrupting the browsing flow.

Quick Access and Opt-In Requirement.

Users can access the Gemini feature via the three-dot menu (Page Tools) within Chrome. This opens a dedicated interface where they can input a custom query or select from pre-populated options.

Available prompts include highly useful functions like "summarize page" and "create FAQ about this topic," transforming the way users digest long-form content on their mobile devices.

Crucially, the feature requires an explicit user opt-in to begin functioning. Users must grant permission for the browser to send webpage data to Google for processing by the Gemini model. This ensures transparency and user control over their data.

Phased Rollout Underway.

The rollout appears to be phased, with initial reports suggesting the integration is landing for a subset of users. It is highly likely that, as with many of Google's initial AI launches, the support is currently limited to English-language users in the United States.

As the technology continues to mature, and with Gemini now established on various Android and desktop platforms, its arrival on the iPhone browser signals Google's commitment to making its flagship AI assistant universally accessible, regardless of the operating system.

Viral 'Nano Banana' AI Image Editing Arrives in Google Lens and Search AI Mode.

Google is dramatically enhancing the creative capabilities of its core apps, bringing the popular "Nano Banana" image editing and generation feature directly into Google Lens and the Search AI Mode. This integration provides users with a powerful, fun, and accessible way to generate and manipulate images using simple prompts.

The feature, which utilizes the advanced Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model, first gained viral traction within the standalone Gemini app. Its expansion signifies Google’s push to embed generative AI directly into the daily tools people use for visual search and creation.

AI Mode Gets a Dedicated Creation Shortcut.

In the Search app's dedicated AI Mode, the "Nano Banana" functionality is now easier to access than ever. Users will notice a new plus icon ('+') situated in the bottom-left corner of the main prompt box.

Tapping this icon reveals a menu that allows users to access the Gallery, Camera, or a new option: "Create Images," accompanied by a banana emoji. This dedicated shortcut streamlines the creative workflow.

Upon selecting this option, the standard prompt hint changes to "Describe your image." From here, users can either type a prompt to generate an entirely new image or select an existing photograph to apply edits.

Any image generated through this feature will be marked with the standard Gemini spark watermark in the bottom-right corner, clearly identifying its AI origin.

Google Lens Launches New 'Create' Tab.

Perhaps the most significant change is the introduction of a new "Create" tab within Google Lens. This redesign also features a minor UI tweak, moving the text labels below the icons to better accommodate multiple filters.

The new tab is heavily geared toward real-time capture and sharing, prompting users to "capture, create, and share" their creations. A prominent banana emoji is even featured on the shutter button.

Notably, the "Create" tab defaults to the front-facing camera, suggesting an immediate focus on AI-enhanced selfies and real-time artistic manipulations.

After capturing an image, it is automatically routed to the AI Mode's prompt box, where users can then add a text prompt to apply generative edits or transformations.

Availability and Broader AI Push.

The "Nano Banana" integration in Google Lens and AI Mode is currently being observed on Android devices in the US for users who have opted into the AI Mode Search Lab. A wider rollout is expected in the coming weeks.

This rollout aligns with Google’s broader global expansion of its AI capabilities. Just this week, the company announced that AI Mode has been expanded to support 35 new languages and over 40 new countries/territories, bringing its total reach to over 200 regions globally.