Google has announced a slew of improvements and enhancements for Apple devices, particularly new capabilities for Google Meet and Gmail mobile app for iPhone and iPad.
The new Google Workspace features provide a home screen widget for Gmail, allowing users to swiftly access, modify, and respond to emails while on the go.
Being launched now Gmail version 6.0.211226, initially announced in November last year, now features a new “Email updates” widget that provides quick access to your emails without opening the complete mobile app – helpful if you’re rushing to a meeting or getting on a train.
According to Google, the new widget will let users see the senders and subject lines of their latest emails immediately on their Home Screen.
It will be added to the current “Quick email actions” home screen feature and will provide users the opportunity to create new emails instantaneously – and will also be accessible in dark mode.
The iOS Gmail widget lacks the versatility of the Android Gmail widget. But, on the other hand, Apple may have some catching up to do when it comes to widgets.
Apple presently does not allow app developers to incorporate any functionality into iOS widgets. So, eliminating that constraint may be the first step the Cupertino team might take to improve iOS widgets.
Another notable innovation is Google Meet’s picture-in-picture mode, which allows users to have numerous applications open and visible while on a video conference session, which might be highly beneficial for business users.
Users of the iPhone and iPad will be able to join into a meeting on their phone in the future, but they will also be capable of passing an email, sharing a document, or simply conducting some more research while the conversation is in progress. Navigating away from Google Meet will minimize the mobile app, which may be adjusted and moved about the Home Screen as desired.
“If you are using Google apps to get work done on your iPhone or iPad, we’re introducing some enhancements to help you stay organized and productive,” said Luke Wroblewski, Google’s Director of iOS, in a blog article.
