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Google Workspace Updates - (fka) G Suite

Get official updates from the Google Workspace team about feature additions and enhancements for Google Workspace services like Google Meet, Google Chat, and Google Calendar.

1.
Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - December 20, 2024
December 20, 2024  23:22:04

3 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.


Introducing instant video playback after uploads in Google Drive 
Following up on the recent announcement of a smoother, more modern video player in Google Drive, we’re excited to share that you can now watch videos the moment you upload them to Drive on web. This highly-requested feature eliminates wait times between upload and playback, while ensuring your videos still get fully processed. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for January 2, 2025. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about storing & playing video in Google Drive.

instant video playback after uploading video to Google Drive

Updated keyboard shortcuts for Google Groups 
Google Groups is designed to work with keyboards, screen readers, braille devices, screen magnification, and more. We’re excited to improve the accessibility of Groups by introducing updated keyboard shortcuts. New and existing keyboard shortcuts will continue to work through early 2025, after which only new shortcuts will work. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains, with expected completion by January 13, 2025. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using keyboard shortcuts in Google Groups.


SOC 1 compliance for Gemini 
We’re pleased to announce that the Gemini app on web and mobile has achieved SOC 1 compliance. This latest certification is in addition to SOC 2 and SOC 3, which the Gemini app achieved on web and mobile earlier this year. | SOC 1 is available now for Google Workspace customers with a Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, or Education Premium add-on. Also available for Google Workspace customers accessing the Gemini app as a core service with a qualifying edition. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about how Google Workspace satisfies certification and compliance standards and about turning the Gemini app on or off for your users.


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.


Available in open beta: migrate messages from Microsoft Teams to Google Chat 
We're expanding our data migration experience to include the ability for Google Workspace admins to migrate conversations from channels in Microsoft Teams to spaces in Google Chat, making it easier for organizations to onboard and deploy Chat. | Learn more about migrating messages from Microsoft Teams to Google Chat. 


Available in open beta: Set up Single-Sign On with custom OpenID Connect profiles 
Via open beta, admins now have the option to set up a custom OpenID Connect (OIDC) profile for single sign-on (SSO) with Google as their Service Provider. | Learn more about Single-Sign On with custom OpenID Connect profiles. 


Now generally available: Monitor and manage AppSheet usage in your organization with the AppSheet Admin console 
All Google Workspace Admins with the AppSheet service privilege can access the AppSheet Admin Console. | Learn more about the AppSheet Admin console. 


Control whether your users can add account recovery information with two new admin settings
We’re launching two new settings that will allow admins to control whether their users can add recovery email information and phone information to their Google Workspace account. | Learn more about the new admin settings.


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.


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).
2.
Control whether your users can add account recovery information with two new admin settings
December 18, 2024  16:13:21

What’s changing

We’re launching two new settings that will allow admins to control whether their users can add recovery email information and phone information to their Google Workspace account. 

By default, the ability to add a recovery email or phone number is ON for most Workspace users and K-12 super admins, but it should be noted that:

  • Adding email and phone recovery information is OFF by default for K-12 users. 
  • Phone number recovery collection is always enabled for super admins regardless of whether it’s disabled in the admin console.

Any changes admins make to these settings will overrule the existing organizational unit (OU) settings, except for super admins as stated above.

Security > Account Recovery > Recovery information


Who’s impacted

Admins and end users


Why it’s important

Adding recovery information to your account is helpful for keeping users’ accounts more secure, recovering users’ accounts as well as evaluating security related events, such as risky logins or re-authentication attempts. However, we know that there are a variety of reasons that customers would want to prevent their users from doing so. For example, turning recovery information off can help customers stay compliant with local privacy regulations, such as GDPR. Or admins can opt to add recovery information themselves. This update gives admins the control to decide which configuration makes the most sense for their users.

Getting started


Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers

Resources


3.
Now generally available: Monitor and manage AppSheet usage in your organization with the AppSheet Admin console
December 18, 2024  16:13:13

What’s changing 

Beginning today, we’re pleased to announce that all Google Workspace Admins with the AppSheet service privilege can access the AppSheet Admin Console. The AppSheet Admin console is a consolidated location to monitor, manage and govern AppSheet across your organization. Previously, the AppSheet Admin Console was only available to those with an AppSheet Enterprise Plus license in public preview, but now any admin with sufficient privileges has access to monitor and manage their users (note: some features require an enterprise license for the admin and the user). 


The AppSheet Admin Console gives admins visibility into the users, apps and licenses associated with their AppSheet users. From here, admins can: 
  • Review the most popular apps and creators. 
  • Review how many apps are owned and used for every user account. 
  • View all of their organization's app users. 
  • Verify the AppSheet licenses purchased, assigned and used. 
  • Export a list of accounts, users, apps and licenses. 

Since Public Preview, we’ve added more functionality: 
  • Historical app usage: Admins can see app usage history for all accounts in their organization up to three months starting today and soon extending to six months. 
  • Self-serve provisioning: Admins can choose how their enterprise licenses are provisioned - either through license assignment in the Workspace Admin Console or automatically upon login to AppSheet.  
  • Organizations as the new standard: New and existing Workspace customers can manage all of their secondary domain users under a consolidated AppSheet organization.
The AppSheet Admin Console



Who’s impacted

Admins


Why it’s important

We’ve heard from our customers that in order to effectively manage AppSheet activity in their organizations, they need visibility into its usage. This includes information regarding how many users are using an AppSheet license, who is accessing their teams apps, and more. Expanding access to the AppSheet Admin console provides admins with these critical metrics, enabling them to understand how the tool is being used and govern the use of the tool as needed.


Additional details

The Licenses page will remain in public preview pending some supporting launches and additional enhancements expected early in 2025.


Getting started


Rollout pace


Availability


Resources


4.
Available in open beta: Set up Single-Sign On with custom OpenID Connect profiles
December 18, 2024  16:12:56

What’s changing 

Beginning today, admins now have the option to set up a custom OpenID Connect (OIDC) profile for single sign-on (SSO) with Google as their Service Provider. OIDC is a popular method for verifying and authenticating the identities - this update gives admins more options for their end users to access cloud applications using a single set of credentials. Previously, only OIDC with pre-configured Microsoft Entra ID profile was supported in addition to SAML.

Custom OIDC profiles can be configured in the Admin console at >Security > Authentication > SSO with third party IdP



Getting started


Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available for all Google Workspace customers except Google Workspace Essentials Starter customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers
  • Also available for Cloud Identity and Cloud Identity Premium customers

Resources


5.
Available in open beta: migrate messages from Microsoft Teams to Google Chat
December 17, 2024  17:01:43

What’s changing

Beginning today, we’re expanding our data migration experience to include the ability for Google Workspace admins to migrate conversations  from channels in Microsoft Teams to spaces in Google Chat, making it easier for organizations to onboard and deploy Chat. 

This can be done within the Admin console in a few steps:

  • First, connect to your Microsoft account.
  • Then, upload a CSV of the teams from where you want to migrate the messages. You can specify the source to destination identity mapping by uploading a CSV of the email ID’s from source to target.
  • Next, you’ll enter the starting date for messages to be migrated from Teams. Then you can begin your data migration. 
  • Finally, you’ll complete the migration by making migrated spaces, messages and related conversation data available to Google Workspace users (see our Help Center article for specific details on supported data types).

Starting a chat migration in the admin console

When a migration starts, the UI displays a visual report that breaks down tasks with individual progress bars for tasks that are successfully completed, skipped, failed or have warnings.


The final step to complete the migration is to roll out spaces, making migrated spaces and their content available to users.





Additional details

  • The Chat migration tool doesn’t delete or modify existing Google Chat spaces or messages. 
  • You can also run a delta migration, which will migrate any messages added to Teams channels since the primary migration. Messages that are already successfully migrated are skipped.
  • Once a migration is complete, you can export a report that contains detailed information regarding content that skipped, failed or had warnings during the migration.
  • You can find more information in our Help Center about migrating other forms of data from different types of source accounts.


Getting started

Rollout pace

  • This feature is available now.

Availability

  • Available for all Google Workspace customers

Resources


6.
Share your thoughts on the Workspace Updates Blog
December 16, 2024  14:50:57
As we approach the new year, we want to ensure the Workspace Updates Blog serves its purpose of effectively explaining new product features, improvements and changes. Please share your thoughts in this brief survey to help us identify areas of improvement. 

Thanks in advance!
7.
Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - December 13, 2024
December 14, 2024  00:21:53

3 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.


Use the GitHub app in Google Chat to get notifications about GitHub events
We’re excited to announce that we’ve made updates to the Google Chat integration with GitHub, a cloud-based platform that enables users to store, share and collaborate with others to write code. With these updates users can expect: 
  • Streamlined notification cards with key details from Github, such as issues, pull requests and comments. 
  • Enhanced repository and pull request subscription options (open/merge/close, comments, CI pipeline and test results). 
  • Clearer overview of GitHub links with richer link previews. 
  • Options to configure multiple repositories within a single space. 
Admins can install the Github app on their users’ behalf. End users need a GitHub account to use this app, and can also search for the app in the + New Chat menu to get updates via a DM with the bot. | Rollout 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 how to set up the GitHub app in Chat. 
GitHub app in Google Chat
Mobile scans are now crisper and clearer with auto enhancements in the Google Drive scanner 
Late last year, we made updates to the Google Drive scanner on mobile devices, and recently announced the option to apply black & white filters to Drive scans and save scanned files as PDFs or JPEGs. This week, we’re excited to introduce an additional improvement to the scanner experience on Android devices. Now, with the help of auto enhancement, Drive’s document scanner will digitize paper documents into higher quality images much faster. Depending on the document, auto enhancement will perform actions like white balance correction, shadow removal, contrast enrichment, auto sharpening, light improvement, and more. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now, with expected completion by January 2, 2025; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for January 6, 2025. | 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.The image on the right reflects auto enhancements to the Drive scanner
The image on the right reflects auto enhancements to the Drive scanner


HDMI presentation now supported on Google Meet hardware devices from Poly 
You can now present content via a wired HDMI connection when using Poly devices with Google Meet, specifically Poly Poly Studio X30, X50, X52, and X70 devices. This update provides another option for sharing high-quality video and audio content during your meetings. | Available to all Google Workspace customers. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about presenting using an HDMI cable.


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.


Create and manage rubrics using the Google Classroom API
Since 2019, teachers have been able to create or reuse a rubric for an assignment, however this capability did not previously exist in the Classroom API. To improve upon this experience, we’re excited to announce that developers can now manage assignment rubrics via the Classroom API. | Learn more about the Google Classroom API. 


Introducing Gemini Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI™) 
We’re pleased to introduce Gemini LTI™, an AI-powered assistant that can integrate into third party Learning Management Systems (LMS). | Learn more about Gemini Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI™). 


Build high-quality, modern documents faster in Google Docs with 40 new templates
We’ve introduced a collection of 40 new high-quality, visually modern designs in Google Docs. These pre-made pageless templates consist of several new features that make your documents visual and effective. | Learn more about templates in Docs.


Create fully stylized documents using Gemini in Google Docs 
This week, we launched help me create, a new feature that lets you build a full document using content in Drive from a single, custom prompt. | Learn more about help me create in Docs. 


Available in open beta: prevent sensitive changes by locking Groups
Admins can now label a Google Group as “Locked,” which will heavily restrict changes to group attributes (such as group name & email address) and memberships. | Learn more about the locking Groups beta. 


Adding folder support to Gemini in the side panel of Google Drive
You can now focus your Gemini conversations in Drive to a specific Drive folder using the side panel. | Learn more about Gemini folder support for Drive files.


Gemini for Workspace usage reports now include Gemini usage per app interactions 
We’re introducing additional usage metrics on the Gemini for Workspace reports in the Admin console. This report will now provide admins additional information about Gemini usage per app by users. | Learn more about Gemini usage reports. 


Now generally available: the Groups Editor & Groups Reader roles can now be provisioned for specific group types 
At the beginning of the year, we launched the ability to assign the Groups Editor and Groups Reader roles for security groups or non-security groups in open beta. This feature is now generally available and Groups Admins have access to all groups. | Learn more about group types. 


New Google Chat usage reports provide deeper insights into user engagement
We’re pleased to introduce new, information-rich usage reports to help Workspace administrators understand how their teams are using Google Chat. | Learn more about usage reports in Chat. 


Improvements to mentions in Google Chat 
When mentioning a user that is not already in the conversation, you will have the option to add them and send the message, or just send the message without adding them in Google Chat. | Learn more about mentions in Chat.


NotebookLM Plus now available to Google Workspace customers
NotebookLM Plus, our newest and most advanced version of NotebookLM, is now available to Gemini for Google Workspace customers. | Learn more about NotebookLM Plus.


Translate messages in-line from one language to another in Google Chat
As one of the most requested Gemini enhancements in Chat this year, translate for me will automatically detect and translate over 120 languages to a user’s preferred language. | Learn more about translate for me in Chat.


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).
8.
Translate messages in-line from one language to another in Google Chat
December 13, 2024  18:12:48

This announcement was part of Google Cloud Next ‘24. Visit the Workspace Blog to learn more about the next wave of innovations in Workspace, including enhancements to Gemini for Google Workspace.

What’s changing

In continuing our effort to ensure Google Chat is your home for collaboration in Workspace, especially for global teams, we’re excited to introduce translate for me in Google Chat. 

As one of the most requested Gemini enhancements in Chat this year, translate for me will automatically detect and translate over 120 languages to a user’s preferred language. Rather than requiring users to navigate outside of Chat to translate a message, this update reduces friction and improves collaboration with colleagues, partners and customers in other parts of the world. 

translate for me in Google Chat


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • Automatic translation via translate for me will be OFF by default. Turn ON the automatic translation setting at chat.google.com (web) or on your Android or iOS device by going to Settings > Automatic Translation > select the box for ‘Translate messages to your preferred language.’ 
      • This feature translates messages received into your preferred language (based on your Google account settings). Please allow up to 24 hours for this feature to update languages when languages are changed in your Google account settings. 
      • These translated messages are viewable only to you. 
    • Automatic translation only applies to message content inside the conversation stream and does not show up on message snippets in Home or notifications. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Automatic Translation in Chat.

Rollout pace 

  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 13, 2024, with expected completion by January 7, 2025 
  • Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on January 15, 2025 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons: 
  • Gemini Business and Enterprise 
  • AI Meetings and Messaging 

Resources 

9.
NotebookLM Plus now available to Google Workspace customers
December 13, 2024  15:33:48

What’s changing

Today, we’re announcing that NotebookLM Plus, our newest and most advanced version of NotebookLM, is available to Gemini for Google Workspace customers. In addition to what's already included with NotebookLM, which we introduced in September, this enhanced version allows users to: 
  • Get 5x more Audio Overviews, queries, notebooks, and sources per notebook 
  • Customize the style and length of their notebooks 
  • Create shared notebooks for their team and get usage analytics 
  • Use with confidence knowing their sources, queries and responses stay within their organization 
example of a strategic account planner and customer insights in NLM Plus


Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users (18+) with a Gemini for Google Workspace add-on or Gemini Education add-on. 
  • NotebookLM Plus is available in 180+ regions where Gemini API is available and currently supports 35+ languages. For Audio Overviews, while you can upload sources from all supported languages, the spoken audio is currently only available in English. 
  • See the ‘Getting started’ section below to learn more about adding Gemini to your Google Workspace plan. 

Why you’d use it 

NotebookLM Plus supercharges productivity and collaboration through AI that’s grounded in the information you provide. For example: 
  • Sales teams can add their product roadmap and feature specs, competitor benchmarking analysis, customer audio interviews, and market research to NotebookLM Plus. As a result, NotebookLM can help you prepare for customer meetings by creating an account plan to help your team find information faster and better engage with customers. 
  • Marketers can use NotebookLM Plus to help summarize customer trends and purchase behaviors, draft communications, create campaign briefs, and more–all based on market research, customer segmentation analysis, and marketing roadmaps. 
  • Educational customers can add their district’s strategy plan, education standards, lecture notes and/or course readings to get real-time summaries, guided lesson plans, discussion questions, quizzes and more. They can also generate audio overviews to take learning on the go and make content more accessible, digestible and engaging.

Additional details 

NotebookLM Plus is an Additional Service and is covered under the NotebookLM Plus for Workspace Additional Terms of Service.

As a Gemini for Workspace user of NotebookLM Plus, your uploads, queries and the model's responses are not used to train models and are not reviewed by humans. Your data remains your data and any files uploaded, queries and responses are not shared outside your organization’s trust boundary. 

Users can only upload sources from Workspace that they have permission to access. Furthermore, they can control who has access to their notebooks and set more granular permissions within each. Notebooks can only be shared within your organization. 


Getting started 

Rollout pace

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons: 
  • Gemini Business 
  • Gemini Enterprise 
  • Gemini Education 
  • Gemini Education Premium 

Resources 

10.
Improvements to mentions in Google Chat
December 18, 2024  21:21:09

Update
[December 18, 2024] We have updated the rollout information for this feature. See the Rollout section below for more details.

What’s changing

We know there are scenarios in which you may want to reference a person with an @mention without adding them to a conversation in Google Chat. Starting today, when mentioning a user that is not already in the conversation, you will have the option to add them and send the message, or just send the message without adding them. 
option to add them and send the message in chat, or just send the message without adding them.
We’re also adding visual improvements by rendering @mentions as smart chips, which brings them more in line with Drive chips in Chat and smart chips across Workspace. With simplified colors, your personal mentions still stand out the most and will be easily spotted in conversations, Home and Mentions.

color of @mentions in Chat

On web, hovering on the chip will show more information about the person and clicking the chip will start a new 1:1 direct message with them. 
clicking on a people chip in chat

Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why you’d use it 

This feature reduces friction for users by making it easier to provide context when composing messages. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • On web, go to chat.google.com or Chat in Gmail and type “@[a person’s name or email address]” to mention them. This functionality is supported across 1:1 direct messages, group direct messages, and spaces. 
    • Note that you can only add members to a conversation in group direct messages and spaces. In 1:1 direct messages, when you mention someone they are treated as a reference and not added directly. 
    • This functionality will rollout on Android and iOS devices in Q1 2025. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more mentioning someone or adding someone to a message.

Rollout pace 

  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 12, 2024, with expected completion by January 6, 2025
  • Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on January 14, 2025 

Availability 

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

Resources 

11.
New Google Chat usage reports provide deeper insights into user engagement
December 12, 2024  20:30:46

What’s changing

From the introduction of spaces, huddles, voice messages, and more, Google Chat has added major new features and transformed significantly over the past several years. As a result, usage reports for Google Chat are evolving as well. Beginning today, we’re pleased to introduce new, information-rich usage reports to help Workspace administrators understand how their teams are using Google Chat. 


The charts being added are: 
  • User activity: the number of users based on two types (engaged and communicating) in the last 1 day and 28 days over a period of the last 180 days. 
    • “Engaged” users: these users read conversations. These users may, but are not required to, send messages and react to messages.
    • “Communicating” users: these users send or react to messages. The number of communicating users is a subset of engaged users. 
  • Messages sent: the number of messages sent by users of your organization in 1 day, 7 day, and 28 day period over a period of the last 180 days. 
  • Messages sent by conversation type: the number of messages sent in 1 day in direct messages, group and space conversations over a period of the last 180 days. 
  • Messages sent by type: the number of messages sent in 1 day broken out by message type: regular message, voice or video, huddle over a period of the last 180 days. 
  • Messages sent with attachment: the number of messages sent with or without attachments in 1 day over a period of the last 180 days.
  • Messages sent to conversations with external participants: the number of messages sent to conversation that include or may include users external to your organization over a period of the last 180 days.
  • Created spaces*: the number of spaces created by users of your organization in 1 day over a period of the last 180 days 
  • Active spaces*: the number of spaces owned by your organization in 1 day over a period of the last 180 days.

Updated Apps Reports for Google Chat




Admins can view user level data for Google Chat, as you can with Gmail, Drive, and other apps today. Admins can also view how many conversations were read, how many messages were sent, how many attachments* were uploaded, and more. They can also sort this information by specific organizational units or groups to assess adoption or usage within specific parts of organization

User level reporting for Google Chat



*Active Spaces and Created Spaces charts may show different numbers from those in Active Rooms and Active Rooms legacy charts. Active Spaces and Created Spaces charts only count conversations of ‘space’ type; Active Rooms and Created Rooms count conversations of space group conversation types.
*Attachments can be viewed in the security investigation tool.

Who’s impacted

Admins

Why it’s important

The updated reporting aligns trackable metrics with the current Chat experience and provides essential data for analyzing and driving adoption, configuring safety features, and more. 

For instance, admins can gain a deeper understanding of how their users are engaging with chat, differentiating between those who actively participate (send, react) and those who are primarily only reading messages. Organizational leaders  can use these insights to assess the need for further product training to boost adoption. Additionally, monitoring the volume of messages sent to external users can signal to admins that safety measures should be implemented, like establishing data loss prevention (DLP) rules to safeguard sensitive information.

Additionally, Chat is now represented in app usage reports, alongside other products like Google Drive and Gmail. While each set of apps has their own unique set of metrics, admins now have another data set to draw on when analyzing how their users are interacting with Google Workspace apps

Additional details

With the implementation of these new, information rich charts, we’re planning to remove the following charts on July 1, 2025:
  • Active Rooms
  • Created Rooms
  • Active Users
  • Messages Posted

Also note that:
  • Some metrics will take time to populate, such as the 7-day or 28-day views.
  • If you've used the 'Manage Reports' or 'Manage Columns' features to customize the App Reports or User Reports pages, you'll need to adjust your settings to see the new Google Chat charts and columns. These customization features, which allow you to hide, unhide, and rearrange the order of chats or columns, will prevent the new Google Chat data from automatically appearing in your reports. 

Getting started

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

Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers

Resources

12.
Now generally available: the Groups Editor & Groups Reader roles can now be provisioned for specific group types
December 12, 2024  17:33:28

What’s changing

At the beginning of the year, we launched the ability to assign the Groups Editor and Groups Reader roles for security groups or non-security groups in open beta. Beginning today, this feature is now generally available. Groups Admins have access to all groups. The new roles of Groups Editor and Groups Reader offer delegated admin permissions for groups, and can use conditions to limit access to sensitive groups as needed.

Getting started: 

13.
Gemini for Workspace usage reports now include Gemini usage per app interactions
December 12, 2024  16:23:03

What’s changing

Starting today, we’re introducing additional usage metrics on the Gemini for Workspace reports in the Admin console. This report will now provide admins additional information about Gemini usage per app by users, specifically:

  • The number of times Gemini content summarization and content generation features were used in Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets by users.
  • The number of messages exchanged when chatting with the Gemini App and Gemini in the sidepanel of various apps by users.

Gemini usage reports in the Admin console


Getting started

  • Admins: Admins can access these reports via the admin  console under Menu > Generative AI > Gemini reports. Visit the Help Center to learn more about reviewing Gemini usage in your organization.
  • End users: There is no end user impact or action required.

Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available for Google Workspace customers with the Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education and Gemini Education Premium add-ons.

Resources


14.
Adding folder support to Gemini in the side panel of Google Drive
December 11, 2024  17:48:13

What’s changing

Since rolling out Gemini in the side panel of Google Drive, users have been able to summarize one or multiple documents, get quick facts about a project, and more. We also introduced a new way for users to interact with the Gemini side panel while viewing PDFs.

Today we’re excited to announce that you can now focus your Gemini conversations in Drive to a specific Drive folder using the side panel. For example, after indicating a specific folder via an @-mention, you can ask Gemini to find files in the folder or write a summary of the folder’s content. You could also ask things like: 
  • “Summarize files in @-folder” 
  • “What is the theme of the content in @-folder” 
summarizing a folder in Drive using Gemini


Additional details 

Gemini can only answer questions about text documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, and presentations. 


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: 
    • If Gemini in the side panel is closed, you can: 
      • Navigate to a folder, and click on the “Summarize this folder” button, or; 
      • Right-click on a folder in the doclist, and click on “Ask Gemini” in the context menu, or; 
      • Select a folder in a doclist, and click on “Summarize this folder” in the selection toolbar. 
    • If Gemini in side panel is already open, you can: 
      • Drag and drop a folder from the doclist into the side panel, or; 
      • @-mention a folder in the side panel’s textbox. 
    • If you are searching for a folder, you can: 
      • Click the Gemini icon next to the folder in the search dropdown box. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Google Drive. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons: 
  • Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium 
  • Google One AI Premium 

Resources 

15.
Available in open beta: prevent sensitive changes by locking Groups
December 10, 2024  17:05:51

What’s changing

Admins can now label a Google Group as “Locked,” which will heavily restrict changes to group attributes (such as group name & email address) and memberships. This will help admins who sync their groups from an external source and want to prevent getting out of sync, or who want to restrict changes to sensitive groups. This feature will be available in open beta, which means no additional sign-up is required. 

The Group Details page in the Admin console shows a “Locked” label on the group, with the message â€œYou can’t update this group - it might be managed by an external identity system.”


Who’s impacted

Admins

Why it’s important

If you use third-party tools, like Entra ID, to manage group synchronization, you may encounter inconsistencies when modifications are made to these groups, like adding or removing members, for example. To help address this, we’re introducing the option to “lock” a group, which will prevent modifications within Google Workspace and help maintain synchronization with the external source. 

When a group is locked, only certain admins* can modify:

  • The group name, description, email, and alias(es)
  • Group labels
  • Memberships (adding or removing members) and member restrictions
  • Membership roles
  • Delete the group
  • Set up a new membership expiry

When a group is locked, access and content moderation settings are not affected, this includes:

  • Who can post
  • Who can view members
  • Who can contact members
  • Membership removals due to an existing membership expiry
  • Access or content moderation settings

*Super Admins, Group Admins, and Group Editors with a condition that includes “Locked Groups”

Additional details

By default, the changes listed above will be restricted from end users, including group owners and managers of a locked group. If you want to also restrict some admins from making these changes in the Admin Console or APIs, you can assign them the Group Editor role with a condition that excludes locked groups. 

The ability to lock or unlock a group using the “Locked” label is available to Super Admins, Group Admins, or a custom role with the “Manage Locked Label” privilege. Lock a group using the “Locked” group label in the Admin Console, or the Cloud Identity Groups API.


Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
  • Also available to Cloud Identity Premium customers

Resources


16.
Create fully stylized documents using Gemini in Google Docs
December 10, 2024  15:13:56

What’s changing 

Building upon AI-powered features such as help me write, image generation, and more using Gemini in Google Docs, we’re excited to introduce a new way for users to create highly structured, styled, and visually-appealing documents with Gemini. 

Today, we’re introducing help me create, a new feature that lets you build a full document using content in Drive from a single, custom prompt. Simply click to create at the top of a new document or go to File > New > Help me create to get started. After describing the document you want to create, which includes the option to pull in content from your files using “@ filename", Gemini will transform your blank page into a long-form document with cover images, in-line images, stylized text, tables, content from your Drive files, and more. 
help me create in Google Docs

Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why you’d use it 

Help me create is designed to help you get started with a first draft of your document. For example: 
  • A marketing manager at a CPG company can create a launch plan for a new product using the following prompt: Create a marketing plan to support the launch of a new line of coffee flavors. Include timing, owners, deliverables, and create a cover image that shows different types of coffee. 
  • A manager can create a vision document to keep their team on track by telling Gemini: Create an overview document of our team charter and goals based on [Team charter brainstorm notes], and include a cover image that shows team bonding in an office setting. 
  • A small business owner specializing in eco-friendly products can create a proposal for a new client by typing: Create a proposal for my new client using the deliverables listed in [Customer meeting notes - November 30, 2024]. Outline the scope of work, pricing, and timing, and create a cover image that shows eco-friendly cleaning products and inline images. 
You can also choose from a variety of starter prompts to expedite the creation process for common document use cases. For example, you can select: 
  • A roadmap for a product launch that includes strategy breakdowns and outlines key milestones, timelines, and initiatives (with the option to include images for each feature). 
  • A party planning checklist with a timeline of tasks, milestones, deadlines, and dependencies. 
  • A template for a 15-minute daily standup meeting with teammates that includes a table for each individual to leave their updates. 


Getting started 


Rollout pace

  • Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 10, 2024 
  • Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 16, 2024, with expected completion by January 9, 2025 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons: 
  • Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium 
  • Google One AI Premium 

Resources 
17.
Build high-quality, modern documents faster in Google Docs with 40 new templates
December 18, 2024  20:26:13

Update
[December 18, 2024] We have updated the rollout information for this feature. See the Rollout section below for more details.

What’s changing

We recently released our refreshed library of templates in Google Slides, and today we’re introducing a collection of 40 new high-quality, visually modern designs in Google Docs. 

These pre-made pageless templates consist of several new features that make your documents visual and effective. Document tabs keep your documents organized, placeholder chips make it easy for you and your collaborators to add data, and building blocks, pre-set layouts and styles give your document a premium look and feel. Accessible via the “Templates” button at the top of a newly created document or by going to File > New > From template gallery in an open document, users can find customizable templates that cater to a wide range of use cases. For example, there are templates for blog posts, press releases, business proposals, and journals, in addition to: 

  • A project roadmap, marketing plan, and sales emails for business users. 
  • An interview guide, onboarding guide, and training manual for human resource teams. 
  • A reading list and class notes templates for education users. 
new templates in Docs

Who’s impacted 

End users


Why you’d use it 

Docs templates help users save time since they don’t have to build documents from scratch, create more uniform, high-quality, visually-appealing documents, and enable them to be more productive with the latest Docs features in their daily processes. 


Additional details

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


Getting started 

Rollout pace 

Availability

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

Resources 

18.
Introducing Gemini Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI™)
December 9, 2024  21:37:45

What’s changing

We’re pleased to introduce Gemini LTI™, an AI-powered assistant that can integrate into third party Learning Management Systems (LMS). Gemini LTI™ helps enhance the educational experience for both educators and students by providing AI-driven tools and features powered by Gemini within their LMS environment. To start, Gemini LTI™ integrates with Canvas by Instructure and Powerschool Schoology Learning. 





Who’s impacted

Admins and end users


Why you’d use it

Google is committed to making AI helpful for everyone, in the classroom and beyond. Bringing Gemini into LMS tools helps educators boost their creativity and productivity to create more dynamic and engaging learning experiences for their students. Specifically, educators can use the AI tools to:

  • Outline a lesson plan, including learning objectives.
  • Generate a quiz and export it to Google Forms.
  • Create a hook to spark curiosity and engage your students.

Students can further solidify what they’re learning in the classroom or explore new topics alongside an AI:
  • In-the-moment assistance: get unstuck and keep learning going by get clarification in real time. 
  • Learning coach: get a step-by-step learning plan built around specific learning goals.
  • Brainstorming partner: generate fresh ideas for a research paper, additional authors to read, and more.
  • Feedback on writing: get suggestions on how to strengthen your arguments and hone your ideas
  • Mock interviews: prepare for an upcoming internship or extra curricular interview.


Additional details

Gemini LTI™ is part of Google Workspace LTI, our suite of LTI™ tools, including Assignments LTI™, Google Drive LTI™, and Google Meet LTI™. Visit our Help Center to learn more about Workspace LTI™. 


Getting started

19.
Create and manage rubrics using the Google Classroom API
December 9, 2024  15:25:29

What’s changing 

The Google Classroom API enables third-party developers to manage classes, rosters, invitations and more in Google Classroom. Since 2019, teachers have been able to create or reuse a rubric for an assignment, however this capability did not previously exist in the Classroom API. To improve upon this experience, we’re excited to announce that developers can now manage assignment rubrics via the Classroom API. 

More specifically, developers can read and write rubrics using the API, and also see student submission scores broken down by the corresponding rubric criteria, rather than just accessing the total score, enabling deeper insights into student performance. 

Create and manage rubrics using the Google Classroom API

Who’s impacted

Admins and developers 


Why it’s important 

This update enables developers to create and manage rubrics on behalf of teachers at scale, and retrieve rubric-based grades to support more holistic student performance insights. 


Getting started

  • Admins: The Classroom API provides a RESTful interface for you to manage courses and rosters in Google Classroom. Learn more about the Classroom API overview. 
  • Developers:

Rollout pace 

  • Available now. 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
  • Education Plus 

Resources

20.
Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - December 6, 2024
December 18, 2024  20:13:43

3 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.


Adding improved accessibility tagging to PDFs exported from Google Docs 
To improve the ability for users with screen readers and other assistive technology to read and navigate PDFs, we’re adding more structural and accessibility tagging in PDFs exported from Google Docs. Specifically, we’ve improved tagging for paragraphs, headings, hyperlinks, image alt text, and lists. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains, with expected completion by mid January 2025. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google Docs with a screen reader.


Improving out of office notifications in Google Chat group messages and spaces 
Today, if you navigate to a 1:1 direct message with someone who is out of office, you will see a banner that shows the person is out of office and the date they are returning. We’re excited to announce that this banner will now extend to group messages and spaces. | Rollout 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 mentioning someone else in a Chat message. 
Improving out of office notifications in Google Chat group messages and spaces

Easily discover Google Workspace Marketplace apps in Google Docs
We’re making it easier for users to discover and install relevant add-ons and apps available in the Google Workspace Marketplace. Starting this week, when you add a link into a Google Doc that is supported by select Marketplace apps, you will be prompted to install the relevant add-on. Once installed, you can replace the link with a third-party smart chip and preview relevant app information upon hovering over the chip. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for December 10, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about inserting third-party smart chips from other applications.


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.


Now generally available: Policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Vids and Drive
Earlier this year, we introduced a beta for policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. This is now generally available, and as a result, users who are interacting with policy-protected content, such as those with data loss prevention (DLP) rules or trust rules, will now be informed about what actions are prevented by those policies. | Learn more about policy visualization. 

New beta that supports running Google Drive on Arm-compatible Windows PCs now available 
We're excited to announce beta support for Drive for desktop on Windows 11 devices powered by Snapdragon processors. Compiled natively for ARM64, this release enables users to easily sync and store files online from Windows PCs powered by Snapdragon. | Learn more about the beta for running Google Drive on Arm-compatible Windows PCs.

Now generally available: configure third-party apps by select API scopes 
Earlier this year, we launched the ability to configure third-party apps by select API scopes to open beta. This feature is now generally available. | Learn more about configuring third-party apps by select API scopes. 

Available in beta: Convert your client-side encrypted spreadsheets after a Vault or Takeout export 
After a Vault or Data export (Takeout), admins can now convert their exported client-side encrypted spreadsheets to Excel files. | Learn more about CSE spreadsheets. 

Adding granular control options for who can respond to Google Forms
Form creators can limit response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences—similar to how file owners can restrict the sharing of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or Sites in Drive. | Learn more about controls on Form responses.

Assign Calendar resources to organizational units 
Admins can now assign Calendar resources, such as rooms, projectors, or company cars, to specific organizational units. Upon doing so, the resource will be governed by the policies and settings of the assigned organizational unit (OU), including data location policies. | Learn more about assigning Calendar resources. 

Request an eSignature on PDF files 
You can now request electronic signatures on PDF files stored in Google Drive. | Learn more about eSignature on PDF files. 

Tackle repetitive tasks, extract deeper insights, and more with the latest premade Gems in the Gemini app 
We’re introducing several new Gems which you can leverage across a variety of areas, including common use cases for teams across sales, customer service, marketing, human resources, and more. | Learn more about premade Gems in the Gemini app. 

HIPAA and additional ISO certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile 
We’re pleased to announce the attainment of HIPAA, ISO 27701, 27017, 27018, 9001, and 42001 certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile.| Learn more about certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile.


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).

21.
HIPAA and additional ISO certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile
December 6, 2024  20:12:15

What's changing

We’re pleased to announce the attainment of HIPAA, ISO 27701, 27017, 27018, 9001, and 42001 certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile. These certifications give customers the peace of mind that data (including personally identifiable, financial and medical information) submitted to or generated by the Gemini app will be handled in accordance with recognized security controls and privacy frameworks.

With these certifications, Gemini for Workspace and the Gemini app each have a comprehensive set of safety, privacy and security certifications internationally recognized by regulatory and compliance bodies.

The achievement of ISO 42001, the world's first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS), certifies that Gemini has been developed, deployed, and maintained responsibly with appropriate ethical considerations, data governance, and transparency. To date, no other generative AI offering for productivity and collaboration has met this level of recognition, showing that Gemini is the first in the industry ready to support businesses and public sector organizations while benefiting all users.





Additional details



Getting started

Rollout pace

  • Available now

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

22.
Tackle repetitive tasks, extract deeper insights, and more with the latest premade Gems in the Gemini app
December 6, 2024  20:15:31

What’s changing

Earlier this year we introduced Gems for the Gemini app, which are custom AI experts that you can build across a variety of topics. At launch, we included several premade Gems, which allow you to easily chat with an already built, topic-defined Gem, like a writing editor or coding partner.

Launching first in English, we’re introducing several new Gems which you can leverage across a variety of areas, including common use cases for teams across sales, customer service, marketing, human resources, and more. Specifically, these Gems are:

  • Sales pitch ideator
  • Hiring consultant
  • Outreach specialist
  • Copy creator
  • Sentiment analyzer

The starting point for one of the new premade Gems, Outreach specialist, in the Gemini



Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use them

Gems empower users to streamline time-consuming tasks, generate innovative ideas, and enhance productivity. By minimizing repetitive prompting, Gems provides a tailored experience, maximizing the efficiency and potential of Gemini to meet your specific needs:

  • Sales pitch ideator can help sales teams create compelling pitch materials to drive conversions. 
  • Hiring consultant can help hiring teams write requirements based on job descriptions for similar positions. 
  • Outreach specialist can help sales and customer support teams craft personalized messages to customers.
  • Copy creator can help marketing teams write appealing branded content.
  • Sentiment analyzer can help customer-facing teams analyze feedback and reveal sentiment trends over time. 

Getting started

  • Admins: Gems are available in Gemini (gemini.google.com) by default — there is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: These premade Gems will be available starting in English. We hope to expand to additional languages soon. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Gems.

Rollout pace

  • Available now.


Availability

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

Resources


23.
Request an eSignature on PDF files
December 4, 2024  16:15:53

What’s changing 

Earlier this year we introduced eSignature in Google Docs for select Google Workspace customers. eSignature helps you request, track, and add signatures to official contracts, and more. 


Today, we’re pleased to announce that you can now request electronic signatures on PDF files stored in Google Drive. This capability includes custom fields, such as phone number, job title, company, etc. Expanding eSignature to include PDFs will make it even easier to request and capture signatures all without leaving Workspace.

Requesting an eSignature on a PDF stored in Google Drive


Getting started



Rollout pace


Availability

Available for Google Workspace:
  • Business Standard and Plus
  • Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus
  • Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Education Plus
  • Also available to Google Workspace Individual subscribers 

Resources


24.
Assign Calendar resources to organizational units
December 4, 2024  15:47:06

What’s changing

Admins can now assign Calendar resources, such as rooms, projectors, or company cars, to specific organizational units. Upon doing so, the resource will be governed by the policies and settings of the assigned organizational unit (OU), including data location policies.


Getting started


Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available for Google Workspace Enterprise Plus and Assured Controls customers

Resources


25.
Adding granular control options for who can respond to Google Forms
December 4, 2024  16:02:19

What’s changing

Last year, we ​​introduced a beta that gives Google Forms creators more granular control over who can respond to their forms via sharing settings. 

Previously, form creators had two sharing options: restrict responses to users within their domain (and trusted domains) or make forms public (i.e. anyone with the URL can respond). 

With this new option, now generally available, form creators can limit response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences—similar to how file owners can restrict the sharing of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or Sites in Drive. 

Adding granular control options for who can respond to Google Forms




Who’s impacted 

Admins, end users and developers 


Why you’d use it 

This feature is useful in any scenario where you’d like to control who can respond to a form. For example, business leaders can better collect feedback from specific organizational units and prevent the form from being responded to by other teams or organization units. Similarly, teachers can use this to ensure a quiz is only accessible to select students who receive the link.


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • Form creators must publish their form to enable responders to view the form or submit a response. 
    • Form creators can see who has access to the form and share response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about publishing & sharing your form with responders.

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts
    • Note: The target audiences feature mentioned above is only available for the Google Drive and Docs and Google Chat services. Supported editions for this feature on Drive, Docs & Chat include: Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus. Supported editions for this feature on Drive & Docs only include: Business Standard, Nonprofits and G Suite Business. 

Resources