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Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – April 19, 2024

1 New update

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.


Enhancing search within the Google Drive app on Android devices
Last month, we introduced numerous improvements to the Google Drive search experience on iOS devices. Today, we’re excited to announce that these enhancements will be available on Android devices as well. | This feature is available for Rapid Release domains and is rolling out now to Scheduled Release domains. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more about finding files in Google Drive. 




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.


Build a Dialogflow CX Google Chat app that understands and responds with natural language 
The enhanced Dialogflow CX, now generally available, provides a new way of designing virtual agents by taking a state machine approach to agent design. Now, developers have clear and explicit control over a conversation, enjoy a better end-user experience, and gain access to an improved development workflow. | Learn more about Dialogflow CX Google Chat apps.


Dark mode now available in Google Drive web 
We’ve introduced a highly requested feature: Dark mode in Drive on web. This new setting aims to provide you with a more comfortable, customizable viewing experience for Drive. | Learn more about dark mode.


Launch the FigJam whiteboard app directly from Google Meet Series One Board 65 and Desk 27 devices 
You can now launch FigJam both in and out of an active Meet call from the Series One Board 65 and Desk 27 devices. | Learn more about the FigJam whiteboard app.


Use annotations to enhance your presentations in Google Meet 
We’ve introduced annotation tools in Google Meet. Presenters and their appointed co-annotators can use these tools to highlight content or make other notations over presented content. Annotations will be on by default when you begin presenting — you can open the annotations menu to access various tools such as a pen, disappearing ink, sticker, text box, and more. | Learn more about annotations. 


Promote space members to space managers using the Google Chat API 
You can now use the Chat API to promote space members to space managers. | Learn more about managing members using the Chat API. 


Available in beta: automatically log Google Voice calls made to Salesforce contacts 
We’re introducing a beta integration between Google Voice and Salesforce that makes it easier to track details of calls made in Voice. | Learn more about logging Google Voice calls made to Salesforce contacts. 


Google Chat apps can now subscribe to event notifications 
Google Workspace developers registered in our Developer Preview Program have been able to build Chat apps that can subscribe to Chat events using the Google Workspace Events API. We’re pleased to announce that as of today, this functionality is now available to all Workspace developers. | Learn more about Chat apps subscribing to event notifications. 


Now generally available: Chat interoperability between Google Chat and other messaging platforms 
At Google Cloud Next 2023, we announced interoperability between Google Chat, Microsoft Teams and Slack— powered by Mio and previously available to Workspace customers through a Beta program. We’re pleased to announce that as of today, this solution is generally available for Google Workspace customers. | Learn more about the interoperability of Google 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).   





Promote space members to space managers using the Google Chat API

What’s changing 

Last year, we announced the ability to create spaces, memberships, group chats, and more using the Google Chat API. 

Today, we’re excited to introduce enhanced membership management using the Chat API. Specifically, you can now use the Chat API to promote space members to space managers. 
Promote space members to space managers using the Google Chat API


Getting started 


Rollout pace 

  • This feature is available now. 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers 

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – April 12, 2024

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.


Address access permissions for Google Drive embeds in Google Sites 
When adding embedded content from Google Drive into a Google Site, such as a PDF, document or presentation, site editors will now be prompted to address potential access permissions. The notification will also appear when site editors are publishing the site or sharing it with other site collaborators and viewers. This will ensure other site collaborators or viewers have permission to edit or view embedded Drive content when collaborating on a site. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for April 25, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more about adding Google files, videos, website content, & more.
Address access permissions for Google Drive embeds in Google Sites

Track usage for Gemini for Workspace users in the Admin console
We recently announced the Gemini Business add-on which provides a subset of generative AI features, subject to monthly usage limits. Gemini Business customers can now check a user’s Gemini limit status in the admin console. For Gemini Enterprise and Gemini Business customers, admins can check their user’s last Gemini usage date as well. | Gemini usage and limit status reports are now available. | Learn more about Usage limits in Gemini for Google Workspace.




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.


Introducing the AI Meetings and Messaging for Google Workspace add-on 
As we continue to expand our Gemini for Google Workspace offerings, we're excited to introduce the AI Meetings and Messaging add-on, which will help you have richer meetings and foster more meaningful collaboration. | Learn more about the AI Meetings and Messaging add-on. 

Introducing a new AI Security add-on for Google Workspace  
The AI Security add-on will give customers access to the AI Classification capability in Google Drive. AI Classification allows IT teams to automatically and continuously identify, classify, and label sensitive files across the organization. | Learn more about the AI Security add-on. 

Control your users’ access to new Gemini for Google Workspace features before general availability
We’re introducing a new setting in the Admin console which will give Gemini customers the ability to test Gemini for Google Workspace alpha features before they become generally available. Specifically, admins will be able to turn on alpha features for all Gemini provisioned Workspace users or for a subset of Gemini users in a particular Organizational Unit (OU) or Group. | Learn more about accessing Gemini for Google Workspace features. 

Protect sensitive admin actions with multi-party approvals 
To protect our customers from malicious actors taking sensitive admin actions, we’re launching multi-party approvals where one admin must approve certain sensitive actions initiated by another. | Learn more about multi-party approvals.

Changes to displaying the “deprovisioned” status for Google Meet hardware devices 
We are removing the “deprovisioned” state from the Admin console. You’ll no longer see devices in this state from the device status page (Devices > Google Meet Hardware > Devices), nor will you be able to filter for those labels. | Learn more about statuses for Google Meet hardware devices.



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




Introducing the AI Meetings and Messaging for Google Workspace add-on

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

As we continue to expand our Gemini for Google Workspace offerings, we're excited to introduce the AI Meetings and Messaging add-on, which will help you have richer meetings and foster more meaningful collaboration.


At launch, the AI Meetings and Messaging add-on will give customers access to Google Meet features such as studio look, studio lighting, studio sound, and take notes for me (coming soon in Alpha) allowing customers to have more effective and efficient meetings. In the future, AI Meetings and Messaging will also provide access to Gemini features in Google Chat features such as on-demand conversation summaries and automatic translation of messages.


Who’s impacted

Admins


Why it’s important

The AI Meetings and Messaging add-on, along with the new AI Security add-on also announced at Google Cloud Next ‘24, give our customers more ways to work with AI that best suits the needs of their organization. The AI Meetings and Messaging add-on can help enhance collaboration across Meet and Chat with a variety of features such as:

  • Generative backgrounds in Google Meet
  • Studio look, studio sound, and studio lighting in Google Meet
  • Real time translated captions in Google Meet
  • Take notes for me in Google Meet (coming soon in alpha) 
  • And upcoming features like:
    • Translate for me in Google Meet and Chat for automatic language detection and translation 
    • Adaptive audio in Google Meet for synchronized audio and no feedback when multiple users join a meeting from a room using only their laptops
    • Screenshare watermark in Google Meet to help discourage the copying and unauthorized distribution of shared content
    • On-demand conversation summaries in the home view of Google Chat to get you caught up quickly

Visit our Help Center for a complete list of features available for the AI Meetings and Messaging add-on. Keep an eye on the Workspace Updates blog for new feature launches in the future.


Additional details

Some announced Meet and Chat features for this add-on will be available later this year. More details on timing will be shared in the coming months here on the Workspace Updates blog. This announcement on the Workspace Updates blog has more information about how to enable alpha testing for your end users.


Getting started

Availability

The AI Meetings and Messaging add-on is available for the following Google Workspace Editions:
  • Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
  • Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus
  • Frontline Starter and Standard
  • Enterprise Essentials, Essentials Plus
  • Nonprofits

Resources


Introducing a new AI Security add-on for Google Workspace

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

As we continue to expand our Gemini for Google Workspace offerings, we're excited to introduce the AI Security add-on for Google Workspace customers. 

At launch, the AI Security add-on will give customers access to the AI Classification capability in Google Drive. AI Classification allows IT teams to automatically and continuously identify, classify, and label sensitive files across the organization. This capability is powered with privacy-preserving AI models that can be uniquely trained for the specific needs of your organization. Classified files can then be protected with existing data loss prevention (DLP) controls. 

Who’s impacted

Admins

Why it matters

Drive Labels enable Workspace Administrators to up-level their security posture by closely monitoring activity on labeled files, and using labels as a vehicle for data loss prevention and lifecycle management policies. The challenge with label-based policies is that they are only effective on files that are correctly identified and labeled. Further, labeling files placed a considerable manual burden on Admins.

This is where AI Classification can help. By training models on customer-identified examples of content that match their data classification definitions, AI Classification can evaluate files where text can be extracted to see if it should be labeled.  This enables organizations to achieve label coverage at a scale and accuracy that is very difficult to accomplish through traditional means and manual Admin intervention. Once labeled, the organization's data can be protected by fine-grained security policies. 


Availability

The AI Security add-on is available for the following Google Workspace Editions:
  • Business Standard and Plus
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Enterprise Essentials and Essentials Plus
  • Frontline Starter and Standard
  • Google Workspace for Nonprofits 

Resources


Control your users’ access to new Gemini for Google Workspace features before general availability

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

We’re introducing a new setting in the Admin console which will give Gemini customers the ability to test Gemini for Google Workspace alpha features before they become generally available. Specifically, admins will be able to turn on alpha features for all Gemini provisioned Workspace users or for a subset of Gemini users in a particular Organizational Unit (OU) or Group.

To configure Gemini access features, go to Account settings > Gemini for Google Workspace



Who’s impacted

Admins and end users


Why it matters

As our Gemini for Workspace offerings continue to evolve, you may consider allowing your users to test Gemini features in alpha. This will give your users a head start on leveraging our latest AI features and provide Google with helpful feedback to improve Gemini features before they’re generally available. Alpha features get the same robust data protection standards that come with all Google Workspace services.

Getting started

        Please consider the following before configuring alpha access for your users:
    • Your users will receive all Gemini for Workspace alpha features — it is not possible to enable a subset of features or opt-out of specific features. 
    • Features will appear in alpha as soon as they are available — there is no advanced notice of these features appearing for Gemini  for Workspace alpha provisioned users.
    • As these features are not yet generally available, we will not offer full support for these features. Alpha features get the same robust data protection standards that come with all Google Workspace services.
    • You can also help us improve Gemini for Workspace by allowing users at your organization to provide feedback via research studies and surveys. 
Additionally, we strongly recommend that you and your users sign up for the Google Workspace alpha community page. Subscribing to this page will help users stay on top of the latest Gemini for Workspace alpha features. You can also ask questions about the features on this page.

Rollout pace


Availability

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – April 5, 2024

1 New update

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.


Simplified troubleshooting of user issues in the Admin console
When viewing a user’s detail page in the Admin console, you’ll notice new “Investigate”, “Security”, and “Groups” tabs. Within these tabs, you can find all user-related information from security alerts to audit logs, group memberships, and security policies applied to the user. You can click out to the relevant sections of the Admin console where you can find more information on the event and take action if needed. Centralizing this information should reduce the time and effort required by admins to assess and take action on user issues. | This is available now to Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade and Frontline customers. | Learn more about investigating user problems with log events.
Simplified troubleshooting of user issues in the Admin console



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.


Assign the audit and investigation privilege on a per-application basis 
When delegating admin privileges for the Audit and Investigation Tool, you can now restrict access levels to audit data on a per application basis (eg: Admin, Drive logs etc.). This change ensures that access isn’t too broadly provisioned and delegated admins only have access to the apps relevant to their scope. | Learn more about assigning privileges.



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).  

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – March 29, 2024

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.


Send voice messages in Google Chat 
In continuing our efforts to improve the Google Chat experience and help ensure it’s a useful tool for seamless communication, especially when on the go, we’ve introduced voice messages on Chat mobile (with web support coming soon). | Available to Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus customers only. | Learn more about voice messages in Chat.

Workspace audit log exports in BigQuery now enriched with Drive label metadata 
For admins who analyze audit logs in BigQuery, these events are now enriched with Drive labels metadata. Admins leverage Drive labels to apply descriptive metadata, such as file sensitivity, to Drive items. With the enrichment of label metadata on log events, admins can now focus their analysis on activity occurring on their most important files by filtering on label conditions. | Available to Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus customers only. | Learn more about Drive label metadata. 

Access and sort shared files within a space in Google Chat more easily 
We’re enhancing the Files tab in Google Chat spaces to improve upon the file management experience and create a central place to manage all conversation-related artifacts. The updated tab will now be called Shared. | Learn more about Shared in Chat.

Launch Miro directly from Google Meet Series One Board 65 and Desk 27 devices 
Users now have the ability to launch Miro from a Series One Board 65 or Desk 27, either in an active Meet call or directly from the device home screen. | Learn more about launching Miro from 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: 

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

  

Workspace audit log exports in BigQuery now enriched with Drive label metadata

What’s changing

Google Workspace audit logs enable admins to have visibility into activity on their data, such as file shares and downloads, when it occurred, and who within the organization performed the action. The Google Drive audit events include activity on content your users create in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, as well as the files that your users upload to Drive, such as PDFs and Microsoft Word files. 

Today, we’re excited to announce that for admins who analyze these logs in BigQuery, these events are now enriched with Drive labels metadata. Admins leverage Drive labels to apply descriptive metadata, such as file sensitivity, to Drive items. With the enrichment of label metadata on log events, admins can now focus their analysis on activity occurring on their most important files by filtering on label conditions. 


Getting started 


Rollout pace 

  • This feature is available now. 

Availability 

  • Available to Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus 

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – March 22, 2024

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.


Search for files directly using new search bar in Google Drive
Last year, we introduced a new homepage view in Google Drive that makes it easier and faster for you to find files that matter most. Starting this week, you’ll notice an expanded search bar and enhanced search chip capabilities that enable you to filter files across your entire Drive. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for April 15, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more about how to use Google Drive 
Search for files directly from the new homepage view in Google Drive



Improving filtering for merged cells in Google Sheets 
We’re excited to announce that users can now filter ranges with merged cells in Google Sheets. 
  • For ranges with vertical merges, users can create a filter and apply various filter types (condition, values, and color). 
  • For ranges with horizontal merges, users can create a filter, apply various filter types (condition, values, and color), and sort by values or color. 
Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for April 3, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more about sorting & filtering your data.


Previous announcements

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



The current appointment slots feature in Google Calendar will be replaced by appointment schedules in July 2024 
To create a cohesive user experience in Calendar, as of July 18, 2024, the appointment slots feature will be replaced by appointment schedules. | Appointment schedules are available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits, Google Workspace Individual customers and Google One Premium users only. | Learn more about appointment scheduling.


Securely migrate existing encrypted messages to Gmail client-side encryption (CSE) 
Beginning this week, admins can migrate encrypted emails from other services like Microsoft 365, Microsoft Exchange, or Virtu, to Gmail client-side encryption in the S/MIME format. This enables Google Workspace customers to simplify the migration process by bulk importing sensitive emails as S/MIME messages without compromising their privacy or compliance posture. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus customers. | Learn more about securely migrating existing encrypted messages to Gmail CSE.


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