Mastering Google Gemini: 3 Essential Features You Need Now

Mastering Google Gemini: 3 Essential Features You Need Now

Unlock the full power of Google's AI with these hidden productivity, privacy, and comfort settings. Try these Top 3 Cool Tips for Google Gemini in 2025.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 28, 2025

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Are you getting the most out of your AI assistant, or are you just scratching the surface? 

Many users treat Google Gemini like a simple search engine, missing out on powerful tools designed to protect your privacy, save your eyes, and customize your workflow. 

If you are ready to move beyond basic prompts and take control of your AI experience, these three features are game-changers.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try these Top 3 Google Gemini Cool Tips in 2025.

About the Features

Google Gemini has evolved significantly throughout 2025. 

Beyond smarter answers, the platform now offers robust features that cater to how we actually work and live.

Here are the three top, most popular Google Gemini Cool Tips of 2025:

• Dark Mode isn't just aesthetic; it is a necessary feature for reducing eye strain during late-night brainstorming sessions.
• Temporary Chats bring an "incognito" mindset to AI, ensuring your one-off questions don't clutter your history or train the model.
• Gemini Canvas provides a dedicated workspace for writers and coders to collaborate side-by-side with AI, moving beyond the linear chat format.

What You’ll Gain

• Reduced Eye Strain: Work comfortably in low-light environments.
• Enhanced Privacy: Ask sensitive or random questions without leaving a digital trail.
• Streamlined Creation: Draft long-form content and code with precision editing tools.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

1. Enable Dark Mode (Web & Mobile)

PC:

1. Open the Gemini app in your Chrome browser, gemini.google.com. 
2. Click on the "Menu" icon (three lines) in the top right corner.
3. Select "Settings."
4. Toggle the "Dark theme" switch on or off.

Mobile Devices

1. You can switch between a dark theme and light theme in Gemini Apps. 
2. By default, the color scheme for the Gemini app matches the color scheme of the device you’re on.
3. In the Gemini mobile apps, you can switch between dark and light themes when you update your device’s theme settings.

Read the Full Cool Tip.

2. Use Temporary Chats

Web/Desktop

1. Open your web browser and navigate to gemini.google.com.
2. On the left-hand side menu, look for the "Temporary Chat" option. 
3. You’ll see a clear on-screen confirmation that you are in a temporary chat, and your conversation will not be saved. 
4. You can begin your prompt.

Read the Full Cool Tip.

3. Master the Canvas Interface

1. Go to gemini.google.com
2. Select the "Canvas" button located below the text input box.
3. Enter your prompt or instructions in the Canvas workspace. For example, "Tell me about One Cool Tip"
4. Gemini generates text based on your prompt.
5. Use the editing tools within Canvas to modify the generated text. 
6. You can:
7. Change the tone: Adjust the style and voice of the text (e.g., formal, informal, humorous).
8. Adjust the length: Increase or decrease the length of the text to fit your specific needs.
9. Refine the content: Make specific edits to improve clarity, grammar, and style.

Read the Full Cool Tip.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Focus: Canvas separates the "chatting" from the "doing," making it easier to refine long documents.
• Health: Dark mode significantly reduces blue light exposure.
• Security: Temporary chats prevent clutter and increase data privacy for sensitive topics.

Cons:

• History Limitations: You cannot retrieve a Temporary Chat once closed.
• Mobile Parity: Canvas features are most powerful on desktop; mobile versions are improving but limited.
• Learning Curve: Users must learn to "highlight and ask" in Canvas rather than just chatting.

Feature Access

Dark Mode & Temporary Chats: Available to all users (Free and Advanced) globally.

Gemini Canvas: Initially an Advanced feature, Google began rolling this out to broader audiences in early 2025.

Score

Criterion Score (0–10) Justification

Value 9

These features solve major pain points in privacy and usability.

Usability 8

Toggles are easy to find; Canvas requires a slight shift in habits.

Wow Factor 8

Canvas feels like a true collaborative partner rather than a chatbot.

Total: 25/30 🌟 Excellent

These three features transform Gemini from a simple chatbot into a personalized, professional workspace.

Key Takeaways

Mastering Gemini requires more than just good prompting; it requires setting up your environment. 

By utilizing Dark Mode for comfort, Temporary Chats for privacy, and Canvas for deep work, you build a tool that works for you.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Gemini Customization Suite (Dark Mode, Temp Chat, Canvas).
• Platform(s): Web, Android, iOS.
• Quick Benefit: Personalized, private, and focused AI interaction.
• Access Type: Free (Dark Mode/Temp Chat), Freemium (Canvas).

Try It Yourself

Go to Gemini right now, type "Open Canvas," and ask it to help you draft an email to your team. 

Highlight a sentence and ask Gemini to "rewrite this to be more polite." 

You will see the magic of side-by-side editing immediately.

READ MORE

• Unleashing Your Inner Creator: How to Use the New Canvas in Google Gemini
  
• Tired of Eye Strain? Google Gemini Has a Solution
  
• Why Gemini's Temporary Chats Are a Game Changer for Smart Professionals
  
• MORE Google Gemini Cool Tips

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

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Top 2025 ChatGPT Cool Tips You Should Know

Top 2025 ChatGPT Cool Tips You Should Know

Three 2025 ChatGPT features quietly changed how people work across Apple devices, the web, and teams. If you use ChatGPT even occasionally, these tips can save time immediately and unlock capabilities many users still overlook.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 27, 2025

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Most people think they know ChatGPT because they type prompts into a box and read answers. 

The reality is that ChatGPT has crossed a threshold where it behaves more like an assistant platform than a single tool, especially when paired with Apple devices, Projects, and the new ChatGPT-5 model. 

Here's a Cool Tip: Discover the impactful and most popular ChatGPT Cool Tips in 2025.

If you have not revisited how you use ChatGPT in the past few months, you are almost certainly leaving productivity on the table.

Browse Smarter With Multi-Tab Context in Microsoft Edge

Browse Smarter With Multi-Tab Context in Microsoft Edge

Your browser tabs already know more than you think. Microsoft Edge’s new Copilot Mode uses multi-tab context to help you research, compare, and decide faster without hopping between windows.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 24, 2025

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Have you ever finished a research session with ten tabs open, three notes half-written, and a lingering sense that you missed something important? 

Browsing today is less about finding information and more about connecting it across tabs, documents, and moments of attention.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Microsoft Edge Copilot for Multi-Tab Context.

Multi-tab context inside Edge is where Copilot can understand what you are viewing across multiple open pages and respond as if it were sitting beside you, following along.

Feature Explanation

Multi-tab context is part of Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge. 

When enabled, Copilot can reference the content of multiple open tabs at the same time rather than treating each page as an isolated query.

In practical terms, this means Copilot can compare articles, summarize differences between products, extract themes from several sources, or answer questions that require awareness of more than one webpage. 

The browsing session becomes a working set of context instead of a pile of disconnected links.

Why it matters: modern browsing is multi-source by default. Decisions are rarely made from a single page. 

Multi-tab context reduces cognitive load and cuts down on copy-paste workflows that break focus.

What You’ll Gain

With multi-tab context, you can:

• See patterns across tabs without manual comparison.
• Ask better questions using your actual browsing context.
• Reduce tab switching and note juggling.
• Turn browsing into structured research.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Microsoft Edge/Desktop (Windows 11, macOS)

1. Open Microsoft Edge and ensure you are signed in with a Microsoft account.
2. Click the Copilot icon in the top-right corner of the browser.
3. Enable Copilot Mode if prompted. 
4. Open multiple related tabs such as product pages or articles.
5. In the Copilot panel, ask a question that references multiple tabs. Example: “Compare the pros and cons across my open tabs.”

fig. 1 - Browse Faster With Multi-Tab Context

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Faster synthesis across sources, especially for research.
• Fewer manual notes and comparisons.
• Natural language queries reduce friction.
• Strong fit for business and academic workflows.

Cons

• Requires trust in Copilot’s interpretation.
• Performance depends on page structure and readability.
• Not all users will want AI awareness across tabs.
• Feature availability varies during rollout.

Feature Access

• Browser: Microsoft Edge with Copilot.
• Accounts: Microsoft account required.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS.
• Status: Currently rolling out.
• Subscription: Free with Edge; some advanced AI features may require eligible Copilot plans.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9

Directly improves how people research and decide online.

Usability 8

Natural prompts work well, though discoverability could improve.

Wow Factor 7

Powerful but subtle rather than flashy.

Total: 24/30  👍 Good

A practical productivity upgrade that quietly changes how browsing works. Compared to single-page AI summaries, multi-tab context feels closer to real thinking.

Key Takeaways

Multi-tab context turns browsing sessions into working knowledge. 

Instead of juggling tabs, you let Copilot connect them. 

The result is faster understanding with less mental overhead.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Multi-Tab Context in Copilot Mode.
• Platform(s): Microsoft Edge with Copilot.
• Quick Benefit: Smarter answers across open tabs.
• Access Type: Free, currently rolling out.

Try It Yourself

Open three related tabs today and ask Copilot a question that requires comparison. 

Share what surprised you in the comments, subscribe to the One Cool Tip Newsletter, and pass this Cool Tip along to your team, family, and friends.

READ MORE

• “Hey Copilot” on Windows 11: Hands-Free Help That Actually Saves Time
  
• Copilot Notebooks Arrive for Microsoft 365: Save Smarter Prompts, Get Better Results
  
• Microsoft 365 Copilot vs Microsoft Copilot: What’s the Difference?

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ChatGPT Branched Chats Arrive on Mobile

ChatGPT Branched Chats Arrive on Mobile

ChatGPT’s new Branched Chats on mobile let you split a conversation at any point and explore multiple directions without losing your original thread. For anyone who thinks in drafts, alternatives, or parallel ideas, this quietly changes how productive mobile AI can be.

Byline: By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 23, 2025

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Have you ever asked ChatGPT a follow-up question and immediately regretted it because the entire conversation veered off course? 

On desktop, you could recover by scrolling or copying.

 On mobile, that detour often meant starting over. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Branched Chats in ChatGPT mobile apps.

That friction is exactly what ChatGPT’s new Branched Chats feature is designed to remove.

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Check out the NEW and improved One Cool Tip AI Companion, powered by ChatGPT.

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned tech expert, is the mastermind behind www.OneCoolTip.com where he serves as both writer and editor. With a keen eye for simplifying complex tech, Rodger delivers practical advice that empowers readers to navigate the digital world with confidence. Dive into www.OneCoolTip.com for a treasure trove of savvy tips and tricks that keep you one step ahead in tech.

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Google Search Just Added a Plus Button

Google Search Just Added a Plus Button

Google is transforming its search bar from a text box into a command center with a simple interface update. You can now upload a photo or file directly to Search to get AI-powered answers for complex problems you cannot easily describe with words.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 21, 2025

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When was the last time you searched Google without typing a word?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New Google Search AI Mode Plus (+) Button.

Google is quietly rolling out a feature that lets you stop typing and start showing.

Feature Explanation

Google has added a Plus (+) icon to the left side of the desktop search bar. 

This simple button is a massive shift: it functions like the attachment paperclip in AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini.

You can now click this icon to upload images or files directly from your computer. 

Once uploaded, Google’s AI analyzes the content to understand the context. 

It then provides an "AI Overview" that diagnoses the issue or answers your specific question. 

While mobile users have had similar features via Google Lens, this update brings true input to the desktop web for the first time.

What You’ll Gain

• Faster Troubleshooting: Diagnose mechanical issues from photos without learning technical jargon.
• Desktop Convenience: Analyze files already saved on your computer without transferring them to your phone.
• Seamless Workflow: Drag-and-drop complex files directly into the search homepage.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Web / Desktop

1. Navigate to the main Google homepage, www.google.com.
2. Look for a new Plus (+) symbol.
3. Click the icon and select "Upload file".
4. Once the file loads, type a specific question like "Why is this fan wobbling?"
5. Google processes the media and generates an AI Overview at the top of the results page.

fig. 1 - Google Search AI Mode Plus Button Example

Android / iOS (via Google Lens)

• Mobile does not have the "Plus" button yet, but uses the Camera icon for a similar result.

1. Launch the Google App (iOS / Android) on your mobile device.
2. Select the camera icon in the search bar.
3. Instead of snapping a photo, tap the gallery icon in the bottom left to select an image.
4. Tap the "Ask about this image" to type your query to get the same AI analysis.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Reduces friction for visual or technical questions.
• Improves accuracy for product and error identification.
• Natural extension of Lens and AI Overviews.
• Excellent for education and troubleshooting.

Cons

• Results depend on image clarity.
• Rollout appears inconsistent across accounts.
• Privacy-sensitive users may hesitate to upload files.

Configuration Guide

• There is no specific "switch" to turn this on or off as it is a server-side update.
• Availability: If you do not see the Plus (+) icon on desktop yet, ensure you are signed into your Google Account.

Feature Access

Rollout Status: The Plus (+) icon is Desktop-First. It is currently rolling out to users in the US and select regions.

Mobile Users: Continue using the Google Lens (Camera) icon.

Account Type: Available for standard Google accounts.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9

Bringing image and file input to the desktop fills a huge gap between mobile Lens and PC search.

Usability 8

Drag-and-drop is intuitive, though having two visual search icons (Plus and Lens) is slightly cluttered.

Wow Factor 8

Powerful but intentionally understated.

Total: 25/30 🌟 Excellent

This update unifies the Google ecosystem, making the desktop search bar just as powerful and sensory as the mobile app.

Key Takeaways

Google is blurring the line between "Search" and "AI Chatbot." 

By adding a dedicated file upload button to the desktop, they are acknowledging that we search with more than just keywords. 

This feature is perfect for users who store photos and files on their computers and want quick AI answers without transferring files to their phones.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Google Search Desktop Upload (Plus Icon).
• Platform(s): Web (Desktop exclusive UI); Mobile via Lens.
• Quick Benefit: Drag-and-drop analysis on desktop.
• Access Type: Free (Rolling out).

Try It Yourself

Go to your computer and find a photo or file. 

Open Google.com, look for the new Plus (+) sign on the left of the bar, and drag your file there. 

Ask Google "Where was this taken?" and see if the AI can identify the location!

Do you like this tip? 

Please click the Like button, leave a comment and share with your team, family and friends!

READ MORE

• Master AI and Cloud Skills Faster with Google Skills: Your One-Stop Learning Hub
  
• The AI Model That Finally Renders Perfect Text in Images: Meet Nano Banana Pro
  
• Gemini Now Learns from Your Past Conversations

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

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Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

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