Google Workspace Updates

Easily find and navigate your Google Chat conversations by organizing them into custom sections

2024-11-21T12:56:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

As we continue to enhance the user experience in Google Chat over the last year, we’re excited to announce that users can now organize Chat conversations into custom sections. A highly requested feature, custom sections are useful for scenarios in which users want similar conversations about a topic or project to be in the same location in the left-hand menu of Chat.

To make a custom section, go to the direct messages or spaces section in Chat > hover over the three dot menu > select Create new section > name the custom section > hit enter. You can add conversations from a direct message or space to a custom section by:

Dragging and dropping it in from another section
Hovering over a conversation > clicking the three dot menu > selecting Move conversation > Move to [Name of the custom section]

Previously the direct messages and spaces sections in the left-hand menu were independent, individually-scrollable lists. With this update, users can navigate specific sections of their conversations by scrolling across all of their sections as one unified conversation list, view top conversations across each section, and find older conversations within each section by expanding via “Show all.”

For each section, users can also:

Modify the size (height) of each section
Reorder a section in the left-hand menu based on preference by moving it up or down
Toggle an unread button ON (or OFF) to instantly find new messages within each section that need their attention
Start a new direct message or space message from the three dot menu next to the unread toggle

In addition, users will now be able to find their Chat apps more quickly with a new dedicated Apps section.

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use it

This complete revamp of the left navigation experience on Chat will help users find messages more easily based on their own organizational preferences.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users:

By default, the conversation list is organized by direct messages, spaces, and apps, with each section set to show active conversations only.
While the new Chat experience is visible on mobile, users can only create and manage sections on the desktop version of chat.google.com or Chat in Gmail.
Visit the Help Center to learn how to use Google Chat.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 21, 2024, with expected completion in early January 2025
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on January 6, 2025

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Google Help: Learn how to use Google Chat

New file picker method for pre-selecting Google Drive files coming soon

2024-11-21T06:49:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Today, Google Drive developers rely on the drive.file scope and the Google Picker API to optimize user experience and safety when creating their applications.

To make it faster and easier for users to provide applications access to specific Drive files, the Google Picker API will introduce a new method to the Class view called setFileIds(fileIds). This method lets application developers present users with a picker that is pre-navigated to the specified file IDs the application is seeking access to, allowing faster consent for your users and a more continuous experience for your application.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
Developers: If you have a user interaction such as a chat interface where a user already provided the FileId that they want to open using your application, you can now provide that FileId via the View class and Google will prompt the user to grant you OAuth access directly to that file or files.
End users: There is no end user setting for this feature.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on January 20, 2025

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Use DLP for Drive to prevent data loss

More ways to get started quickly with building blocks in Google Docs

2024-11-19T14:27:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

For the last few years, users have added building blocks, including custom blocks, to their Google Docs to quickly spin up email drafts, meeting notes, reusable templates and more.

Today, we’re excited to introduce a new collection of building blocks designed to help you manage important business workflows in Docs, including team task management, project tracking, hiring, and more.

Task trackers quickly add and track tasks at a glance with titles, assignees, due dates, and status, in a cleanly organized format. Additionally, users can add their own columns for more personalization, and new tasks with an assignee and title can be synced with Google Tasks individually or by syncing the whole table at once:

Use a Contact list to organize contact information for applicants, sales contacts, team members, project assignments and more. Contact lists offer a structured table format that breaks out critical contact information into glanceable columns that are clear and easier to read:

Decision logs centralize open questions, aid in decision-making, and organize final decisions in an easily-digestible table. With decision logs, teams can quickly align around a single source of truth with clear owners:

Get started with building blocks by clicking the buttons at the top of a newly created document or via Insert > Building blocks. In addition, a new Docs sidebar, accessible by going to Insert > Building blocks > View more or by clicking “More” at the top of a new document, makes it easier to browse, find, and preview building blocks in context:

Lastly, we’re improving table building blocks by adding table title rows, a formatted, full-width row with heading styling. Table title rows allow you to clearly call out a visually appealing table name and saves you time from formatting manually. The new column types will set a data type (dates, dropdown chips, files or people) and provide friendly warnings when table content does not match, ensuring your table data is accurate and organized.

Getting started

Admins: Admins should enable the Google Tasks service bit to ensure tasks are synced for the Task Tracker building block to work.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about inserting smart chips & building blocks in your Google Doc.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 19, 2024, with expected completion by December 5, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 12, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Note: the Task Tracker building block is available to Google Workspace customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers only.

Resources

Google Help: Insert smart chips and building blocks in your Google Doc

Add multiple multimedia files to a single message in Google Chat

2024-11-19T14:11:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Users can currently send & share files such as images, PDFs and videos in Google Chat messages and use the Shared tab to access all conversation-related artifacts including files, links and media. However, only one image can be uploaded in a single Chat message on web at a time.

To improve upon this functionality, provide a highly-requested feature, and match the mobile experience, we’re excited to announce that users can now upload and send up to 20 multimedia files (photos and videos) in one Chat message. Dragging and dropping multimedia files into the compose bar from your desktop is also supported.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: An error message will show if a user exceeds size limits or uploads unsupported file combinations. Visit the Help Center to learn more about sending & sharing files in Google Chat messages.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 19, 2024, with expected completion by December 3, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on December 12, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Google Help: Send & share files in Google Chat messages

Automatic framing is now available to everyone in Google Meet video calls, plus an improved experience when using virtual backgrounds

2024-11-19T10:17:00.000-08:00

Quick summary

In 2022, we introduced automatic framing for select Google Workspace editions. Beginning today, we’re pleased to announce that we’re expanding this functionality to all users, as well as introducing an improved experience while using a virtual background. This feature will be on by default.

Depending on their camera placement, some meeting participants might be less visible than others. With automatic framing, Google Meet will automatically center your video before joining a meeting to help ensure equal visibility for all participants. The automatic framing happens only once, so there are no motion distractions that can divert attention from the content of the meeting. Additionally, Meet will now continuously keep you centered when using a virtual background, ensuring your background is fixed and not constantly reframing which can be distracting.

Meet frames you in the center of the screen to improve your visibility

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: This feature will be ON by default and can be turned off by the user.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning video framing on or off for your account. Note when no virtual background is used, you can manually reframe the video at any time by hovering over your video tile and clicking reframe.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 19, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 2, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Google Help: Improve your video & audio experience

Educators can now request access to third-party apps for their students

2024-11-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

We’re introducing a new workflow that allows educators to request access to unconfigured third-party apps on behalf of their students.

Admins can allow educators and users who are over 18 years of age to request access to apps for themselves or on behalf of others (proxy requests). For example, admins may create a group of trusted users who are responsible for vetting third party apps and allow them to make proxy requests on behalf of students.

Educators can view a list of apps they have recently accessed with their Google Workspace account and request access for their students.

Admins can review and take action on these requests in the Admin console by going to Security > API Controls > App Access Control. Requests will be denoted with a “Proxy” label when the request is made on behalf of another user.

Once admins have configured access, they can opt to notify users and/or users who made proxy requests via email about the outcome of their request.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why it’s important

Administrators can now allow a group of trusted users to vet and request third party app access on behalf of other users. This allows admins to better control who requests access and create a more streamlined process for app approvals.

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing access to unconfigured third-party apps for users designated under the age of 18 and controlling which third-party & internal apps access Google Workspace data.
Educators: Visit the Help Center to learn more about requesting third-party apps access for students.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 19, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus, and the Teaching & Learning Upgrade

Resources

Table reference improvements in Google Sheets

2024-11-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Since introducing tables in Google Sheets, we’ve made numerous improvements to ensure users are equipped with the tools they need to accelerate spreadsheet building. Table references, a way to refer to a table or parts of a table in a formula, are just one example of how tables reduce time spent manually formatting data.

Today, we’re excited to announce updates to table references that enhance discoverability and usability. Specifically, users will now see:

Improved table reference availability, which allows users to reference the items below across both single (e.g., =Table2[[#ALL],[Column 1]]) and multiple columns (e.g., =Table2[[#ALL],[Column 1]:[Column 2]] ):

Full table columns, including column headers, data, and footers (#ALL)
Table headers (#HEADERS)
Table footers (#TOTALS)
Table data, excluding headers and footers (#DATA)

Formula suggestions, which help you identify formulas that could be more robust. For example, if a user types a working formula that overlaps with a table range, a table reference suggestion will show.

Formula corrections for table references, which show a formula correction with a proper table reference when a formula is written incorrectly.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about using table references in Google Sheets.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 19, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 10, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Easily respond to comments and access requests without leaving Google Chat with the auto-installed Google Drive Chat app

2024-11-18T12:31:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Starting this week, the previously introduced Google Drive Chat app will be automatically installed and send you notifications about recent activity in Google Drive documents, such as new comments and share requests. Directly in Chat, you can now:

Reply to or resolve comments in Docs, Sheets and Slides, which includes the ability to mention your colleagues easily while replying.
Choose the appropriate access level (e.g. viewer, commenter, editor) for share requests.
See when you’ve been mentioned in Docs, Sheets or Slides using Chat’s “Mentions” shortcut.
Easily block a sender or report abuse from the Drive Chat app’s notifications when they come from a user outside of your organization.

While this new app will be automatically installed, you can easily manage notifications, mute or uninstall the app at any time by going to the three dot overflow menu.

Getting started

Admins: This feature will be ON by default and can be disabled via the Workspace Marketplace app allowlist at the domain, OU or group level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing the Workspace Marketplace app allowlist for your organization.
End users: This feature will be ON by default and can be disabled by the user. Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing the Google Drive app for your account.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 18, 2024, with expected completion by January 15, 2025

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - November 15, 2024

2024-11-15T11:59:00.000-08:00

New updates

There are no new updates to share this week. Please see below for a recap of published announcements.

Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Upload Google Docs and other file types to Gem instructions

Beginning this week, you can upload reference documents, including Google Docs and Google Sheets via Google Drive, when creating Gems. By adding reference documents to your Gems instructions you can further tailor Gems to meet your specific needs. | Learn more about uploading Docs and other files types to Gem instructions.

Reference your Google Calendar using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail

Users can now ask Gemini in Gmail to perform calendar related actions or answer questions about their calendars. | Learn more about using Gemini in Gmail to reference Calendar.

Respond to conversations without leaving the home view in Google Chat

We’re introducing a split pane in the home view of Chat that allows users to respond directly to a space, group or direct message without ever navigating away from the home view in Chat. | Learn more about replying in Chat home.

Use Gemini in Google Docs to create unique images for your documents

Following our introduction of uploading full-bleed cover images in Google Docs and AI-generated images in Google Slides with help me visualize, we’re launching the ability to create unique inline images and full bleed cover images using Gemini in Docs. | Learn more about using Gemini in Docs to create images.

Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.

Rapid Release Domains:

Scheduled Release Domains:

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains:

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).

Use Gemini in Google Docs to create unique images for your documents

2024-11-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

These new image generation capabilities benefit from our latest image generation model, Imagen 3, our highest quality, text-to-image model. Now you can create photorealistic images of people, landscapes, and more with even better detail than before.

To create inline images for numerous use cases (e.g. a restaurant menu, marketing campaign brief, or promotional flier), simply type your prompt into Create an image, and Gemini in Docs will generate the image based on your instruction. Plus, you can decide the aspect ratio you want the image to be and choose a style like photography, water color and more.

You can further customize your document by creating a unique cover image using Gemini in Docs, which can add flavor to a résumé, stylize an invitation, or personalize a client pitch.

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use it

The ability to generate unique images with Gemini in Docs empowers everyone, regardless of artistic skill, to create differentiated and visually compelling content. Now you can communicate ideas more effectively, without having to tirelessly search for the perfect image.

Additional details

Cover images can only be added to documents set to pageless mode, allowing the image to span the entire width of the document. To set up the more immersive experience of pageless mode, go to File > Page setup > Pageless or Format > Switch to Pageless format.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users:

To create a cover image, you can either go to Insert > Cover image > Help me create an image, or Type “@” followed by Cover image > Help me create an image.
To add an image, go to Insert > Image > Help me create an image > type in an image description (optionally select a style for your image) > click Create > then, you will see generated options > select the one you like and it will be added to your document.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about creating images with Gemini in Google Docs and adding a cover image to your document.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 15, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 16, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business
Gemini Enterprise
Gemini Education
Gemini Education Premium
Google One AI Premium

Resources

Google Help: Create images with Gemini in Google Docs

Respond to conversations without leaving the home view in Google Chat

2024-11-14T07:27:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Following the recent announcement of summaries in home and other features that help you find what you need much faster using home, we’re introducing the split pane in the home view.

Using the split pane, you can now respond directly to a space, group or direct message without ever navigating away from the home view in Chat.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users:

To reply in the split pane view, simply click on a message and the split pane will open with the conversation. You can click on the expand icon in the conversation header if you wish to view that particular conversation in full screen. You can also toggle the split pane mode in the home header if you wish to completely enable/disable opening conversations in the split pane.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about replying to Chat messages in home with the split pane view.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 14, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 4, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers

Resources

Google Help: Send and reply to messages

Reference your Google Calendar using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail

2024-11-13T11:23:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Since its introduction earlier this year, Gemini in the side panel of Gmail has helped many users generate, find and respond to information in their inbox. In addition, Gemini in Gmail has the ability to connect with other Workspace apps like Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drive, helping users complete tasks without ever leaving Gmail.

Today, we’re excited to add Google Calendar to the list of apps that Gemini in Gmail connects with. Users can now ask Gemini in Gmail to perform calendar related actions or answer questions about their calendars such as:

When is my [first event] next week?
Create a [30 min] calendar event for my weekly [yoga class] every [Monday and Wednesday] at [9 AM].
Create a [1h] event for [lunch] [tomorrow] at [noon].

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use it

Via Gmail, Gemini can now help you:

Create calendar events.
Learn additional details about the existing events in your Calendar.

Additional details

At this time, Gemini in Gmail cannot:

Add or remove guests from events or create events by extracting information from an email.
Pull up attachments or RSVPs related to a meeting.
Find the best time to meet with other people or find time slots when you’re available to meet.
Create tasks, an out of office, focus times or set working locations.
Add or manage meeting rooms.

When these features do become available, we will provide an update via the Workspace Updates Blog.

Getting started

Admins: To access Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps, users need to have smart features and personalization turned on. Admins can turn on default personalization setting for their users in the Admin console.
End users:

On web, you can access Gemini in the Gmail side panel by clicking on “Ask Gemini” icon in the top right corner of Gmail.
This feature is only available in English at this time.
While not required, just like gemini.google.com, you can invoke Calendar by adding "@Calendar" at the beginning of your prompt in the side panel of Gmail to explicitly call on Calendar.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Gmail.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 13, 2024, with expected completion by December 6, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business
Gemini Enterprise
Gemini Education
Gemini Education Premium
Google One AI Premium

Resources

Google Help: Collaborate with Gemini in Gmail

Upload Google Docs and other file types to Gem instructions

2024-11-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Beginning today, you can upload reference documents, including Google Docs and Google Sheets via Google Drive, when creating Gems. By adding reference documents to your Gems instructions you can further tailor Gems to meet your specific needs.

These file types include:

Document and text files, such as TXT, DOC, DOCX, PDF, RTF, DOT, DOTX, HWP, HWPX and Google Docs
Data Files, such as XLS, XLSX, CSV, TSV and Google Sheets

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why you’d use it

Gems help you leverage the power of Gemini more efficiently and in a way that’s customized to your needs by minimizing repetitive prompting. You can create Gems to complete specific goals, tasks, and workflows. This update further enhances this functionality by allowing you to create Gems that anchor to specific files, referencing these files as a source for more relevant responses. For example, you can upload:

Corporate style guides that instantly creates or refines brand-aligned copy for websites, email subject lines, or social media posts.
Project files to create a project specific assistant
Internal documents which can be referenced at any time, such as how to best provide customer service based on a handbook or other best practices
HR documents to easily reference and find answers to common questions
Product specs and instruction manuals for quick troubleshooting
Customer feedback to easily identify trends and areas of improvement
Education standards to plan lessons and create content that align with your school’s needs
Grant research and notes to help accelerate the research process and drive innovation

Additional details

Uploading files when creating a Gem will be available starting in English.
Gems will automatically recognize the latest updates to any Google Docs or Sheets added to the instructions. Other uploaded file content will need to be re-uploaded if any changes are made to the underlying file.

Getting started

Admins:

Gems are available in Gemini (gemini.google.com) by default to all Gemini Enterprise, Business, Education and Education Premium users.
File upload from Google Drive in Gems requires you to turn on Workspace extensions in Gemini. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Google Workspace extensions on or off for your organization.

End users:

Users can upload up to 10 files at a time, and each file can be up to 100 MB.
File upload from Google Drive in Gems requires you to connect Google Workspace apps & services in Extensions setting.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Gems.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now.

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with a Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, or Education Premium add-on

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - November 8, 2024

2024-11-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

4 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.

Import data into group chats using the Google Chat API

In September, we introduced a feature through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program that enables developers to create group chats in import mode using the spaces.create method when migrating to Google Chat from other messaging platforms. This week, we’re excited to announce that this is now generally available for Google Workspace developers. | Roll out to Rapid Release domains and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace customers. | Learn more about import mode.

Search for and reuse pre-defined queries from BigQuery in Connected Sheets

Currently, users can define saved queries in BigQuery Studio and notebooks, but they cannot reuse those queries in Connected Sheets without copy/pasting them. This week, we’re excited to announce that users can now search for and reuse pre-defined queries directly from BigQuery to load Connected Sheets data. To do so, go to Connection Settings > Edit connection > Saved queries and query editor and search for your query by project. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains at an extended rollout pace (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility), with expectation completion by December 6, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about writing & editing a query and getting started with BigQuery data in Google Sheets.

Launching to beta: Import sensitive Microsoft Word documents as client-side encrypted Google Docs.

Beginning this week, eligible customers can import and convert sensitive Microsoft Word files into Google Docs with client-side encryption. When collaborating with external and internal stakeholders, you may find yourself working across both Google Docs and Microsoft Word. This update keeps your work moving by layering interoperability on top of the confidentiality benefits of client-side encryption: customers are in direct control of their encryption keys and the identity service that they choose to authenticate for those keys. Eligible Google Workspace admins can use this form to request access to the beta. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard customers. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about client-side encryption. More specific instructions will be shared once you’re accepted into the beta.

Select Google Chat settings can now be applied at the group level

Admins can now apply the following Google Chat settings at the group level:

While these settings can also be configured at the Organizational Unit (OU) level, this update provides more granular control for admins. This is critical for our customers, who frequently request more flexibility in how they apply settings, giving them more flexibility on how to configure settings based on the various needs of their users. | Roll out to Rapid Release domains and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace customers.

Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

View in-meeting chat messages in Google Meet live streams

Starting this week, when you’re viewing a Google Meet live stream, you will be able to see chat messages that are sent by participants who have joined via the meeting link. | Learn more about in-meeting chat messages in Meet live streams.

Now generally available: use Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps in seven additional languages

Beginning this week, select users can use Gemini in the side panel of Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, and Gmail, in seven additional languages: French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. | Learn more about additional Gemini languages.

Announcing general availability of Google Vids: Our new AI-powered video creation app for work to help tell stories across your organization

Earlier this year, we announced Google Vids, the newest productivity app in our suite of Google Workspace products. Vids is an AI-powered video creation app for work designed to help teams in customer service, learning and development, project ops and marketing tell more engaging stories at work through video. This week, we’re excited to announce the general availability of Google Vids for select Workspace editions. | Learn more about Vids.

Google Vids is now available for Google Workspace for Education, providing easy video creation for teaching and learning

Earlier this year, we announced Google Vids would soon empower educators and students to easily create and collaborate with video. This week, we’re excited to announce the general availability of Google Vids for Education Plus and Gemini for Workspace customers. | Learn more about Vids for EDU.

Introducing a refreshed library of high-quality Google Slides templates that elevate your presentations

We’re introducing a new collection of modern, professionally designed templates in Google Slides to help users build presentations much faster. These new templates cater to a wide range of use cases that provide users with the perfect starting point for their presentations. | Learn more about Slides templates.

Expanding access to the Gemini app for teen students in education

Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.

Rapid Release Domains:

Scheduled Release Domains:

Catch up on followed threads from the home shortcut in Google Chat (Android)

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains:

Paused rollouts

We have paused the rollout for this feature while we evaluate performance and quality. We will provide an update with new rollout information as soon as possible.

Use intelligent suggestions for table conversion in Google Sheets

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).

Expanding access to the Gemini app for teen students in education

2024-11-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Google Workspace for Education admins can now turn on the Gemini app with added data protection as an additional service for their teen users (ages 13+ or the applicable age in your country) in the following languages and countries. With added data protection, chats are not reviewed by human reviewers or otherwise used to improve AI models. The Gemini app will be a core service in the coming weeks for Education Standard and Plus users, including teens,

We created this Gemini experience for teens after consulting with child development and learning science experts - including conducting learning focused red teaming, an industry standard testing process to find vulnerabilities in generative AI - and testing with youth advisory panels to ensure we’re bringing this technology to students responsibly.

Gemini can help teen students learn responsibly and confidently in an AI-first future.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why it’s important

Google is committed to making AI helpful for everyone, in the classroom and beyond. We want to both prepare teens with the skills and tools they need to thrive in the future where GenAI exists and help them learn how this technology can be used to unlock creativity and facilitate learning. Expanding access to the Gemini app to younger students provides guided support to help them learn more confidently with in-the-moment assistance, practice materials, and real-time feedback.

Additional details

Upon accessing the Gemini app for the first time, teens will be guided through an AI Literacy video, endorsed by ConnectSafely and Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI)--with tips on how to use generative AI responsibly. And according to Common Sense Media, the Gemini teen experience is considered “low risk” and is designated as “designed for kids”.

“Google's Gemini, which is currently the only major platform to create a specific experience for teens, includes additional CSAM (child sexual abuse material) safeguards, content policies, and in-product experiences that help teens understand the limitations of generative AI." - Common Sense Media

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Gemini on or off as an additional service, as well as controlling access to Google services by age.
End users: If enabled by your admin, visit the Help Center to learn more about using Gemini Apps with a school account.

Rollout pace

Available now.

Availability

Available for Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus and the Teaching & Learning Upgrade

Resources

Introducing a refreshed library of high-quality Google Slides templates that elevate your presentations

2024-11-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Sales pitches, product roadmaps and strategic plans templates for business users.
Lesson plans, book reports and project reports templates for education users.
Milestone celebrations, workshop facilitation and team game templates for anyone looking to build collaborative teams.

Access these templates using the new "Templates" button in the Slides toolbar or by going to Insert > Templates. Once clicked, you can browse the collection, select a template that aligns with your vision and style, and choose to insert all slides or just the ones you need before personalizing the template with your own content.

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use it

Slides templates enable users to jumpstart their presentation, maintain a consistent look and feel, and focus on what matters most. More specifically, they help users overcome the blank canvas and spend less time on design by enabling them to dive straight into crafting compelling content that is visually cohesive and professional.

Additional details

You can expect even more high-quality Slides template options in the coming months.

Getting started

Admins: This feature will be ON by default for domains that do not have default templates & themes turned ON. Domains that have default templates & themes turned ON, will continue to see their company specific template. Visit the Help Center to learn more about default templates & themes.
End users:

In Google Slides, access templates using the top toolbar or by going to Insert > Templates. Visit the Help Center to learn more about templates in Google Slides.
Note: This feature is only available for users using the "English (United States)" language setting. If your language settings are set to another form of English (eg - "English (United Kingdom)" or "English (Australia)", you will not have access to these templates. Visit the Help Center to learn more about updating your language.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 7, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on November 21, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts (using the "English (United States)" language setting)

Resources

Google Help: Use a Template or change the theme, background, or layout in Google Slides

Google Vids is now available for Google Workspace for Education, providing easy video creation for teaching and learning

2024-11-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Earlier this year, we announced Google Vids would soon empower educators and students to easily create and collaborate with video. Today, we’re excited to announce the general availability of Google Vids for Education Plus and Gemini for Workspace customers.

Vids can help deepen learning opportunities, up-level instruction, and inspire the next generation of storytellers in a variety of scenarios, for example:

Educators can support diverse learning styles and help students retain information with instructional videos and deep dives on complex concepts.
Students can work on video projects and review recorded lessons.
Education leaders can easily incorporate video in their school newsletters and create internal training videos for staff.

Similar to other productivity tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides, Vids includes a simple, easy-to-use interface and the ability to collaborate in real-time and share projects securely from your browser. You can easily get started with a variety of templates organized by use cases to create a new video. From there, you can add motion with animations, transitions, and photo effects, and customize your video using the Vids royalty free education-friendly stock content library or your own media directly from Google Drive or Google Photos. Vids is also integrated with Workspace tools like Google Classroom, empowering educators to easily assign video projects or post video explainers right to their students. As detailed here, Google Vids is a core Workspace Service covered under the Google Workspace for Education terms of service.

Users 18 years and older with a Gemini Education or Education Premium add-on will also have access to Gemini in Vids, giving them the ability to produce polished videos even faster with the help of AI. ‘Help me create’ can generate a fully editable initial storyboard using a prompt and a doc from your Google Drive. After choosing a style, Gemini pieces together your video draft with suggested scenes, including recommended stock media, text, scripts per scene, and even a background music track.

Getting started

Admins:

Vids will be ON by default and can be disabled at the organizational level. However, if Google Docs are turned OFF in your domain, Vids access will be unavailable.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Vids on or off for users and new core services coming to Google Workspace for Education.

End users:

To start, open Google Vids and choose an option to create a new video. You can create a new video or make a copy of an existing video for editing.
You can use Vids on your computer with the two most recent versions of these browsers:

Chrome
Firefox
Windows only: Microsoft Edge
Other browsers may work, but you might not be able to use all of the features.

Dive into Google Vids with our free, self-paced online training course, designed specifically for educators and available now in the Google for Education Learning Center. You can also leverage this one pager to get a quick summary of what you can do with Vids.
Currently, Vids is available in the user’s local language, but the AI features (e.g. Help me create a video, read-along teleprompter) and templates are only available in English at this time.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about getting started with Google Vids.
Note: Create and copy access is available for Education Plus and Gemini for Google Workspace customers, while view and collaborate access is available to anyone with a Google Workspace for Education license.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 7, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Education Plus
Customers with a Gemini Education or Education Premium add-on

Resources

Announcing general availability of Google Vids: Our new AI-powered video creation app for work to help tell stories across your organization

2024-11-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Today, we’re excited to announce the general availability of Google Vids for select Workspace editions. Here’s how you can use it:

Customer service teams are using Vids to provide better customer support, supplementing help center articles with videos.
Leaders are creating vids to share company-wide updates and announcements.
Learning and development teams are using Vids to deliver employee training and education at scale.
Marketers are using vids inside their organizations to share recaps on their campaigns and events.
Project management teams are building vids to share meeting recaps, business updates and report share outs.

With Vids, you can easily build videos by tapping into the power of Gemini to help you get to a first draft faster using a set of generative AI capabilities. ‘Help me create’ can generate a fully editable initial storyboard using a prompt and a doc from your Google Drive. After choosing a style, Gemini pieces together your video draft with suggested scenes, including recommended stock media, text, scripts per scene, and even a background music track.

You can also start with a variety of use-cased based templates to create a new video. From there, you can add motion with animations, transitions, and photo effects, and customize your video using the Vids royalty free stock content library or your own media directly from Google Drive or Google Photos.

With ‘Help me create’, Gemini suggests scripts to get you started or you can write your own. You can easily add a voiceover by either choosing from one of Gemini’s preset AI voices or by recording your own voice using a teleprompter with Gemini read-along and rolling features that help you record your message with confidence. You can also use the Vids’ in-product recording studio to:

Add a video recording of yourself.
Add a screen recording with narration.
Add a screen recording with video recording.
Add audio-only recording.

In summary, Vids enables you to produce engaging videos that help scale your message, build connections and break through the noise across your organization.

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use it

We know that creating and editing video has felt challenging because in the past it has required special skills or licensing, but with Google Vids the power of storytelling is in your hands. Now teams can build and tell compelling stories at work, scaling and landing their message to engage coworkers in an effective way.

Additional details

While previously only available to Gemini for Google Workspace customers, with this launch Google Vids is expanding to select Workspace subscription plans.

Users will have full access to AI-powered features* in Google Vids like "Help me create" and AI voiceovers until at least December 31, 2025. Usage limits for these AI-powered features may apply beginning in 2026. We'll notify you before any change goes into effect.

*Vids generative AI features include Help me create, Generate a voiceover, Remove image backgrounds, Generate an image, Recording studio read-along teleprompter.

To learn more about Vids features and capabilities for Google Workspace for Education customers, refer to this Workspace Updates Blog.

Getting started

Admins: Vids will be ON by default and can be disabled at the organizational level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Vids on or off for users and new core services coming to Google Workspace.
End users:

To start, open Google Vids and choose an option to create a new video. You can create a new video or make a copy of an existing video for editing. Visit the Help Center to learn more about getting started with Google Vids.
You can use Vids on your computer with the two most recent versions of these browsers:

Chrome
Firefox
Windows only: Microsoft Edge
Other browsers may work, but you might not be able to use all of the features.

You can access our always-on resources in the Google Workspace Learning Center to learn what you can do with Google Vids.
Currently, Vids is available in the user’s local language, but the AI features (e.g. Help me create, read-along teleprompter) are only available in English at this time.
Note: View and collaborate access is available to anyone with a Google Workspace account, while create and copy access is available for select editions of Google Workspace and Gemini for Google Workspace customers.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 7, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Business Standard and Plus
Enterprise Standard and Plus
Essentials, Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus
Education Plus*
Customers with a Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education* or Education Premium* add-on

*Please refer to the following Workspace Updates Blog to learn more about Vids availability for Google Workspace for Education customers.

Resources

Now generally available: use Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps in seven additional languages

2024-11-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Beginning today, all users* can use Gemini in the side panel of Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, and Gmail, in seven additional languages:

French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Spanish

Gemini in the side panel of Gmail in Spanish

With Gemini in the side panel of your Workspace apps, you can get help summarizing, analyzing, and generating content by utilizing insights gathered from your emails, documents, and more—all without switching applications or tabs. Check out our original announcements for Gemini in the side panel of Docs, Sheets, and Drive, and Gmail for even more information.

*Available for Workspace customers with a Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education, and Gemini Education Premium add-on.

Additional details

While Gemini in the side panel of Docs, Sheets, Drive, and Gmail, is generally available in these additional languages - as we keep rolling out more Gemini alpha features in the side panel, end users with Gemini alpha features turned on may continue to see the “Alpha” badge.
Image generation is not supported yet in these additional languages.
Gemini in the side panel of Slides is only available in English at this time.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: You can access the side panel by clicking on “Ask Gemini” (spark button) in the top right corner of Docs, Sheets, Drive, and Gmail on the web. Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in the side panel of Docs, Sheets, Drive, and Gmail. Note that for accessing other Gemini for Google Workspace features that are supported in English only, you will need to set your Google Account language to English.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 7, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 21, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with a:

Gemini Business or Enterprise add-on
Gemini Education or Education Premium add-on
Google One AI Premium

Resources

View in-meeting chat messages in Google Meet live streams

2024-11-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

What’s changing

Starting today, when you’re viewing a Google Meet live stream, you will be able to see chat messages that are sent by participants who have joined via the meeting link. This update helps ensure that information shared through Meet chat messages — like links to relevant documents, time-keeping messages, and more — are also visible to live-stream attendees, making meetings more equitable. Previously, in-call chat messages were only visible to hosts, co-hosts, participants and viewers who were in the main meeting. Once you receive the update, you'll see a notification the next time chat messages are sent during a live stream. When you click the notification, the chat panel will open.

Chat messages viewed from a live stream

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning live streaming on or off for your organization.
End users:

Meeting hosts: Visit the Help Center to learn more about live streaming for video hosts.
Live stream viewers: No action required – you’ll automatically see in-meeting chats when watching a live stream.

Rollout pace

Important note: this feature will roll out at a much slower pace than usual as we approach the end of the year. We will update this post to confirm when rollout has completed for Fast and Rapid release tracks respectively.

Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 18, 2024. We anticipate that rollout will be completed sometime during the week of December 5, 2024.
Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on January 6, 2025. We anticipate that rollout will be completed by end of Q1 2025.

Availability

The following Google Workspace editions can initiate a live stream:

Enterprise Starter, Standard, Plus and Enterprise Essentials Plus
Education Plus and the Teaching & Learning upgrade

Anyone can view a live stream.

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - November 1, 2024

2024-11-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

4 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.

Apply black & white filter to Google Drive scans on Android devices

In August, we announced that you can now save files scanned in the Google Drive Android app as a .JPEG. This week, we’re excited to introduce an additional scanning option that gives you the ability to apply a black & white filter on your document scans. This new filter helps enhance texts and other important elements, ensuring they are sharply defined when compared to the background region. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about scanning files with your mobile device.

AI Classification now supports Field Selection for Model Training

When AI Classification first launched, Labels eligible for model training needed to have a single field of either a badge or option-list field type, and Labels with multiple fields were ineligible. Now, customers that use AI Classification will be able to select which badge or option list field they would like to train a model for after identifying the target label. Once trained and enabled, the AI model will automatically apply the label and will only populate the selected field. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to customers with the AI Security add-on, Gemini Enterprise add-on, and Gemini Education Premium. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about Label Google Drive files automatically using AI classification.

Reducing noise from unfollowed threads in Google Chat

In order to make it easier to identify which unread threads are most relevant to you, we’re reducing the noise by removing visual cues from threads that you do not follow in Google Chat. Starting this week, new activity, such as unread messages from threads you do not follow, will no longer bold and appear at the top of your conversation lists. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains on web and mobile at an extended rollout pace (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility). | Available to all Google Workspace customers.

Introducing a better filter by condition experience for tables in Google Sheets

Tables in Google Sheets will now provide users with a smarter filter by condition experience. Sheets offers 21 options for users to filter by condition, such as “Date is” or “Text ends with”. However, we know there are scenarios in which certain filters might not be applicable based on the type of data in a spreadsheet. Based on the set column type, users will now only see relevant filter by condition options. For example, if your column type is set to number, the filter options will be number-based only. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about sorting & filtering your data.

Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Refine emails faster with updates to the “Polish” shortcut in Gmail

We’re expanding the Help me write shortcut to web and introducing a Polish shortcut on web and mobile that helps you refine emails even faster. | Learn more about email shortcuts in Gmail.

Google Classroom now supports exporting missing and excused grades to select Student Information Systems (SIS)

Teachers can now include missing and excused grades when exporting grades to their Student Information Systems (SIS). | Learn more about exporting missing and excused grades to select Student Information Systems (SIS).

New density setting in Google Chat

To give users more control over how they see information in Google Chat, we’re introducing a new setting that allows you to control the visual density of screen elements. Choose between “Comfortable” or “Compact” on chat.google.com. | Learn more about density settings in Chat.

Context Aware Access insights and recommendations are now generally available

FedRAMP High authorization for Gemini for Workspace

As recently announced, we submitted our package to obtain FedRAMP High authorization for Gemini for Workspace, including the Gemini app. A FedRAMP High certification assures federal agencies in the United States that a cloud service provides the highest level of protection for their most sensitive data, enabling them to confidently leverage cloud technologies for critical operations. | Learn more about FedRAMP High authorization for Gemini.

Gemini in the side panel of Google Chat is now available

We’re expanding Gemini in Chat to help users collaborate more effectively in their spaces, group messages and direct messages. | Learn more about Gemini in the side panel of Chat.

Data classifications labels for Gmail are now available in open beta

In addition to Google Drive, we’re expanding data classification labels to now include Gmail. Classification labels are used to classify and audit content according to organizational guidelines (“Sensitive”, “Confidential”, etc.) and apply policies, such as data loss prevention (DLP) rules, to protect sensitive information in email messages. Classification labels will be available when using Gmail on the web – support for Gmail on mobile devices will be introduced in the coming months. | Learn more about the beta for data classifications labels for Gmail.

Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.

Rapid Release Domains:

Scheduled Release Domains:

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains:

Introducing security advisor, a new set of tools and insights to help small businesses protect their organization against cyber attacks
New Watermarking in Google Meet Helps Protect Your Meeting Content
Gmail Q&A now available on iOS devices
Third-party smart chips now available in Google Sheets
Create an email for a Google Chat space from the Admin console (email conversations sent to spaces now show replies in a thread instead of as separate cards in the message stream)
Context Aware Access insights and recommendations are now generally available

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).

Data classifications labels for Gmail are now available in open beta

2024-11-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

What’s changing

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why it’s important

Data breaches are increasingly common and costly across all sectors, including enterprises, public sectors, and government institutions. To minimize data exfiltration and better understand the data being shared, organizations need to differentiate between various types of information and their sensitivity levels to apply data protection policies accordingly. By expanding data classification labels to Gmail, Google Workspace provides admins with a more flexible and robust system integrated with data protection capabilities to help organizations effectively categorize and protect sensitive information.

Specifically, admins can create:

New classification labels or extend existing ones enabled in Drive labels for Gmail from the Label Manager. Labels can be used to denote department names, document types, document status, and other custom categories.

The Label Manager tool can be accessed in the Admin console by going to Security > Access and data control

Data protection rules with classification label as a condition, to apply actions to a message based on its classification. For example, a message will be blocked if it’s classified as ‘Internal’ and is being sent to an external recipient.

Notification about delivery failure due to DLP policy, blocking messages labeled as ‘Confidential’ to be sent to recipients outside of the organization

Data protection rules to automatically apply classification labels to a message, based on its content. For example, a ‘Confidential’ label can be applied to a message if it contains sensitive financial information, such as credit card or bank account numbers.

Data protection rule with ‘Apply a label’ action. Classification label specified in the rule will be applied to a message, if message contains information matching conditions of the rule

DLP rules with Confidential Mode as a condition to prevent sending messages with sensitive information, if it is not encrypted (Confidential Mode is not enabled)

Data protection rule is set up to detect messages with sensitive information (credit card or passport numbers) and confidential mode disabled in order to enforce sending such info with enhanced protection measures

End users can view and apply Classification Labels when using Gmail on the web.

Users can apply classification labels to a message, according to the organization’s data governance policies

Additional details

When Data loss prevention (DLP) rules for Gmail using classification labels either as a condition or as an action, messages are scanned asynchronously. This means that the message is classified, blocked or quarantined after it leaves the sender's mailbox) and before being dispatched to the recipient. In a future release, we plan to provide synchronous support with instant notifications consistent with our synchronous support of instant DLP enforcement for Gmail.

Note that:

If the message is blocked as a result of the classification label applied to it, the sender will get a bounce back message.
If the message is automatically labeled by a DLP rule, the sender will not see the label reflected in the sent message. The recipient will see the automatically applied label the same way as any other classification label applied manually by the sender.

Only Badged options list and Multiple Options list (Single select) field types are supported in Gmail. If classification labels are enabled for usage in both Gmail and Drive, and it contains fields that are not supported in Gmail, such as date or persona, Gmail users will see the label only with fields of the supported types.

Getting started

Admins:

Gmail classification labels can be enabled at the domain, group level, or individual user level. You also have the option to enable existing classification labels used in Drive for use in Gmail. The Label Manager tool can be accessed by going to Security > Access and data control or admin.google.com/ac/dc/labels in the Admin console.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about getting started with classification labels, Gmail DLP & automatic classification labels, and preventing data leaks in email and attachments.
Note: Labels can be viewed by any admin in your organization with the Manage Labels privilege. They can also be visible to everyone in your organization based on the label’s permissions settings.

End users: If configured by your admin, you’ll see the “Classification” option when composing a new messaging or replying to an existing message — when you open the menu, you can select labels relevant to your message. Visit the Help Center to learn more about adding classification labels in Gmail.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 1, 2024

Availability

The Label Manager and manual classification is available to Google Workspace:

Frontline Starter and Standard
Business Standard and Plus
Enterprise Standard and Plus
Education Standard and Education Plus
Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus

Data loss prevention rules with labels as a condition or labels as an action are available to:

Enterprise Standard and Plus
Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus, and the Teaching & Learning Upgrade
Frontline Standard
Cloud Identity Premium (in combination with a Workspace Edition eligible for Gmail)

Resources

Gemini in the side panel of Google Chat is now available

2024-11-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

What’s changing

For the last few months, users with the Gemini for Google Workspace add-ons and Gemini Education add-ons have used Gemini in the side panel of Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive to assist them with summarizing, analyzing, and generating content through insights gathered from their emails, documents, and more. Earlier this month, Gemini add-on subscribers began using Gemini in Google Chat for summaries of unread conversations in the home view.

Today, we’re expanding Gemini in Chat to help users collaborate more effectively in their spaces, group messages and direct messages. With Gemini in the side panel of Chat, you can:

Summarize a space or conversation. Examples include asking Gemini the following:

"Summarize this conversation."
"What are the key takeaways in this conversation?”
After an initial summary is generated, you can ask for a longer summary, "Give me a detailed summary of [topic] discussed in this space."

Generate a list of action items from that space or conversation, such as:

"What are the action items in this conversation?”
“Are there any action items for me in this conversation?"
“Summarize [person's] action items in this space”

Answer specific questions about that space or conversation by asking:

“What did [person] say about the timeline extension in this space?”
“What’s the decision on the project discussed in this conversation?"

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use it

Gemini in the side panel of Chat enables you to better collaborate with your team by helping you quickly catch up on missed conversations, capture action items, or search for key details that are easy to miss in a fast-moving space.

Additional details

At this time, Gemini in the side panel of Chat can summarize and analyze messages in the conversation that you are currently viewing. It will not summarize or analyze context across your entire Chat conversation history, your Gmail inbox or your Drive files.

Getting started

Admins: To access Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps, users need to have smart features and personalization turned on. Admins can turn on default personalization setting for their users in the Admin console.
End users: On web from chat.google.com, click on a space, thread, or message, then click the "Ask Gemini” icon at the top of the page to open Gemini in the side panel of Chat. From there, you can select from suggested prompts or type in your own query. Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Google Chat and ensuring your smart feature settings are turned on.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 1, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on November 18, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with a:

Gemini Business and Enterprise add-on
Gemini Education and Education Premium add-on

Resources

FedRAMP High authorization for Gemini for Workspace

2024-11-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

What’s changing

Additional details

Our current FedRAMP submission does not include Data Location. We’re targeting FedRAMP High with Data Location at a later date.
The package is pending review by the Joint Authorization Board (JAB), who does not provide guidance on review timelines. Refer to the FedRAMP compliance page to view a copy of our submission.

Getting started

Admins:

Visit the Help Center to learn more about how Google Workspace satisfies certification and compliance standards.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Gemini (gemini.google.com) on or off for your users and about Gemini for Google Workspace in general.

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business
Gemini Enterprise
Gemini Education
Gemini Education Premium

Available for Google Workspace customers accessing the Gemini app as a core service with these editions:

Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus
Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus
Frontline Starter, Frontline Standard
Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus
Google Workspace for Nonprofits
Education Standard, Education Plus

Resources

Context Aware Access insights and recommendations are now generally available

2024-10-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

What’s changing

We’re making it easier to apply context-aware access (CAA) policies with new insights and recommendations. We’ll proactively surface potential security gaps and suggest pre-built CAA levels which admins can deploy to remediate the security gaps. These insights will be surfaced to customers, if they have not deployed any CAA policies to their users. When you deploy a recommendation, it will first be placed in Monitor Mode, so you can understand how the policy will block user access over time, and can be reviewed in the CAA audit logs.

With this release, we’ve also added the ability for admins to customize the recommendations as they see fit before they’re applied broadly. Additionally, we’ll send primary admins an email on a quarterly basis with insights and actionable recommendations.

Who’s impacted

Admins

Why it’s important

Using Context-Aware Access, admins can set up different access levels based on a user’s identity and the context of the request (location, device security status, IP address). This can help provide granular access controls without the need for a VPN, and give users access to Google Workspace resources based on organizational policies. Insights and recommendations help admins improve the cybersecurity posture of their organization by proactively identifying areas that need attention, significantly reducing the need for admins to identify these risks themselves. For example, if we detect devices with outdated operating system versions accessing corporate Workspace data, we can surface this as an Insight & pair it with a recommendation to block such devices from accessing Workspace data with a few clicks.

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about protecting your business with Context-Aware Access and applying recommended access levels.

End users: There is no end user impact or action required.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace

Enterprise Standard and Plus
Education Standard and Plus
Enterprise Essentials Plus
Also available to Cloud Identity Premium customers

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Protect your business with Context-Aware Access