Hack of the day: Ask Gemini across your Google apps

'The Times of India' brings you 'Hack of the Day'—a new weekday series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach—from government websites to everyday apps. In simple terms, it's simple fixes for smarter living.'
Juggling information across Gmail, Calendar, Maps, YouTube, and Photos can feel like a daily puzzle. Hotel bookings get buried in emails, meeting times hide inside calendar invites, and directions sit tucked away in Maps. Instead of opening each app separately, Google’s Gemini connected apps feature lets you ask AI-powered questions that pull details directly from your personal Google ecosystem. It’s like having a smart assistant that knows where everything is stored and can surface it instantly.

This hack is especially useful when you’re on the move or multitasking — whether you’re a professional trying to confirm your next meeting, a traveler checking hotel reservations, or someone simply looking for that photo from last summer. By centralizing your queries, Gemini saves time, reduces app-hopping, and helps you act faster with context-driven answers.

How to use Gemini across apps

ul1
• li2Open Gemini: Start with the Gemini app or website.
• li2Check connections: Ensure Gmail, Calendar, Maps, YouTube, and Photos are linked.
• li2Ask specific questions: Examples include “Find my hotel booking” or “What time is my next meeting.”
• li2Follow up with actions: Create a calendar event, get directions, or locate a video.

• • Verify details: Double-check times, addresses, and bookings in the original app before acting.

Careful

This hack is powerful because it uses personal context. Always review connected-app permissions and avoid using Gemini on shared devices to protect your privacy.