Google Docs introduces Material 3 Progress Indicator with modifications, updates
Google has rolled out Material 3 Expressive updates for its suite of productivity apps, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The changes focus on enhancing the editor interface with new visual components and interaction refinements.
The latest updates include a circular, wavy-shaped progress indicator that appears while waiting for documents to load, signaling progress. This indicator is a prominent addition to the editor UI, replacing older progress indicators.
Pill-shaped buttons have been introduced throughout the editor UI, replacing previous designs. These buttons utilize Google's Dynamic Color theming, and can be seen in sharing buttons and the checkmark that appears when you finish editing. The Format sheet, which slides up, now uses pill-shaped dropdown menus instead of the older rounded rectangular style.
A notable addition is the introduction of the split button component for managing bulleted and numbered lists. The separate menu button spins when activated but does not morph in shape.
These changes are part of a gradual rollout focused on the editing screens, with the apps' homepages yet to be updated with these Material 3 Expressive elements.
The updates apply to the editor interface of the apps, not the homepage. Google Docs for Android has finally fixed the search-status bar bug, but no specific information about changes to the split button component or the separate menu button for the split button in Google Docs for Android was provided.
In addition, Google is enhancing AI-driven features in Workspace apps, like expanded context windows for Gemini AI in Google Drive PDFs. However, these are separate from the Material 3 Expressive UI updates.
Gemini is coming to Google Docs for Android, providing more helpful, comprehensive responses and improved analysis. The context window translates to 1,500 pages of text.
Google Vids, Google's video editing app, adds AI avatars as part of its updates. Meanwhile, Gmail is getting personalized smart replies.
These changes align with Google's broader Material 3 Expressive design rollout that includes updated containers, containers with more prominent shapes, Dynamic Color theming, and refreshed UI elements, aiming to modernize and unify the experience across Workspace apps. However, some users note the changes are visually subtle and not as bold as initially anticipated.
[1] TechCrunch Article
[2] 9to5Google Article
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