All posts tagged: Docs

I stopped using Google Docs on mobile after finding this free Microsoft Office alternative

I stopped using Google Docs on mobile after finding this free Microsoft Office alternative

Published by skeptic

Microsoft Office may be one of the best ways to deal with documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, but it clearly isn’t the only option. People have been looking for Microsoft Office alternatives for a while, and different options appeal in different ways: better privacy, compatibility, or features. I often feel I am not paying Microsoft enough, but that hasn’t stopped me from looking for viable alternatives. However, I have found something problematic with almost all Microsoft Office alternatives: the editing experience in their mobile apps. For what it’s worth, the Android and iOS apps for Microsoft Office do a decent job of letting us edit documents with ease. However, things change quite drastically when we consider the alternatives to Microsoft Office. Related You Can Now Use Microsoft Office for Free, but There’s a Catch Microsoft 365 is now free on your PC, but there are some limitations. Mobile editing on most Office alternatives is still frustrating The gap between desktop and mobile is wider than it should be Alvin Wanjala/MakeUseOfCredit: Alvin Wanjala/MakeUseOf Let’s take Google Docs, for …

Google Docs has a hidden audio feature that’s changed how I proofread

Google Docs has a hidden audio feature that’s changed how I proofread

Published by skeptic

Proofreading your own writing is notoriously difficult because your brain automatically fills in the gaps and skips over obvious errors. You can read a specific paragraph five times and still miss a glaring typo or a clunky transition. Thanks to text to speech tools and now AI, I use another time-saving shortcut. It started with a few proofreading Microsoft Word hacks. Now, a neat tool within Google Workspace is making proofreading more enjoyable. Google Docs Listen to this audio feature, powered by Gemini, reads your text out loud. Accessibility is one part; it also gives you fresh ways to engage with your content while leaning back in your writing chair. Keep in mind that this tool currently works only on desktop devices and supports English text. Catching awkward phrasing is easier Hear your words out loud to spot mistakes You can easily access the Listen to this tab option by navigating to the Tools menu and selecting Audio. There are other ways to access it as you can see in the screenshots. This accessibility tool …

“Damning evidence”: Trump’s DOJ shares memo alleging Trump took docs related to business interests

“Damning evidence”: Trump’s DOJ shares memo alleging Trump took docs related to business interests

Published by Sam Flores

President Donald Trump allegedly took classified documents relating to his private business interests in 2021, according to a memo provided to the House Judiciary Committee by the Department of Justice. The documents show evidence gathered by special counsel Jack Smith, who led multiple investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents. An FBI raid later on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence  found a trove of classified materials, including a large collection in a bathroom. “Trump possessed classified documents pertinent to his business interests — establishing a motive for retaining them,” according to a 2023 “progress memo” from Smith’s team, reviewed by MS NOW. “We must have those documents.” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the House Judiciary Committee’s ranking member, said the mistaken release of files was the result of a “frenzied search” by the DOJ to come up with evidence against Smith prior to him testifying before Congress in January regarding his 2023 indictment of Trump. “You have, quite amazingly, missed the fact that some of the documents you provided include damning evidence about your boss’s conduct,” Raskin wrote in …

Integrate NotebookLM Research into Docs & Sheets Fast in 2026

Integrate NotebookLM Research into Docs & Sheets Fast in 2026

Published by skeptic

NotebookLM is a highly effective system for organizing research data, but its lack of direct integration with Google Drive can pose challenges for users who rely on Google Docs and Sheets for document creation and data management. Paul Lipsky demonstrates how to bridge this gap using Gemini Gems, an AI-driven solution that connects NotebookLM notebooks with Google’s productivity suite. For instance, by linking a Gem to a specific notebook, you can automatically transfer structured data into pre-designed templates in Docs or Sheets, streamlining workflows like overview writing or budget tracking. Explore how to set up Gemini Gems and use them to automate tasks such as creating travel itineraries, drafting study guides, or managing financial data. You’ll also gain insight into advanced features like multi-notebook support and custom output formatting, which allow for greater flexibility and efficiency. This step-by-step guide provides the practical knowledge you need to enhance your productivity and simplify your processes. Understanding NotebookLM & Google Drive Integration TL;DR Key Takeaways : NotebookLM and Google Drive lack native integration, but Gemini Gems bridge this …

Gemini in Google Drive: AI Search, Docs, Sheets, Slides

Gemini in Google Drive: AI Search, Docs, Sheets, Slides

Published by skeptic

Google has introduced significant updates to its AI ecosystem, focusing on enhancing productivity and creativity across platforms like NotebookLM, Pomelli and Gemini in Google Drive. Paul Lipsky highlights how these updates bring practical improvements, such as NotebookLM’s new ability to shuffle flashcards for varied learning and its support for EPUB uploads, which allows users to interact with eBooks directly. These changes aim to streamline workflows for students, educators and professionals, offering tailored solutions for organizing and presenting information effectively. Explore how these updates can elevate your daily tasks with features like Gemini’s AI-powered search, which delivers precise answers and cites relevant documents, or Pomelli’s virtual photo shoots that generate professional-quality images from a single upload. You’ll also gain insight into how automated document creation in Google Docs and interactive spreadsheet conversions in Google Sheets simplify complex processes. These enhancements provide actionable ways to save time and improve efficiency, making them valuable for a wide range of users. Latest Google GeminiUpdates TL;DR Key Takeaways : Google has introduced updates to its AI tools, including NotebookLM, Pomelli …

Google upgrades Gemini for Workspace allowing it to pull data from multiple apps to create Docs, Sheets, Slides and more

Google upgrades Gemini for Workspace allowing it to pull data from multiple apps to create Docs, Sheets, Slides and more

Published by skeptic

Lest you thought Microsoft would have all the fun introducing new AI features for white collar enterprise work this week with its Copilot Cowork announcement yesterday, Google is here to take back the spotlight. The search giant and, increasingly, AI leader today announced a sweeping series of updates to its Gemini AI models embedded into Google Workspace — the productivity suite of cloud-based apps including Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and more. They’re being made available both to individual consumers and enterprises, though you’ll need an AI Pro ($20 per month) or higher subscription plan for the former, and your enterprise will need to be enrolled in the “Gemini Alpha” program and have the features switched on by an administrator. The biggest news: it’s now possible to have Gemini automatically create these file types from a single text prompt and fill them out with information gathered from other files and apps throughout you, the user’s Google Workspace, including emails, chats, files, and the open web via Google Search. By synthesizing information across these disparate apps and …

I Used Google’s New Gemini-Powered ‘Help Me Create’ Tool in Docs. It’s Great at Corporate-Speak

I Used Google’s New Gemini-Powered ‘Help Me Create’ Tool in Docs. It’s Great at Corporate-Speak

Published by skeptic

Google rolled out multiple new AI features today for its core Workspace products: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. These apps now include additional tools powered by Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. The features range from generating entire rough drafts in your Docs to finding information tucked away in the recesses of your Drive. This Google launch is part of a larger trend in 2026, in which major software developers are continuing to bake generative-AI-based features into core user experiences—despite the lingering distaste many in the US have for tools like these. The features are coming first to English-speaking subscribers of Google’s AI Pro and Ultra plans. For Docs, Google added “Help me create,” which attempts to generate full first drafts of your document, from a prompt, by looking at your emails and files, and searching the internet for context. This feature takes the existing “Help me write” feature in the Chrome browser even further and points to a future where humans rely on AI to craft their thoughts and share ideas with others. Sheets and …

Google Workspace CLI brings Gmail, Docs, Sheets and more into a common interface for AI agents

Google Workspace CLI brings Gmail, Docs, Sheets and more into a common interface for AI agents

Published by skeptic

What’s old is new: the command line — the original, clunky non-graphical interface for interacting with and controlling PCs, where the user just typed in raw commands in code — has become one of the most important interfaces in agentic AI. That shift has been driven in part by the rise of coding-native tools such as Claude Code and Kilo CLI, which have helped establish a model where AI agents do not just answer questions in chat windows but execute real tasks through a shared, scriptable interface already familiar to developers — and which can still be found on virtually all PCs. For developers, the appeal is practical: the CLI is inspectable, composable and easier to control than a patchwork of custom app integrations. Now, Google Workspace — the umbrella term for Google’s suite of enterprise cloud apps including Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Sheets, Docs, Chat, Admin — is moving into that pattern with a new CLI that lets them access these applications and the data within them directly, without relying on third-party connectors. The project, …

This free app made me quit Google Docs for good

This free app made me quit Google Docs for good

Published by skeptic

Google’s apps like Docs, Calendar, Photos, and Keep work very well. They’re reliable, familiar, and deeply integrated into daily life. But after using them for years, I started to feel that something was missing. They do their jobs efficiently, yet they don’t always give you full control over how you want your workspace to look or function. The experience feels structured around Google’s system rather than your preferences. Another thing that began to bother me was fragmentation. Why do I need separate apps for writing, note-taking, and scheduling when they’re all parts of the same workflow? On most days, I’m constantly switching between documents, to-do lists, and calendar events. Having them split into three different apps started to feel unnecessary. I had already moved away from Google Photos in search of something that felt more aligned with how I organize my digital life. That shift made me more open to experimenting. Since then, I’ve been actively looking for apps that simplify my use. I wanted tools that focused on their purpose but also adapted to …