Finally! How to Change Your Primary Gmail Address Without Losing Your Data

Finally! How to Change Your Primary Gmail Address Without Losing Your Data

Stop living with that embarrassing high school email address. Google finally lets you swap your primary @gmail.com handle while keeping every single message and photo intact. Discover how to transform your old Gmail identity into a professional new address without the headache of manual migrations. This update ensures you stay connected to your past while moving forward with a fresh digital name.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 10, 2026

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Are you still using the "coolguy92" or "sparkle-pony-fan" email address you created two decades ago? 

For years, the standard advice for anyone wanting a more professional Gmail identity was a digital shrug and a suggestion to start over from scratch. 

That meant moving thousands of photos, losing years of archived chats, and manually updating every single subscription service you own. 

It was a massive technical hurdle that kept millions of users tethered to usernames they outgrew long ago.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Pick a New Gmail Address Without Losing Your Data.

A new Gmail rollout is hitting accounts that allows users to pick a new @gmail.com address while automatically turning the old one into a permanent alias. 

You no longer have to choose between a professional look and your digital history.

Gemini Navigation Expands to Walking and Cycling in Google Maps

Gemini Navigation Expands to Walking and Cycling in Google Maps

Google Maps just got a major brain transplant for your morning commute and weekend treks. AI-powered navigation is no longer just for drivers.

Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 3, 2026

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Have you ever stared at a blue dot on your phone while spinning in circles trying to figure out which way is North? 

Even with augmented reality, urban canyons, and winding bike paths can be disorienting. 

Navigation has historically focused on the four-wheeled experience, leaving those on foot or two wheels to squint at tiny lines and hope for the best.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Gemini for walking and cycling.

Google is bridging that gap by integrating Gemini into Google Maps specifically for walking and cycling. 

This update transforms the map from a static document into a conversational partner. 

It understands the context of your surroundings and helps you find specific landmarks or points of interest using natural language while you are on the move.

Explore Search Trends with Gemini

Explore Search Trends with Gemini

Turn raw search data into instant insight with AI-powered explanations, comparisons, and context that save hours of research.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 26, 2026

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Google Trends has long been the gold standard for understanding what the world is searching for, but finding the exact right terms to compare has always been a manual, trial-and-error process. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Trends Now with Gemini.

A new integration with Gemini now automates the heavy lifting, instantly suggesting relevant comparisons and explaining the "why" behind the data.

Why You Should Care

• Instant Context: Gemini explains why a topic is trending, not just that it is trending.
• Better Comparisons: Automatically generates up to eight relevant comparison terms (e.g., searching "dog breeds" auto-populates "Golden Retriever," "Poodle," etc.).
• Time Saver: Eliminates the guesswork of finding related keywords for market research or content planning.

How to Turn Messy Documents into Clean Data Tables with Google NotebookLM

How to Turn Messy Documents into Clean Data Tables with Google NotebookLM

Google NotebookLM now offers a powerful way to instantly organize scattered information from multiple documents into structured, easy-to-read data tables. This feature transforms the tedious task of manual comparison into a one-click operation, allowing you to export your findings directly to Google Sheets.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 5, 2026

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Have you ever stared at five different PDF contracts, trying to manually compare the cancellation clauses in each one? 

Or perhaps you have a dozen resumes and need to quickly see which candidates have a master's degree and Python experience. 

Traditionally, this meant opening every file, scrolling endlessly, and copy-pasting data into a spreadsheet. 

It is a slow, error-prone nightmare. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the Google NotebookLM's New Data Tables Feature.

Google NotebookLM has solved this specific headache with a new Data Tables feature that lets the AI do the sorting and structuring for you.

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.

How Google Turns 50,000 Everyday Sounds Into Your Next Beat

How Google Turns 50,000 Everyday Sounds Into Your Next Beat

This remarkable AI tool transforms ordinary noises like dog barks, sneezes, and footsteps into a massive, searchable library of percussion, letting anyone make unique musical loops. It is an approachable, powerful demonstration of machine learning applied to creativity that redefines what a drum machine can be.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

November 21, 2025

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Think about the soundscape of your daily life. 

The click of a keyboard, the whoosh of a coffee machine, a distant car horn. 

Do you hear music? 

Most people do not. 

We filter these noises out as background static. 

But what if those mundane sounds, broken down and categorized by artificial intelligence, could become the building blocks of a fresh, original musical composition? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try Google's Infinite Drum Machine.

Google's Infinite Drum Machine takes that exact question and turns it into a captivating, hands-on answer. 

This AI experiment shifts the paradigm from using pre-programmed electronic drums to building beats out of the massive, untapped acoustic universe around us. 

It is not just a toy for musicians; it is a profound illustration of how machine learning can categorize and unlock the hidden creative potential in everyday data.

Master AI and Cloud Skills Faster with Google Skills: Your One-Stop Learning Hub

Master AI and Cloud Skills Faster with Google Skills: Your One-Stop Learning Hub

A fresh way to build in-demand AI and cloud expertise, Google Skills brings together thousands of labs, courses and badges that serve individuals and teams alike.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

October 27, 2025

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Have you ever found yourself juggling half-a-dozen online training portals and asking “Which one actually moves my career or team forward?” 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Learn with Google Skills.

Google is targeting frustrated employees with its new platform, Google Skills. 

With AI moving at breakneck speed and businesses demanding deeper cloud and machine-learning literacy, the old piecemeal approach to training is showing its age. 

Google Skills aims to give you one coherent place to build practical skills, validate them and even tie them into hiring or team-development pathways.

Google AI Mode Is Your New, Easier Way to Shop

Google AI Mode Is Your New, Easier Way to Shop

You can now find products using natural conversation, eliminating the frustrating need to click through dozens of filters.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

October 18, 2025

Have you ever tried to buy something online that you just could not describe? 

Maybe it was a specific style of shoe or a color combination for a shirt. 

For years, the search bar made us search like robots, forcing us to use rigid keywords. 

We ended up clicking through pages of the wrong stuff, wasting time.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the new Google AI Mode Search.

It is a full conversational helper, powered by Google's best AI, Gemini 2.5. 

You can describe exactly what you want, even if your idea is vague or complex, and the AI will find it. 

Your Camera Just Got a Brain: Unlock Google’s Real-Time AI Assistant

Your Camera Just Got a Brain: Unlock Google’s Real-Time AI Assistant

Stop typing and start talking. Google Live Search turns your phone’s camera and microphone into a hands-free AI expert that answers questions about whatever you point it at, in real time.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

October 5, 2025

Are you frustrated by stopping mid-task to type a complicated search query? 

Whether you are wiring a home theater system or guiding a student through a science experiment, breaking your focus to consult a keyboard wastes valuable time.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Live.

Google has delivered the solution with Live Search in its main Google app for iOS and Android. 

This feature moves beyond simple image recognition. 

It initiates an interactive, voice-activated AI conversation where the system uses your live camera feed to provide continuous visual context. 

The AI sees what you see, listens to what you say, and responds immediately with information and links relevant to the object right in front of you. This is pure, hands-free problem-solving.

The New Google App for Windows: Your Digital Sidekick Just Got a Promotion

The New Google App for Windows: Your Digital Sidekick Just Got a Promotion

Google is testing a new Windows app through Labs that combines AI-powered search, and seamless integration with Google services, all within a desktop experience.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor, 

September 18, 2025

Your workflow is a river, and every time you stop to search for something, you're building a dam. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try the new Google App for Windows.

Google's new experimental app for Windows aims to clear that path, giving you instant access to information without ever breaking your stride.

NotebookLM’s New Video Overviews: Turn Your Research into AI-Narrated Slides

NotebookLM’s New Video Overviews: Turn Your Research into AI-Narrated Slides

Google’s NotebookLM now delivers AI‑generated narrated visual overviews, plus a more flexible Studio panel, streamlining how you digest, tailor, and share knowledge.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

August 16, 2025

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What if your dense research notes could talk you through the key points as a slick slideshow?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try the New Google NotebookLM Video Overview.

With its new Video Overviews feature, you get visual walkthroughs of your content, complete with figures, quotes, diagrams, and narration. 

It’s like having a mini‑doc ready to absorb, on demand. 

How Google Career Dreamer is Reshaping Professional Growth

How Google Career Dreamer is Reshaping Professional Growth

Tired of the endless job hunt merry-go-round? Feeling stuck in a career rut with no clear path forward? Google Career Dreamer isn’t just another online tool; it’s a strategic ally in navigating the complexities of today’s job market, offering personalized pathways to your next big opportunity.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

July, 28, 2025

Ever feel like the professional world is constantly shifting beneath your feet, making it impossible to plant roots and truly grow? 

In this ever-evolving landscape, simply "applying for jobs" often feels like throwing darts in the dark. 

What if you had a personalized roadmap, designed to not only highlight in-demand skills but also connect you directly with the training and opportunities to acquire them? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try Google Career Dreamer.

NotebookLM's Featured Notebooks: Instantly Tap into Expert AI Learning

NotebookLM's Featured Notebooks: Instantly Tap into Expert AI Learning

Discover curated content from leading minds and elevate your research, learning, and productivity instantly with NotebookLM's latest update.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

July 15, 2025

Have you ever wished you could pick the brain of an expert, not just on a specific topic, but directly within your workflow, grounded in their own curated materials? 

The digital age has promised us endless information, but often, that promise drowns us in a sea of unverified claims and superficial summaries. 

We click, we skim, and too often, we walk away feeling less informed than when we started.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Featured Notebooks in NotebookLM.

Google AI Mode: The Future of Search

Google AI Mode: The Future of Search

Google’s new AI Mode injects powerful generative AI directly into Search, helping you cut through noise and get clearer, faster answers. Here’s what you need to know — and how to make the most of it.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 5, 2025

Is Google's AI Mode the Productivity Secret You’ve Been Waiting For?

Ever typed a question into Google and felt overwhelmed by the avalanche of blue links? You’re not alone. 

According to Google, nearly 15% of daily searches are brand-new, leaving traditional search engines scrambling to keep up. 

That’s where Google’s newly expanded AI Mode steps in, bringing the magic of generative AI right to the search bar, offering concise, contextual, and conversational answers.

This could be the beginning of a genuine shift in how we gather information online — one that might actually make you love searching again.

Backup Everything in Your Google Account with Google Takeout

Backup Everything in Your Google Account with Google Takeout

Google Takeout gives you a free, powerful way to download and preserve your data from Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Photos, and more. Here's how to use it and why you should.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 19, 2025

Ever wonder what would happen if your Google account vanished overnight?

It might sound paranoid, but think about it: decades of emails, cloud files, vacation photos, and contacts, all gone. 

Even with Google's robust infrastructure, data loss isn’t impossible. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Takeout.

Whether you're switching platforms, preparing for account deletion, or just want a local backup for peace of mind, Google Takeout is your best bet.

Google Portraits with Kim Scott: Your AI Leadership Coach

Google Portraits with Kim Scott: Your AI Leadership Coach

Step into conversational coaching on leadership and feedback with Kim Scott’s AI-powered Portrait in Google Labs.  Get real-time guidance drawn from trust, candor, and expert voice.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

June 12, 2025

Ever wish Kim Scott could hop into your Zoom call at the moment you're wrestling with a tough feedback convo? 

Here's a Cool Tip: AI Coaching.

In early June 2025, Google Labs rolled out "Portraits," starting with a lifelike AI avatar of Kim Scott, author of Radical Candor.

It’s not science fiction—it’s your own virtual coach, available 24/7, ready when you are.

Blob Opera: Google's AI-Powered Musical Playground

Blob Opera: Google's AI-Powered Musical Playground

Discover how Google's Blob Opera transforms opera into an interactive, AI-driven experience, making music creation accessible and entertaining for everyone.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 9, 2025

Can AI Make You an Opera Star?

What if you could compose and perform a four-part opera without any musical training? 

Here's a Cool Tip: Blob Opera!

Google's Blob Opera, an AI experiment by artist David Li in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, makes this possible. 

This interactive tool allows users to create harmonious operatic music by manipulating colorful, animated blobs—no prior musical knowledge required.

What Is Blob Opera?

Simplify Your Search: How Google's New iOS Feature Streamlines Your Mobile Experience

Simplify Your Search: How Google's New iOS Feature Streamlines Your Mobile Experience

The Google iOS app just got a whole lot more user-friendly! The new Simplify feature is designed to cut through the clutter and bring you the information you need, faster than ever.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 8, 2025

Ever stumbled upon a web article filled with technical jargon that left you scratching your head? 

Whether it's medical terminology, legal lingo, or scientific concepts, complex text can be a barrier to understanding.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google's New Simplify Feature on iPhone.

Google's new Simplify feature for its iOS app declutters the search experience, making it easier and faster to find what you're looking for. 

In today's fast-paced world, time is of the essence. 

Unleash Your Inner Trainer: How to Catch Pokémon with Google Search!

Unleash Your Inner Trainer: How to Catch Pokémon with Google Search!

Did you know you can encounter and "catch" Pokémon directly through Google Search? This hidden feature lets you engage with the beloved franchise in a fun, interactive way, right from your browser or mobile device.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

April 11, 2025

In a world where technology constantly surprises us, Google Search holds more secrets than you might imagine. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Catch Pokémon in Google Search.

Beyond answering your burning questions and directing you to the best websites, Google occasionally hides delightful Easter eggs – and one of the most charming is the ability to "catch" Pokémon. 

Yes, you read that right! 

Forget complex apps and dedicated gaming consoles for a moment. Google Search transforms into a mini Pokémon adventure, offering a unique and nostalgic experience for fans of all ages. 

But how does it work, and what Pokémon are waiting to be discovered?

Unlock Your Thinking: Mastering Mind Maps with Google NotebookLM

Unlock Your Thinking: Mastering Mind Maps with Google NotebookLM

Google NotebookLM offers a powerful mind mapping feature that transforms how you synthesize information. This Cool Tip provides a guide to using this tool, enhancing productivity and understanding.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 20, 2025

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a mountain of information, struggling to connect the dots and extract meaningful insights? 

Do you wish there were a tool that could help you visually organize your thoughts and ideas, turning chaos into clarity? 

In today's fast-paced world, efficient information processing is more critical than ever. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google NotebookLM to Create Mind Maps!

Google NotebookLM is stepping up to the challenge with its innovative mind mapping feature. 

This powerful tool is designed to help users synthesize information, brainstorm effectively, and unlock their creative potential.