This 2025 was full of AI milestones at Google: new models like Gemini, features in Search, photo and video creation, learning tools and much more. Overwhelmed by so much newness? Perfect — here’s a practical guide with the 40 most useful tips to use these tools without making your life harder.
Learn and understand better
If you want to grasp complex topics quickly or go deep, Google rolled out several tools for that. Gemini 3 stands out for multimodal understanding: it accepts text, video and code to explain things with visuals and interactive guides. Studying or working with dense papers? Ask for a visual summary or a step-by-step walkthrough.
Use NotebookLM depending on the need: pick Fast Research for quick lookups and Deep Research for full reports. While Deep Research does its job in the background, you keep working — that speeds your flow.
The Guided Learning feature in the Gemini app is great for homework or learning new skills: it generates study guides, explains concepts with videos and walks you through exercises. And if you like to review, let NotebookLM make flashcards and quizzes.
There are also tools to read better on mobile: the Simplify feature in the Google app for iOS turns dense text into easier versions without leaving the page. Isn’t that what we all need when language gets technical?
Explore the world with less friction
Planning a trip or heading out by car and want it simple? In Search with AI Mode and Gemini 3 you can ask for interactive simulators: for example, a loan calculator with customized inputs to compare long-term options. No more manual spreadsheets.
For travel, use Flight Deals by describing in natural language what you want — flexible dates, preferred weather, food preferences — and let the system find the best offers. Prefer to keep everything in one place? Create a Canvas in AI Mode for your itinerary.
Collect ideas from screenshots? Google Maps now recognizes names in your screenshots and helps you save them to lists. And with Circle to Search you get quick contextual answers without switching apps.
Unleash creativity
Want to transform photos, animate them or create an illustrated book? Ask Google Photos for edits in plain language: "erase the fence" or "fix the smile" and done. In the Create tab there are templates, Remix and Photo to Video for ready-to-share content.
If you edit images with Lens in the Google app, look for Create mode (the yellow icon, Nano Banana) to edit from prompts. And if you don’t have a full-body photo to try clothes on, upload a selfie: Nano Banana can generate a full version for the virtual fitting room.
For video and filmmaking, try Flow and the Veo video-generation model. Combine meta prompting with Gemini to refine instructions and get more precise results. Want something playful? Request a 10-page illustrated book with art and audio generated by Gemini.
Daily tasks and automations
AI is already getting practical: one-handed gestures on Pixel Watch 4 (double pinch or wrist turn) to control notifications and alarms without touching the screen. Raise to Talk activates Gemini on the watch without saying "Hey Google."
At home, Ask Home lets you create voice automations with Gemini for Home 1: for example, "turn on lights and lock doors at sunset" and the automation is ready.
For calls, agentic AI in Search can call local businesses for you — ask about stock or discounts — and Take a Message on Pixel 10 transcribes and suggests next steps after missed calls.
Having technical problems? Use Gemini Live with camera input to show the issue in real time and receive diagnostics and step-by-step fixes.
Smarter shopping, translation and search
Shop conversationally: in AI Mode you can describe what you’re looking for instead of using filters. Say "barrel jeans not too baggy" and get relevant options you can refine instantly.
Circle to Search now translates as you scroll: long-press, select Translate and turn on "scroll and translate" to read pages and apps without interruptions.
Also, Gemini in Chrome works across multiple tabs: it compares and summarizes scattered information to consolidate itineraries, purchases or research so you don’t get lost between windows.
Productivity and work
Nano Banana Pro in Mixboard turns boards into attractive presentations. NotebookLM can transform notes into narrated videos using visual styles like Watercolor or Whiteboard for quick presentations.
In Gmail, when you need to coordinate a meeting, the Help me schedule button suggests times based on your calendar and the email context. In Sheets, use the =AI function to categorize feedback, summarize reviews or write copy directly in cells.
If you work in research, connect Deep Research with your Google Workspace account to include context from Gmail, Drive and Chat in your reports: more context, less copy-paste.
Tips to use these tools without losing control
The tools are powerful, but the best AI is the one that makes you more effective, not the one that does everything for you.
- Start with simple prompts and add context only when you need precision.
- Create and share Gems to standardize repetitive tasks across your team or family.
- Review automatic suggestions: many are useful, but confirming avoids mistakes, especially on legal or financial topics.
2025 was an intense year for practical features. The most valuable thing isn’t novelty, but how you integrate these tools into your routine: to study better, travel easier, create without barriers and free up time for what matters.