Google Gemini turns your Google Docs files into podcasts

Ever thought of turning your Google Docs files into a podcast for some reason? Google Gemini is giving you that opportunity. The app will soon allow you to generate artificial intelligence-powered podcast-like overviews for the key highlights from your documents or have it read your words out loud. If you find it useful to have your writing read back to you, Google will roll out this feature to Workspace accounts in the coming weeks.

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Google Docs gets AI writing coach?

Aside from turning your writing into a podcast, Google Docs uses Gemini to help improve your writing. The app is getting a "help me refine" feature that can share suggestions on how to strengthen your writing, improve its structure, or ensure your key points are clearer. Google says it can also help with formatting consistency. The feature will be available in alpha later this quarter.

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Handwritten annotations arrive in Google Docs for Android users

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Another one of the newer Android updates streamlines document review on your Android device. Google Docs now supports handwritten annotations. Just use your finger or stylus to add handwritten annotations directly in Docs. You can choose from various pen colours and highlighters, making providing feedback fast, flexible, and effortless.

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Google introduces new formatting sidebar for Docs, Sheets, & Slides

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Google ditches the clunky toolbar for some of its tablet-based productivity apps. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides on Android slates now boast a streamlined formatting sidebar for effortless document styling. You can access essential options like line spacing, columns, and clear formatting with fewer taps and more clarity. No more hunting for settings—the sidebar stays put even as you type, letting you focus on your creative flow. This update brings the Android experience closer to the web, giving you desktop-level control on the go. 

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