Google Calendar’s web client recently got a pretty significant refresh, bringing the app into line with Google’s Material Design 3. The entire app has updated buttons, dialogs, and sidebars to make it “more modern and accessible.” The interface typography has received a custom-designed refresh that adds “highly legible typefaces” to ensure a “fresh feel” while also remaining “legible and clear.”
Google Calendar also now lets users toggle between light mode and dark mode, helping to reduce both battery usage and eye strain. These updates apply to the “entire Calendar web experience.” This includes the task list view, which is nice.
However, Google warns that the update may affect the experience of installed Chrome extensions that are active while using Calendar. The company recommends “contacting the developers of those extensions to report any potential issues.” The new design is rolling out today, but it could take 15 days or more to reach every user. As you know, it’s available to all Google Workspace customers and individual account holders.
It’s the latest update to the Google Calendar experience. The company recently released an app for WearOS. It also launched something called Google Essentials, an all-in-one Windows app that bundles the company’s entire suite of services (including Calendar).
Google is partnering with the Associated Press to bring real-time information from the news agency to its Gemini app, the search giant announced Wednesday. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The deal builds on an existing partnership Google has with the Associated Press to get real-time information for its search engine. “This [Gemini app] will be especially helpful for users who are looking for up-to-date information,” Google said of the deal.
“AP and Google’s longstanding relationship is built on working together to deliver timely, accurate news and information to a global audience,” said Kristin Heitman, senior vice president and chief revenue officer for The Associated Press. “We are pleased that Google recognizes the value of AP’s journalism as well as our commitment to nonpartisan reporting in the development of its generative AI products.”
In 2023, The Associated Press was one of the first news publishers to partner with an AI firm, signing a two-year deal with OpenAI, giving the company access to select news content dating back to 1985. Since then, several other publishers have followed suit with their own agreements.
In fact, just today, Axios announced a three-year deal with OpenAI, under which the AI startup will fund four new local newsrooms. Last year, OpenAI partnered with People publisher Dotdash Meredith, a deal that has since been reported to be worth at least $16 million annually.