eNews
Google lets users change Gmail usernames without losing data
MUMBAI: Google has begun rolling out a long-awaited feature that allows users to change their primary @gmail.com address without creating a new account or losing years of stored data, purchases and history. The update marks a sharp break from Google’s earlier stance, which treated Gmail usernames as permanent.
According to updated support documentation, eligible users can now replace their existing @gmail.com address with a new one, while keeping all services intact, including Google Drive, Photos and purchase records. The old address is not discarded; it is automatically converted into an alias, ensuring emails sent to either address land in the same inbox and both credentials remain valid for sign-in.
The company has built in guardrails to curb misuse. Users can change their Gmail address only once every 12 months, though they can revert to the original address at any time. Google has also cautioned that third-party services using “sign in with Google”, as well as Chromebooks and Chrome Remote Desktop, may require re-authentication after the switch.
The feature is being released gradually and may not yet be visible to all users. Those wishing to check eligibility can do so via the personal information section of their Google Account settings. Accounts managed by employers, schools or other organisations are excluded unless approved by administrators.
(Note: The cover image provided is AI-generated and is used for representational purposes only.)
eNews
Gracenote renews Google partnership to power AI discovery
Multi-year deal brings trusted entertainment data to Google’s AI experiences
MUMBAI: Metadata is getting a fresh lease of life as Gracenote and Google tune up their long-running partnership for the AI era. The Nielsen-owned data specialist has renewed its agreement with the tech giant, aiming to make entertainment search and discovery smoother, smarter and more intuitive across Google’s consumer services.
Under the multi-year deal, Gracenote’s curated metadata will continue to feed Google’s platforms, ensuring users receive accurate, up-to-date information about films, shows and sports. The collaboration also extends to Google’s AI-driven experiences, where structured content data is becoming the backbone of smarter recommendations and richer results.
Gracenote CEO Jared Grusd, said the partnership is designed to make it easier for audiences to find what they want to watch. He noted that the company’s carefully structured and human-verified data helps power more intuitive, AI-led content discovery, adding that the renewed deal marks a significant step towards better consumer experiences worldwide.
Gracenote’s data engine combines editorial expertise with machine-driven workflows and human oversight. The company says this approach allows it to maintain one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of entertainment metadata, which has supported content discovery and user interfaces across the industry for decades.
With more viewers leaning on AI-powered search and recommendations, both companies see the partnership as a way to keep entertainment information organised, accurate and easy to navigate. In short, as algorithms take centre stage, it is the backstage data that keeps the show running smoothly.
