Gemini Can Read Aloud Google Docs with New “Audio” Feature

Gemini Can Read Aloud Google Docs with New “Audio” Feature

Google is rolling out a Gemini-powered “Audio” option in Google Docs that reads text aloud with natural-sounding voices. This new tool makes it easier to proofread, multitask, and boost accessibility in everyday work.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 21, 2025

Have you ever caught a mistake in your writing only after hearing it out loud? 

That’s about to get much easier. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Docs' new Audio feature.

Google Docs' new Gemini-powered “Audio” option reads your documents back to you with natural, fluid speech. 

This feature is more than a novelty; it’s a productivity booster, accessibility aid, and even a new way to process information when your eyes are tired from staring at screens all day.

Turn Ideas into Illustrated Stories with Google Gemini

Turn Ideas into Illustrated Stories with Google Gemini

Let Google Gemini help you create charming, illustrated storybooks with just a few prompts.  It's perfect for kids, educators, and creativity lovers.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

August 8, 2025

Picture this: your child is going off to kindergarten soon and she is feeling anxious. 

What if you could whip up a custom book where a friendly kitten goes to kindergarten on her first day, complete with pictures and a voice that reads it aloud?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Create Storybooks with Google Gemini.

What You'll Gain

• Turn a single sentence into a full illustrated storybook
• Access free AI-generated art and narration
• Engage your children or classroom with custom tales

Ready to Become an AI-Powered Storyteller?

Google Photos' Ask Photos Gets a Powerful Brain Boost

Google Photos' Ask Photos Gets a Powerful Brain Boost

Tired of endless scrolling to find that one photo? Google Photos' enhanced Ask Photos, powered by Gemini AI, is rolling out to more users, transforming how you interact with your visual memories and making complex searches remarkably simple.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 22, 2025

Remember those days when finding a specific photo in your ever-growing digital archive felt like searching for a needle in a haystack? 

You’d scroll endlessly, trying every keyword imaginable, often giving up in frustration. 

Whether it’s that snapshot of a crucial whiteboard session, a particular plant you saw on vacation, or a group photo from a long-forgotten event, our photo libraries have become vast, unwieldy digital beasts.

Transform Still Photos into Dynamic Videos with Veo 3 in Gemini

Transform Still Photos into Dynamic Videos with Veo 3 in Gemini

Ready to bring your static images to life? Discover how Google's Veo 3, integrated into Gemini, is revolutionizing video creation, allowing you to generate compelling, short video clips from your favorite photos in seconds.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 13, 2025

Remember that feeling of flipping through a photo album, wishing you could see the moment unfold, not just a frozen frame? 

Or perhaps you've got a fantastic drawing that just begs to dance, or a scenic landscape that would be breathtaking with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves. 

For years, turning still images into engaging video required complex software, a steep learning curve, and a good chunk of your valuable time. 

But what if I told you that barrier has crumbled? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Veo 3 to Make Your Photographs Come Alive.

Welcome to the future of content creation, right within Google Gemini, powered by its latest video generation model, Veo 3.

 

How to Use Google Gemini to Summarize a Video Like a Pro

How to Use Google Gemini to Summarize a Video Like a Pro

Spend less time watching and more time acting—learn how Google Gemini can swiftly break down video content into crisp summaries and timestamped insights.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 12, 2025

Ever wished you could skip ahead to the good part without wading through an hour of chatter?

You're not alone. 

Whether prepping for a meeting, lesson, or research session, time's the enemy and sifting through video feels incredibly slow. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Gemini to Analyze and Summarize YouTube videos.

That’s where Google Gemini’s video summarization feature proves smarter than streaming.

What You'll Gain

• Save time by skipping irrelevant video sections
• Boost focus with structured summaries and instant access to key moments
• Improve productivity with quick extraction of actionable info

Gemini Live Rolls Out Real‑Time Captions: Speak Quietly, Read Loud

Gemini Live Rolls Out Real‑Time Captions

Gemini Live now adds live captioning on Android and iOS.  It's ideal for silent spaces or noisy environments where you’d rather read the AI response than listen.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 26, 2025

Ever tried chatting with a voice assistant in a quiet library or during a meeting? 

You likely hit mute or whispered prompts—only to find Gemini Live wouldn’t even start if the phone was silent. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Gemini Live Captions.

Try this subtle hack: tap a new captions button and Gemini speaks through text instead of sound. 

It’s a small tweak with a big practical upside.

Wake Up to AI That Works for You: Gemini Scheduled Actions Boost Productivity

Wake Up to AI That Works for You: Gemini Scheduled Actions Boost Productivity

With Gemini Scheduled Actions, Google turns its AI into an on‑demand assistant by handling daily summaries, reminders, and creative prompts on your schedule.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

June 22, 2025

Ever wish you could automate your morning routine? 

Imagine waking up to a personalized summary of your calendar, emails, and weather without lifting a finger. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Google Gemini Scheduled Actions.

Google’s new Scheduled Actions for its Gemini AI does exactly that, making repetition disappear like a morning alarm that never stops buzzing.

Google Gemini Goes Live

Google Gemini Goes Live

Discover how Gemini Live's new camera and screen-sharing capabilities transform your smartphone into an interactive AI assistant, offering real-time assistance for tasks ranging from troubleshooting to planning.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 3, 2025

Imagine pointing your phone at a malfunctioning appliance and receiving immediate, step-by-step repair guidance. 

Or sharing your screen during a meeting to get real-time insights from an AI assistant.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try the New Google Gemini Live feature.

 This level of interactive assistance is now a reality with Gemini Live's latest features, 

What is Gemini Live?

Gemini Live is Google's advanced AI assistant, now enhanced with camera and screen-sharing functionalities. 

Powered by Project Astra, these features allow Gemini to process visual information, enabling it to provide context-aware assistance in real time.

What You'll Gain:

• Visual Assistance: Receive help by showing Gemini what's on your screen or in your environment.
• Enhanced Productivity: Streamline tasks with real-time, context-aware support.
• Seamless Integration: Easily incorporate Gemini Live into your daily workflow on Android and iOS devices.

Save Your Screenshots to Google Maps

Save Your Screenshots to Google Maps

Google Maps now lets you turn screenshots into saved locations using AI. No more digging through your camera roll—just snap, review, and save.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 27, 2025

Ever Screenshot a Place and Forget Why?

You're scrolling through Instagram, spot a cozy café in Paris, and screenshot it for your upcoming trip. 

Weeks later, that image is buried among memes and receipts. 

Sound familiar? 

Here's a Cool Tip: Save Your Screenshots to Google Maps.

Google Maps' latest feature, powered by Gemini AI, ensures those spontaneous captures become organized, actionable travel plans.

What Is the Feature and Why It Matters

Google Maps' new capability scans your screenshots for recognizable place names and prompts you to save them directly within the app. 

This transforms your casual captures into structured lists, streamlining trip planning and ensuring no location is forgotten.

Gemini in Chrome: Google’s AI Assistant Now Built Into Your Browser

Gemini in Chrome: Google’s AI Assistant Now Built Into Your Browser

Google’s Gemini AI is now seamlessly integrated into Chrome, offering real-time, context-aware assistance directly within your browser.  Learn how this powerful tool can streamline your workflow, enhance productivity, and transform your browsing experience.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 24, 2025

AI Assistance, Right Where You Work

Imagine reading a dense research article and instantly getting a concise summary without leaving the page. 

Or comparing product specs across multiple tabs with a single command. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Gemini in Chrome.

With Gemini now embedded in Chrome, these scenarios are not just possible—they're effortless.

Google's latest integration brings AI assistance directly into your browser, revolutionizing how we interact with web content.

What Is Gemini in Chrome?

Gemini in Chrome is Google's AI assistant built directly into the Chrome browser. 

Unlike standalone AI tools, Gemini operates within your current browsing context, providing real-time assistance based on the content you're viewing. 

Whether you're summarizing articles, clarifying complex concepts, or comparing information across tabs, Gemini is designed to enhance your productivity without disrupting your workflow.

Google Unleashes Gemini 2.5 Pro: Advanced AI Now Free for All Users

Google Unleashes Gemini 2.5 Pro: Advanced AI Now Free for All Users 

Google's most powerful AI model, Gemini 2.5 Pro, is now accessible to everyone at no cost. Here's how to leverage its advanced capabilities for your projects.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

April 22, 2025

Are you ready to experience the next leap in AI technology? 

What if you could harness the power of a model that not only understands your requests but also reasons through them like a human?

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New Gemini 2.5 Pro.

In a surprising move, Google has made its latest and most advanced AI model, Gemini 2.5 Pro (Experimental), available to all users for free. 

Previously exclusive to Gemini Advanced subscribers, this rollout democratizes access to cutting-edge AI capabilities. 

Gemini 2.5 Pro excels in complex reasoning, coding, and multimodal tasks, positioning itself as a formidable tool for developers, researchers, and creatives alike.​

What Is Gemini 2.5 Pro?

5 Things to Never Tell an AI—And 5 Things You Should

5 Things to Never Tell an AI—And 5 Things You Should

Knowing what to tell an AI can make your interactions more effective—and safer. This Cool Tip breaks down what to avoid and what to share to get the most from your favorite digital assistant.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

April 5, 2025

Are you saying too much to your AI?

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into our daily lives—helping us write emails, generate travel itineraries, and even manage finances—it’s easy to forget we’re speaking to a machine. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Be Careful What You Tell an AI.

Unlike your closest confidant, an AI doesn't forget, and it may not always be as secure as you'd think. 

Do you know the risks? 

Or the rewards?

Whether you're using ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, or any number of AI-powered tools, your prompts matter. 

Here’s how to be smart about what you never say—and what you should.

Google Gemini's New Audio Overview Brings Documents to Life

Google Gemini's New Audio Overview Brings Documents to Life

Google's Gemini Audio Overviews transforms documents into spoken summaries, enhancing accessibility and saving time. This Cool Tip explores how to use this feature and its benefits.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 25, 2025

Feeling overwhelmed by online information? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the new Google Gemini Audio Overview.

Google Gemini's Audio Overviews use AI to condense web content into listenable summaries. 

Imagine grasping the core of an article while commuting or multitasking. 

How does this work, and how can it simplify your information consumption?

What are Gemini Audio Overviews?

Gemini analyzes web pages and creates audio summaries of their main points, presented in a podcast-style format.

Imagine listening to a concise overview of an article, delivered by clear, professional-sounding announcers. 

This lets you absorb information quickly, especially useful for long articles or complex reports. 

The audio is structured to provide a coherent and engaging listening experience, breaking down the key information into easily digestible segments.

Unleashing Your Inner Creator: How to Use the New Canvas in Google Gemini

Unleashing Your Inner Creator: How to Use the New Canvas in Google Gemini

Google Gemini's new Canvas feature transforms the way you interact with AI. It goes beyond simple conversations, empowering you to collaborate with Gemini to create, edit, and refine text and code directly within the platform. 

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 23, 2025

Remember the days of painstakingly switching between different applications, juggling multiple windows, and struggling to maintain context? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New Google Gemini Canvas!

Google Gemini's new Canvas feature aims to eliminate these frustrations. 

It's more than a chatbot; it's a collaborative workspace where you can seamlessly create, edit, and refine text and code alongside Gemini. 

Whether you're a writer, a developer, or simply someone looking to boost their productivity, Canvas offers a unique and powerful approach to interacting with AI.

Personalize Your AI with Google Search History

Personalize Your AI with Google Search History

Discover how connecting Google Gemini to your search history empowers the AI to deliver highly personalized and relevant responses, transforming your digital interactions.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 15, 2025

Have you ever wished your AI assistant understood your unique interests and needs better? 

Imagine an AI that learns from your past searches, providing responses tailored to your specific context. With Google Gemini, that vision is becoming a reality. 

By connecting Gemini to your Google Search history, you unlock a new level of personalization, transforming how you interact with AI.

The Power of Search History in AI Personalization

Your Google Search history is a treasure trove of information that reflects your interests, curiosities, and needs. 

By allowing Gemini to access and analyze this data, you enable the AI to understand your context more deeply. 

This connection empowers Gemini to deliver highly relevant and personalized responses, making your interactions more efficient and insightful.

How to Use Google Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking That Supercharges Your Apps

How to Use Google Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking That Supercharges Your Apps

Explore how Google Gemini 2.0's Flash Thinking is revolutionizing app interactions, allowing seamless integration with YouTube, Search, and Maps, enhancing user experience and productivity.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 2, 2025

Are you ready to experience a new level of app integration? 

What if your AI could seamlessly navigate between your favorite Google apps, providing instant, context-aware assistance? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try Google Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking with Reasoning Across YouTube, Maps and Search.

Imagine asking a question on YouTube and having Google Maps instantly display relevant locations. 

Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking is making this a reality, bridging the gap between isolated apps and creating a unified, intelligent user experience.

Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking represents a significant leap in AI capabilities, allowing for direct, real-time interaction between various Google applications. 

This feature enables contextual awareness, where Gemini can pull information from one app to inform another. 

Google Gemini's Memory Upgrade: A Game-Changer for AI Interaction?

Google Gemini's Memory Upgrade: A Game-Changer for AI Interaction?

Gemini's new upgraded memory feature allows for more personalized and context-aware conversations, mimicking human-like interaction and significantly enhancing user experience.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 18, 2025

Have you ever wished your AI assistant could remember details from your previous conversations?  

Imagine an AI that truly understands your preferences and can seamlessly weave them into ongoing discussions.  

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Google Gemini with Upgraded Memory.

This isn't science fiction anymore. 

Google's Gemini has just received a significant memory upgrade, bringing it closer to that ideal of a truly personalized AI companion. 

This feature, already a popular aspect of ChatGPT, is now poised to revolutionize how we interact with Gemini.  

Google Gemini 2.0: The AI Upgrade You Need to Try Today

Google Gemini 2.0: The AI Upgrade You Need to Try Today

A powerful new AI model is now available to all, promising to revolutionize how we interact with technology.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 11, 2025

Have you ever dreamed of having a super-intelligent assistant at your fingertips, capable of understanding and responding to your needs with unprecedented accuracy?  

Or imagined a world where complex tasks are simplified through the power of artificial intelligence? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Google 2.0.

Google has just announced the widespread availability of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced AI model yet, marking a significant leap forward in democratizing access to cutting-edge technology.

It's a significant upgrade from previous versions, boasting improved performance, efficiency, and accessibility.

Tired of Eye Strain? Google Gemini Has a Solution

Tired of Eye Strain? Google Gemini Has a Solution

Embrace the Night with Gemini's Sleek, Eye-Friendly Interface

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 19, 2025

In today's digital age, where screens dominate our lives, protecting our eyes from excessive blue light exposure is crucial. 

Here's a Cool Tip.  Set Google Gemini to Dark Mode.

Google Gemini, the cutting-edge AI conversational assistant, recognizes this need and offers a user-friendly dark mode that not only reduces eye strain but also enhances the visual appeal of the interface. 

Google Gemini's dark mode is a feature that inverts the color scheme of the interface, transforming the background from light to dark and the text from light to dark. 

Elevate Your Emails with Gemini's New "Polish" Feature in Gmail

Elevate Your Emails with Gemini's New "Polish" Feature in Gmail

Gmail's "Help Me Write" feature now has "Polish," an AI-powered tool that refines your writing to ensure your emails are clear, concise, and make the right impression.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 3, 2024

Frustrated with crafting the perfect email? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Gmail's "Polish" feature.

Google's "Help Me Write" in Gmail has a new trick up its sleeve: Polish. 

This powerful addition uses AI to refine your writing, ensuring your message is clear, concise, and impactful.

Think of "Polish" as your personal email assistant. It analyzes your text and offers intelligent suggestions to enhance your writing. 

Whether you need to sharpen your tone, adjust your style, or simply improve clarity, "Polish" can help.