Google is making Gmail, Docs and Keep more conversational with new Gemini-powered voice features that allow users to interact with the apps without typing.
The beta features, collectively called “Live”, allow users to use voice commands to search emails, organise notes and create documents.
What can Google’s new voice tools do?
In Gmail, users can ask the AI to find specific emails, compose replies or answer questions based on information in their inbox.
For example, users can ask about details of an upcoming flight mentioned in an email or find out when they last received a response from someone.
Google Keep can also be used for voice-based note-taking. Users can dictate ideas, organise notes and search for information stored in them.
In Docs, the feature can bring together information from services including Gmail, Google Drive and Google Chat, with permission. It can also use information from websites to help create documents through voice instructions.
Who can access the new features?
The Live features are currently being rolled out in beta.
Gmail and Keep Live are available to subscribers of Google’s AI Plus, Pro and Ultra plans, while Docs Live is currently limited to Pro and Ultra subscribers.
Google said the features will also be made available soon to business customers using Google Workspace.
Google is making AI more conversational
Google previewed the voice features at its I/O event in May as part of its wider push to integrate Gemini into its products.
The company says speaking to its apps could make certain tasks faster and more natural than typing searches, instructions or notes.
The new tools point towards a broader change in how people may use everyday productivity apps — with users increasingly able to talk to their inbox, notes and documents instead of typing everything themselves.