The Gemini web app just got a handy update to its Tools menu, making it easier to navigate all the growing features. Google has added a dedicated Labs section for experimental stuff and included a convenient toggle for Personal Intelligence right there.
If you're using Gemini on the web (at gemini.google.com), you might already see this rolling out. It's starting on the web first, with mobile apps likely to follow soon.
What's New in the Gemini Tools Menu?
The Tools dropdown used to be a single long list of everything Gemini could do, which could feel a bit overwhelming as more capabilities were added. Now, it's neatly split:
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The main Tools section keeps the stable, everyday features like Deep Research, Create images (or videos, depending on your plan), Canvas, Guided Learning, and others tied to your subscription level.
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Below that comes the new Labs section, marked with the classic beaker icon to signal "hey, this is experimental."
This separation helps you quickly find reliable tools while giving experimental ones their own space, less clutter,and clearer expectations.
What Is the New Labs Section?
You'll spot Labs right inside the Tools menu on the web version. It's designed as a home for features still in active development, so you know they might behave a little differently or change over time.
Right now, Labs includes things like:
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Agent (available for higher-tier plans like Ultra)
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Dynamic view (also called Visual layout, accessible to more users for creating immersive, interactive responses with images and modules)
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Personal Intelligence (for paid subscribers)
The idea is simple: stable tools stay front and center, while Labs lets curious users try cutting-edge features without mixing them into the core experience. It's a smart way to organize things as Gemini keeps evolving.
What Exactly Is Gemini Personal Intelligence?
Personal Intelligence is a beta feature that makes Gemini feel more like your personal assistant. It securely connects to your Google apps, things like Gmail, Google Photos, YouTube, and Search, to pull in relevant context and give more tailored answers.
Instead of starting from zero every time, Gemini can reference your own info (with your permission, of course) to make responses more useful. For example:
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Summarizing trip plans by looking at related emails in Gmail
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Pulling details from old photos in Google Photos to help with recommendations
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Recalling YouTube videos you've watched to suggest related content or build on topics
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Offering better suggestions for planning, shopping, or follow-ups based on your activity patterns
It's powerful for complex or ongoing tasks, but it's completely optional and starts off by default. @GeminiApp shared on X introducing a more personal version of Gemini, designed to offer a more tailored experience for users.
How the Personal Intelligence Toggle Work?
One of the nicest parts of this update is the new toggle in the Tools menu: "Personalize chat when helpful." It lets you decide, right in the middle of a conversation, whether Gemini should use your connected app data for that specific chat.
It's on by default (so personalization kicks in when useful), but you can flip it off if you want a more generic response, maybe for a quick general question or if you're being extra cautious about data in that moment.
Important note: This toggle is conversation-specific. It resets to on when you start a new chat, so you don't have to keep turning it back on manually for every session.
For bigger controls like which apps are actually connected, head to the main Settings > Personal Intelligence > Connected apps area.
Quick steps to get set up or adjust:
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Open Gemini (web or app) and go to Settings.
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Find Personal Intelligence and select Connected apps.
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Choose which ones to link (Gmail, Photos, YouTube, Search, etc.).
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In any chat, use the Tools menu toggle to control it per conversation.
Privacy, Controls, and Who Can Use It
Privacy is built in from the start: connecting apps is opt-in and off by default. You pick exactly what to share, and you can disconnect or turn everything off anytime. Data stays within Google's secure systems, used only to help with your requests, no direct training on your personal info, and responses often cite sources so you can verify.
This is currently rolling out to paid Gemini plans (like Pro or Ultra) in places like the U.S., on personal accounts (not Workspace or business/education ones). It's available across web, Android, and iOS, but check your settings or release notes if it's not showing up yet Google expands these things over time.
Why This Update Is a Win for Regular Users
For anyone who uses Gemini a lot, this makes things cleaner and more controllable. Labs keeps experimental features exciting without overwhelming the main interface, and the quick toggle gives real flexibility over personalization turn it on for deep, context-rich help, off for straightforward answers. It's a nice balance between powerful AI and keeping things private and simple.
Disclaimer
This article describes recent updates to Google's Gemini web app, including the new Labs section in the Tools menu and the Personal Intelligence toggle, based on publicly available information and rollout observations as of early February 2026. Features are in beta or rolling out gradually, may vary by region, plan (e.g., Pro/Ultra), and device, and are subject to change
