[go: up one dir, main page]

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: 
Labels: ,

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
Labels: , ,

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 
Labels: ,

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 
Labels: , , , ,

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
Labels: , ,

4 New updates

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




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


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

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).  
Labels: , , , , , ,

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


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



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



Who’s impacted
Admins and end users


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


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

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


Getting started

Rollout pace
  • Available now.

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

Resources

Labels: , ,

What’s changing 
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. For example, there are:
  • Sales pitches, product roadmaps and strategic plans templates for business users. 
  • Lesson plans, book reports and project reports templates for education users. 
  • Milestone celebrations, workshop facilitation and team game templates for anyone looking to build collaborative teams. 
Access these templates using the new "Templates" button in the Slides toolbar or by going to Insert > Templates. Once clicked, you can browse the collection, select a template that aligns with your vision and style, and choose to insert all slides or just the ones you need before personalizing the template with your own content. 

high-quality Google Slides templates


Who’s impacted 
End users 


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


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


Getting started
  • Admins: This feature will be ON by default for domains that do not have default templates & themes turned ON. Domains that have default templates & themes turned ON, will continue to see their company specific template. Visit the Help Center to learn more about default templates & themes. 
  • End users: 
    • In Google Slides, access templates using the top toolbar or by going to Insert > Templates. Visit the Help Center to learn more about templates in Google Slides. 
    • Note: This feature is only available for users using the "English (United States)" language setting. If your language settings are set to another form of English (eg - "English (United Kingdom)" or "English (Australia)", you will not have access to these templates. Visit the Help Center to learn more about updating your language. 
Rollout pace 
Availability 
  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts (using the "English (United States)" language setting) 
Resources 
Labels: ,

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

Vids can help deepen learning opportunities, up-level instruction, and inspire the next generation of storytellers in a variety of scenarios, for example: 
  • Educators can support diverse learning styles and help students retain information with instructional videos and deep dives on complex concepts. 
  • Students can work on video projects and review recorded lessons. 
  • Education leaders can easily incorporate video in their school newsletters and create internal training videos for staff. 
Similar to other productivity tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides, Vids includes a simple, easy-to-use interface and the ability to collaborate in real-time and share projects securely from your browser. You can easily get started with a variety of templates organized by use cases to create a new video. From there, you can add motion with animations, transitions, and photo effects, and customize your video using the Vids royalty free education-friendly stock content library or your own media directly from Google Drive or Google Photos. Vids is also integrated with Workspace tools like Google Classroom, empowering educators to easily assign video projects or post video explainers right to their students. As detailed here, Google Vids is a core Workspace Service covered under the Google Workspace for Education terms of service. 

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


Getting started 
  • Admins: 
  • End users: 
    • To start, open Google Vids and choose an option to create a new video. You can create a new video or make a copy of an existing video for editing. 
    • You can use Vids on your computer with the two most recent versions of these browsers: 
    • Dive into Google Vids with our free, self-paced online training course, designed specifically for educators and available now in the Google for Education Learning Center. You can also leverage this one pager to get a quick summary of what you can do with Vids. 
    • Currently, Vids is available in the user’s local language, but the AI features (e.g. Help me create a video, read-along teleprompter) and templates are only available in English at this time. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about getting started with Google Vids. 
    • Note: Create and copy access is available for Education Plus and Gemini for Google Workspace customers, while view and collaborate access is available to anyone with a Google Workspace for Education license. 

Rollout pace 
Availability 
Available for Google Workspace: 
  • Education Plus 
  • Customers with a Gemini Education or Education Premium add-on 

Resources 
Labels: , , , ,

What’s changing 
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. 

Today, we’re excited to announce the general availability of Google Vids for select Workspace editions. Here’s how you can use it:
  • Customer service teams are using Vids to provide better customer support, supplementing help center articles with videos. 
  • Leaders are creating vids to share company-wide updates and announcements. 
  • Learning and development teams are using Vids to deliver employee training and education at scale. 
  • Marketers are using vids inside their organizations to share recaps on their campaigns and events. 
  • Project management teams are building vids to share meeting recaps, business updates and report share outs. 
With Vids, you can easily build videos by tapping into the power of Gemini to help you get to a first draft faster using a set of generative AI capabilities. ‘Help me create’ can generate a fully editable initial storyboard using a prompt and a doc from your Google Drive. After choosing a style, Gemini pieces together your video draft with suggested scenes, including recommended stock media, text, scripts per scene, and even a background music track. 
                   





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

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




Similar to other productivity tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides, Vids includes a simple, easy-to-use interface and the ability to collaborate in real-time and share projects securely from your browser. 

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


Who’s impacted 
End users 


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


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

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


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


Getting started
  • Admins: Vids will be ON by default and can be disabled at the organizational level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Vids on or off for users and new core services coming to Google Workspace. 
  • End users: 
    • To start, open Google Vids and choose an option to create a new video. You can create a new video or make a copy of an existing video for editing. Visit the Help Center to learn more about getting started with Google Vids.
    • You can use Vids on your computer with the two most recent versions of these browsers: 
    • You can access our always-on resources in the Google Workspace Learning Center to learn what you can do with Google Vids. 
    • Currently, Vids is available in the user’s local language, but the AI features (e.g. Help me create, read-along teleprompter) are only available in English at this time. 
    • Note: View and collaborate access is available to anyone with a Google Workspace account, while create and copy access is available for select editions of Google Workspace and Gemini for Google Workspace customers. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 
Available for Google Workspace: 
  • Business Standard and Plus 
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
  • Essentials, Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus 
  • Education Plus* 
  • Customers with a Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education* or Education Premium* add-on 
*Please refer to the following Workspace Updates Blog to learn more about Vids availability for Google Workspace for Education customers. 

Resources 
Labels: , , ,