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Gemini now populates the sidebars and panels of all Google apps. What actually appears and how it is used today


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In 2025, Gemini has become an integrated and increasingly visible presence within the Google ecosystem, from desktop apps to mobile versions.

Its interface adapts to the context and platform, providing practical features that help save time and automate repetitive tasks...

In Gmail, the presence of Gemini differs between the web version and the mobile app.

On Gmail web, Gemini appears as a sidebar panel on the right side of the screen. Here you find quick suggestions, pre-set chips, the ability to summarize conversations, generate draft replies, offer actions like “Clean up inbox,” and other contextual options. After generating a response, you can insert the text directly into a draft or as a new email. In long conversations, the panel offers automatic summary features, while in the general mailbox view, it allows you to search among emails and attachments using natural language prompts.


In the Gmail app for Android and iOS, the purple Gemini star appears next to the search bar. Tapping the icon opens a panel at the bottom of the screen where you can freely enter a text prompt. Currently, there are no quick chips, pre-set suggestions, or automatic summary cards. The only function always available is the “Insert a prompt here” field, where you can type any request. Gemini’s responses appear directly within this box and can be copied or reused. Access to more advanced features, such as automatic email summaries and quick reply generation, requires a Workspace or Google One AI Premium plan and is rolling out gradually.


In Docs, the side panel recognizes context and offers custom rewrites with quick insertion buttons.

In Google Docs desktop, Gemini appears in a right sidebar. When you select text, the “Context” menu lets you switch between selection and the whole document, offering suggestions such as “Make this paragraph friendlier” or “Rewrite as a bullet list.” After generating the response, you can insert or replace text with a single click. If you request image creation, the panel shows thumbnails you can insert directly into the document.


In Sheets, the sidebar suggests charts, formula explanations, and automatic data summaries.

The Gemini sidebar in Google Sheets offers dynamic prompts like “Identify trends” or “Create a line chart” when you select a range of cells. After generation, you can insert the chart or a pivot table directly. If you enter a request such as “Explain this formula,” the panel provides a detailed explanation in natural language, making complex calculations easier to understand.


In Slides and Drive, the column enables generation of slides, images, and quick file operations.

In Google Slides, the Gemini panel lets you create new slides on request, view graphic previews, generate images, and quickly insert content. In Google Drive, the sidebar includes the “@Source” selector to limit searches to specific files or folders and provides actions like “Export to Docs” or “Create new file” while staying in the current view.


The new “Gem” menu allows access to your personalized agents directly from the sidebar.

Since July 2025, the top of the Gemini sidebar features the “Gem” menu, which shows your personalized AI agents. Each Gem has an icon, a short description, and the option to pin it for quick access. You can create new agents and use them in any document or suite app.


In Meet, Android, and Wear OS, the panel becomes an always-accessible overlay.

During Meet video meetings, the Gemini button activates a floating box offering quick prompts like “Summarize the meeting” or “Take notes for me,” exporting the minutes to Google Docs. On Android devices, especially Pixel, Gemini can remain visible as an overlay above any app. On Wear OS, notifications become interactive and manageable via voice commands.


Availability: most core features are already active, with some updates still rolling out.

The features described are accessible for those using a Google Workspace or Google One AI Premium plan. Some new features, such as video generation or the “Live” overlay on foldable devices, are rolling out progressively. Full distribution of new options may still take a few weeks after the global announcement.


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