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Gmail's making it easier to find that one email you're looking for
Search 'chips' pick up new functionality on the web
In February 2020, Google introduced chips, enhancing search options within Gmail to make it easier to filter your emails and find what you're looking for. Closely following the release of chips on Android, Google is improving the way they work overall.
Gmail for Android gets 'chips,' helping you narrow down search results
The feature was first introduced in Gmail desktop in 2020
Gmail on Android has always felt rather neglected compared to its desktop counterpart. To this date, it isn't possible to set up and change filters for incoming mail in the mobile app, and you can't use custom inboxes. While we've given up on ever seeing this functionality in the app, Google has at least budged to bring a more minor but still useful feature to Gmail on Android. The company shared that you'll soon be able to use search filters in mobile Gmail, dubbed chips.
Google Chat picks up extra filters for search
Live in Android now, coming to iOS and the web in July
The transition from Hangouts to Google Chat was a lot less bumpy than I expected, though it took ages. Now that many of us have moved over, we have a steady influx of new features to look forward to, including today's development. Google is rolling out filters for search in Google Chat to make it easier to find what you need, starting with the Android app.
Telegram adds search filters, anonymous admins, channel replies, and more
Plus there are snazzy new animations throughout the app
Telegram is one of the most popular third-party messaging apps, and for good reason. Along with private end-to-end encryption, the app is always experimenting with new additions like video calling and support for Android 11's chat bubbles. Today the company announced a variety of fresh updates, including search filters, channel comments, admins who can remain anonymous, and more.
WhatsApp's search function has never been great. It does help you find your conversations and certain keywords if you know what you're looking for, but it has always only displayed text as results. WhatsApp wants to change that, as WABetaInfo and our tipster Moshe have spotted. The developers are testing an Advanced Search mode that helps you narrow down your results with specific filters, like text, images, videos, GIFs, audio, and more.
Google is currently testing an expansion of its existing Play Store filters to help find better-rated apps. First spotted by 9to5Google, the change brings a handful of new filtering options that will appear when searching, including a pair of star rating limits and an Editors' Choice-only flag that can help separate the app wheat from the chaff.
Gmail 'chips' now going live, helping you narrow down search results
Gmail search filters, but simplified
Gmail has incredibly powerful search filters, with options to sort messages by the sender, contents, attachments, date, label, and more. However, using these filters can get a little complicated, especially if you're trying to combine several of them with AND/OR operators. Google is trying to make these operators a little friendlier with a new 'chips' feature, which automatically recommends filters under the search bar.
Some users have been seeing these green suggestions when performing a search on the Play Store app for almost a year, but the feature began rolling out more widely in June (I still don't have it). However, it only seemed to provide keywords to further specify your search, not proper filters to separate the results according to price. Now it looks like Google is testing the latter kind.