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What’s changing
In continuing our effort to make Google Chat your home for team collaboration, we’re excited to introduce a fast and flexible way to connect: huddles. 

Powered by Google Meet, huddles let you start an audio-first meeting, making real-time collaboration easier than ever. Once the huddle has started, you can resize or drag the window, add video, or share your screen for a fuller meeting experience while multitasking in Chat. 

Huddles provide a seamless collaboration experience across Chat and Meet, and can be useful in a variety of scenarios, such as two colleagues syncing quickly to discuss a project they’ve been messaging about in their Chat stream. 
starting a huddle in google chat
Who’s impacted 
End users 


Why you’d use it 
Huddles help to reduce meeting fatigue for hybrid workers, and eliminates the need for lengthy discussions over email or in Chat. Instead of jumping out of the conversation and into a meeting, huddles integrates directly and smoothly into the Chat experience. The format of huddles also supports multi-tasking while in Chat as you can easily resize or share your screen. 


Additional details
The Meet video button that’s currently in the compose bar of Chat is moving to the Chat header, giving you multiple options such as the ability to call, start a huddle, or share a Meet link through a single entry point. 


Getting started 
  • Admins: If Meet is turned OFF for users in your domain, they will not be able to create Huddles, but they can join Huddles. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning on Meet meetings and calls for your organization. 
  • End users:
    • Huddles are available in direct messages, group messages and spaces. 
    • To start a huddle in Chat, click the Video icon in the top right corner of your chat message > select Start a huddle. 
      • Huddles start audio only as default but you can turn video on at any moment. 
    • When you’re requested to join a huddle, you will see a chat chip in your message thread that says [user] has started a huddle, click “Join” to enter the huddle. You will also see the huddles toggle in the Chat header for that conversation. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about huddles in Google Chat. 

Rollout pace 
  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 27, 2024, with expected completion by December 20, 2025 
  • Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on January 6, 2025 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
  • Business Starter, Standard, and Plus 
  • Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus 
  • Frontline Starter and Standard 
  • Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus 
  • Nonprofits 
Resources 
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What’s changing

Beginning today, the Gemini mobile app for Android and iOS devices is now available for Google Workspace users accessing Gemini as a core service. With the Gemini mobile app, users will be able to do research or find quick answers while on the go. They can also leverage the camera of the phone to take pictures of handwritten notes and export them into Google Docs or Gmail, or create presentation-ready visualizations of a chart that was drawn on a whiteboard; All of this comes with the enterprise data protections Google Workspace customers are accustomed to. 

As part of this roll out, we’re also extending access to the Gemini mobile app for all Education users, both as a core service with a qualifying edition and as an additional service.


Access the Gemini mobile app on Android and iOS



Additional details

  • Refer to this article in our Help Center, Gemini mobile app availability, for a list of supported languages, countries, and age requirements for the Gemini mobile app.
  • Currently, some Gemini app features available on the web aren’t available to Google Workspace users in the mobile app. This includes Workspace extensions, file upload, and Gems. Refer to this article in our Help Center for more details: Use Gemini Apps with a work or school Google Account.
  • Currently, the Gemini app on Android does not support Work Profile.
  • The Google mobile app on iOS, which includes Gemini, will not support authenticating with your Google Workspace account. iOS users hoping to authenticate with their Google Workspace account must install the Gemini mobile app.
  • There is no impact to Google Workspace users accessing the Gemini app as an additional service. These users will continue to be able to access the Gemini mobile app.

Getting started
Rollout pace

Availability
Available for Google Workspace:
  • 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 edition
  • Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus 

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

Resources

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2 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.


Find files more easily with the Drive Android file picker
In 2023, we introduced a streamlined file organization with the new Google Drive location picker on web. Now, we’re rolling out similar improvements to the Drive app on Android devices. This update will make it easier to find recently viewed Drive items and clearly see what other storage locations besides "My Drive" are available to you, such as items you have access to within shared drives. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for December 2, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about how to use Google Drive. 
Drive files on Android

View tasks lists on the Google Calendar Android app 
Last year, we introduced full screen tasks lists for Google Calendar on web, enabling users to see all their tasks and task lists in a single full screen view. This week, we’re excited to announce that this same functionality is now available on Android devices. This update makes it easier for users to stay on top of and organize their tasks, especially while on-the-go. | Rolling out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains now. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about Google Tasks.
tasks lists on the Google Calendar Android app


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.


Easily respond to comments and access requests without leaving Google Chat with the auto-installed Google Drive Chat app 
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. | Learn more about the auto-installed Google Drive Chat app.

Table reference improvements in Google Sheets
This week, we introduced updates to table references that enhance discoverability and usability. | Learn more about table references in Sheets.

Educators can now request access to third-party apps for their students 
We’ve introduced a new workflow that allows educators to request access to unconfigured third-party apps on behalf of their students. | Learn more about requesting access to third-party apps for students.

Automatic framing is now available to everyone in Google Meet video calls, plus an improved experience when using virtual backgrounds 
We’re expanding automatic framing to all users, as well as introducing an improved experience while using a virtual background. | Learn more about automatic framing in Meet.

Add multiple multimedia files to a single message in Google Chat 
Users can now upload and send up to 20 multimedia files (photos and videos) in one Chat message. | Learn more about sending multimedia files in Chat.

More ways to get started quickly with building blocks in Google Docs 
This week, we introduced 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. | Learn more about new building blocks in Google Docs.

New file picker method for pre-selecting Google Drive files coming soon 
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) in January 2025. | Learn more about the new file picker method for pre-selecting Google Drive files.

Easily find and navigate your Google Chat conversations by organizing them into custom sections
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. | Learn more about custom sections in Chat.

New Asus hardware kits for Google Meet
Asus is launching new hardware room kits certified for Google Meet that now offer daisy chain capabilities. Developed with AVer, this refreshed room kit portfolio will work in video conferencing rooms and spaces of just about any size. | Learn more about Asus hardware kits for Google Meet.



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: 


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    What’s changing

    Asus is launching new hardware room kits certified for Google Meet that now offer daisy chain capabilities. Developed with AVer, this refreshed room kit portfolio will work in video conferencing rooms and spaces of just about any size. After initial setup, admins can easily enroll, manage, and monitor these devices using the Google Workspace admin console. 



    The kits are composed of the following components:

    • Compute: We’re refreshing existing ASUS kits with a new ASUS Google Meet compute system. This new Meet compute system is slimmer and easier to deploy than previous versions, offering a longer device lifespan until September 2030. 
    • Controller: Mimo Myst controller
    • Audio: AVer Fone 540 speakermic (with expansion mics available for larger rooms)
    • Camera:
      • AVer Cam340+ for small and medium rooms
      • AVer Cam 520 Pro3 for large rooms
        • This device also features built-in third-party room framing, which helps ensure the room is optimally framed. You can turn on this framing from the device by selecting Control camera > Framing by Aver.

    Getting started
    • Admins: Asus room kits for Google Meet require Google Meet hardware licenses. The updated Asus Google Meet hardware kits for Google Meet are available today – contact your reseller to learn more. This device should be rebooted after installation and runs on M126 – visit the Help Center to check the latest status on M126.
    • End users: Once an Asus room kit has been successfully enrolled, you can join Google Meet meetings normally and take advantage of our embedded interoperability to join Zoom and Webex calls.
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    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] 
    making a custom section in google chat

    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.” 

    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 
    Toggling to show unreads on web

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

    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 
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    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

    Availability 
    • Available to all Google Workspace customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers 

    Resources 
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    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: 

    task tracker building block
    • 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: 
    contact list building block
    • 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: 
    decision log building block

    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: 

    browse, find, and preview building blocks in docs sidebar
    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 

    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 
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    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. 

    Adding multiple multimedia files to a single message


    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 
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    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

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

    Resources

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    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.

    Rollout pace

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

    Resources

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    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) 
        Improved table reference availability
    • 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 suggestions
    • Formula corrections for table references, which show a formula correction with a proper table reference when a formula is written incorrectly. 
    Formula corrections

    Getting started 
    Rollout pace 
    Availability
    • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts
    Resources 
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    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. 
    responding to a comment using Drive Chat app


    Getting started 

    Rollout pace 

    Availability 
    • Available to all Google Workspace customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers 

    Resources 
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    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: 
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    What’s changing 
    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. 

    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. 

    create an image in Docs with Gemini

    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. 

    create a cover image with gemini
    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
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    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. 

    replying in google chat home


    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 

    Availability
    • Available to all Google Workspace customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers 

    Resources 
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    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]. 
    Using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail to ask Calendar to set up a personal yoga event


    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 
    Availability 
    Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons: 
    • Gemini Business 
    • Gemini Enterprise 
    • Gemini Education 
    • Gemini Education Premium 
    • Google One AI Premium 
    Resources 
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    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
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    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 expected 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. 

    Search for and reuse pre-defined queries from BigQuery in Connected 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
    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. | Learn more about 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: 
    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.

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