01
Desktop voice work
Gemini on macOS can dictate, use screen context and help directly in the active app.
AI Update Guide · May to August 2026Source checked 19 August
Gemini guide
Gemini.
What matters now.
Google’s assistant for multimodal work, connected Google services and increasingly proactive tasks across personal and workspace contexts.
4material changes
100%official sources
1clear product scope
The change log
Recent moments
at a glance
These are the changes most likely to affect everyday work, rather than a complete vendor changelog.
02
A new everyday model
Gemini 3.6 Flash rolls out globally for faster daily tasks and multi-step projects.
03
Scheduled actions
Gemini can now be asked to carry out one-off and recurring tasks later.
The practical guide
Find the change
you need
Search by task or filter by type. Open any card for a practical example, simple start point and its official source.
Showing 4 of 4 changes
ImprovedOfficial source checked01Gemini 3.6 Flash
An upgraded Flash model for everyday work, including analyzing several documents and multi-step projects such as creating a working prototype in Canvas.
What it could do
Upload several customer feedback documents and ask for the recurring barriers, grouped by theme.
Get started
- Open the model dropdown in Gemini
- Choose 3.6 Flash where it is available
- Give the model the files, outcome and criteria for a useful answer
Try this
“Review these documents. Group recurring issues, quote the supporting evidence, and distinguish facts from recommendations.”
Availability: Rolled out globally to Gemini app users
ImprovedOfficial source checked02Gemini Live inside chat
Gemini Live now works within chat, allowing people to move between speaking and typing while Gemini can show useful contextual information and work with connected apps.
What it could do
Talk through a meeting plan, type in a constraint, then ask Gemini to bring the actions together into a clean agenda.
Get started
- Start Gemini Live on a supported Android or iOS device
- Speak naturally, then switch to text when detail matters
- Check any information from connected apps before acting on it
Availability: Rolling out globally on Android and iOS
NewOfficial source checked03Scheduled actions
Gemini can schedule one-off or recurring actions, such as daily summaries or weekly topic updates.
What it could do
Receive a Friday roundup of calendar priorities, relevant unread email and planned actions for the following week.
Get started
- Describe the task and when it should run
- Specify the information sources and the decision it should support
- Review the first result and refine the brief
Try this
“Every Friday at 4pm, prepare a brief of next week’s key calendar commitments and any unread emails that need action. Keep it to five priorities.”
Availability: Google AI Pro and Ultra, plus qualifying Google Workspace plans
NewOfficial source checked04Gemini for macOS works at your cursor
The macOS app can dictate clean text into the active window and, when enabled, use screen context to rewrite, reformat, work with local files or generate images.
What it could do
Highlight a rough email in any desktop app, dictate the intent and ask Gemini to make it clearer and more direct.
Get started
- Install the Gemini macOS app
- Use the Fn key shortcut to dictate
- Enable reasoning only when you are comfortable with the screen context being used
Availability: English on the Gemini macOS app; some capabilities depend on settings
Editorial standard
Useful is not enough.
It must be verified.
Every card is based on the relevant vendor’s own release notes or official product guidance. The check date and access limitations are shown beside it.
Primary source first
Third-party coverage can surface an update, but it never confirms a claim in this guide.
Material change only
We choose changes that alter what a non-technical person can realistically do at work.
Access stated plainly
Plan, device, region and organization restrictions sit beside the practical guidance.