Google Calendar's new feature uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help users reach their personal goals including those related to fitness and skills. The Goals feature that was announced by Google on April 12, Tuesday is available for Android and iOS devices, and helps people fit gym workouts and morning jogs into their daily schedules. It does this by finding free time in the Calendar mobile app.
The new feature works by allowing users to set goals for exercising and new skills, or make time to relax. Then after users set the frequency per week, and preferred time of day the app blocks a free window on the calendar to help stay on track to reach goals, according to ABC News.
Personal goals will get reschedules if there is a conflict or if the user wants to move the "me time" to a new slot.
Calendar's new tool is helpful when it seems there are not enough hours in the day. Google product manager Jyoti Rammnath explained in a blog post that the feature will improve over time as it learns users' scheduling preferences, according to Greenbot. For example, if users keep moving their gym workouts or language lessons to a later time Calendar can figure out that they prefer the events to take place in the evening.
This new feature is one of Google's new services that uses machine learning to anticipate users' needs. The Alphabet company's goal is to use the latest AI to provide an edge over basic calendar apps and keep people in its ecosystem.
The newest update for Google Calendar is available on Google Play Store and Apple's App Store.
In related news, Google's Voice Access app lets users control their smartphones by using their voice. The mobile app is currently being beta tested.
Mobile users can use voice commands including "Tap go back" and "Go home." They can also place numbered labels on key buttons to use their voice to tap on any button.
The function of Voice Access is to allow disabled users who cannot hold their phones to operate it by giving voice commands. They can get the app by enrolling in the beta and then downloading the mobile app.