🤖 One Cool Tip AI Companion

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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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ChatGPT Pinned Chats: Keep Your Most Important Conversations Front and Center

ChatGPT Pinned Chats: Keep Your Most Important Conversations Front and Center

 

Ever lose track of a critical ChatGPT conversation right when you need it most? Pinned Chats brings order to your AI workspace by letting you lock essential threads in place so they are always one click away.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 20, 2025

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If you use ChatGPT daily for work, learning, or creative projects, your chat list probably grows faster than you expect. 

Important threads sink as new ones pile up. 

Here's a Cool Tip: Pin Chats in ChatGPT.

Pinned Chats aims to fix that simple but costly productivity problem by letting you anchor key conversations at the top of your chat list.

👾 Escape Reality - OCT Newsletter 12-19-2025

 👾 Escape Reality - OCT Newsletter 12-19-2025

Unleash your digital potential with the latest One Cool Tip Newsletter! 

This edition features exciting updates on streaming the Oscars on YouTube, a major upgrade to ChatGPT's image generation, and a unique interactive experience at Floor 796. 

Don’t miss out on ways to enhance your tech-savvy lifestyle!

Click HERE for the Newsletter

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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!

#DigitalInnovation #TechUpdates #AI #InteractiveExperience

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Explore Floor 796: The Internet’s Most Delightful Where’s Waldo for Tech Culture

Explore Floor 796: The Internet’s Most Delightful Where’s Waldo for Tech Culture

A playful, endlessly detailed interactive scene that turns scrolling into discovery and curiosity into joy.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 19, 2025

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What if the internet felt less like a feed and more like a puzzle you wanted to solve? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Explore Floor 796!

Floor 796 answers that question with a single sprawling illustration that rewards patience, curiosity, and sharp eyes, all without asking for an account, a download, or your attention span.

New Adaptive Power in iOS 26

New Adaptive Power in iOS 26

Apple’s new Adaptive Power mode in iOS 26 quietly reshapes how your iPhone manages energy throughout the day. It promises longer battery life with fewer compromises, especially when your phone senses heavy use ahead.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 18, 2025

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Have you ever watched your iPhone battery plunge faster than expected on a busy day and wished it would adapt before things got critical? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Turn On Adaptive Power on the iPhone.

Instead of waiting for you to flip on Low Power Mode, your iPhone now makes proactive adjustments based on how you actually use it.

🪟 Make Windows 11 Feel New Again - OCT Newsletter 12-17-2025

 🪟 Make Windows 11 Feel New Again - OCT Newsletter 12-17-2025

Discover the latest in desktop customization with new Windows 11 themes featured in the One Cool Tip Newsletter! 

Personalization enhances productivity and comfort, making your workspace feel truly yours. 

Discover curated themes available directly from the Microsoft Store for easy installation and a cohesive aesthetic. 

Learn more about how to personalize your digital experience today! 

Click HERE for the Newsletter

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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.

One Cool Tip

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Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Windows11 #DesktopCustomization #TechSavvy #Productivity

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New Windows 11 Themes Bring Personal Style to the Microsoft Store

New Windows 11 Themes Bring Personal Style to the Microsoft Store

Windows 11 is getting more personal. Microsoft has introduced a new wave of curated themes in the Microsoft Store, making it easier to customize your PC with just a few clicks.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 17, 2025

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When you sit down at your PC every day, does it feel like yours or just another generic desktop?

Microsoft is betting that personalization matters more than ever, especially as work and home computing continue to blur. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the Microsoft Store for New Windows 11 Themes.

With new Windows 11 themes now available directly in the Microsoft Store, Microsoft is reframing desktop customization as a first-class experience rather than a hidden settings tweak.

Talk to Mr. Darcy? How NotebookLM Brings Jane Austen to Life

Talk to Mr. Darcy? How NotebookLM Brings Jane Austen to Life

Ever wished you could ask a question about Pride and Prejudice and get an instant, citation-backed answer? Google's NotebookLM makes it possible by turning classic literature into an interactive AI experience.

Fun Fact: Today is Jane Austen's Birthday She is best known for her novels about the lives of landed-gentry in Regency-era England.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 16, 2025

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Have you ever struggled to remember exactly how Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot rekindled their romance in Persuasion? 

Or perhaps you want to compare the theme of inheritance across all seven of Jane Austen’s novels simultaneously. 

In the past, this required hours of flipping through pages or searching disparate websites. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Ask Jane Austen's book in NotebookLM.

Today, you can simply ask the books. 

Google’s NotebookLM has evolved from a simple note-taking tool into a powerful engine for interacting with massive amounts of text, and a new shared notebook containing the collected works of Jane Austen proves just how game-changing this is for readers, students, and book clubs.

🎨 Make Your Google Docs Look Amazing - OCT Newsletter 12-15-2025

 🎨 Make Your Google Docs Look Amazing - OCT Newsletter 12-15-2025

Discover the latest edition of the One Cool Tip Newsletter! 

This week, we dive into enhancing your Google Docs with stunning cover images, helping you create professional and engaging documents that stand out. 

Plus, stay informed about AI trends in the workplace and protect yourself from job scams. 

Don't miss out! 

Click HERE for the Newsletter

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Have a great tip or tech question?

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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.

One Cool Tip

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Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#GoogleDocs #AI #JobScams #DigitalTransformation

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