Now available: A refreshed user interface for Google Meet hardware touch controllers on Neat and Poly devices

On August 26, 2026, we are officially launching our updated user interface for Neat touch controllers and  the Poly TC8. Overall, the design allows users to concentrate on their meetings rather than searching for controls, resulting in a more efficient and aesthetically pleasing experience. | Learn more.

Generate interactive simulations and models in the Gemini app

Gemini can transform your questions and complex topics into custom, interactive visualizations — directly within your Gemini app chat.  | Learn more.

Restrict who can view the member lists in Google Chat spaces

Space owners and managers can now control who can view the full list of members in a Google Chat space, providing enhanced privacy and administrative control for sensitive, large-scale, or external collaboration spaces. | Learn more.

Introducing data import for Microsoft Teams: An easier, faster, and higher-fidelity migration to Google Workspace

For enterprise organizations, migrating communication history and collaboration channels to a new platform can feel daunting and risk interrupting daily business operations. To make this transition smoother, we are excited to announce that migrating chat data from Microsoft Teams to Google Workspace for large scale workloads is now generally available in data import. | Learn more.

Introducing data import for Microsoft OneDrive: An easier, faster, and higher-fidelity migration to Google Workspace

For enterprise organizations, migrating files along with their permissions to a new platform can feel daunting and risk interrupting daily business operations. To help simplify this transition, we are excited to announce general availability of Google Workspace data import (advanced mode) to support large-scale file migrations from Microsoft OneDrive. | Learn more.

Preserve and reuse grouped pivot table fields in Google Sheets

Google Sheets now supports grouped field persistence for pivot tables. When you create custom groupings or work with grouped date, time, or numeric fields, these fields are now retained directly in the pivot table editor sidebar as reusable source fields. | Learn more.

Control “Take notes for me” directly from Google Meet hardware touch controllers

On August 31, 2026, we’ll start rolling out the ability to start, stop, and manage the “Take notes for me” feature directly from the Google Meet Hardware touch controller for eligible meetings. This ensures in-room participants have direct control over Gemini note-taking without being in Companion mode. | Learn more.

Google Classroom now supports Context-Aware Access controls

We’re excited to introduce the ability to specify Context-Aware Access policies to control access to Google Classroom. This update allows Google Workspace administrators to set granular security parameters for Classroom access directly from the Admin console. | Learn more.

Improving Google Calendar’s interoperability with third-party video conferencing solutions

We are introducing improvements to Google Calendar that make it easier to join third-party video meetings, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Cisco Webex, when collaborating across different calendar and email clients. | Learn more.

Suppress email responses to calendar invitations and updates

We’re introducing a new per-event setting in Google Calendar that allows meeting organizers or their delegates to decide whether or not to receive RSVP emails and automatic responses, such as out-of-office messages and vacation responders. | Learn more.

Preview client-side encrypted PDF and image files directly in Google Drive, now available in beta

Previously, users needed to download encrypted non-native files to their local devices to view the contents. With this capability, authorized users can immediately preview encrypted content in their web browser without leaving Drive. | Learn more.

Gemini-based data classification in Google Drive is now available in open beta

This feature leverages Gemini models to apply data classification labels to files in Google Drive. Previously, AI classification required admins to identify and manually label training files for the AI model to learn the types of data associated with each data classification level. | Learn more.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Gemini-powered AI classification in Google Drive is now available in open beta.

By automating file identification and labeling across Drive, AI classification helps organizations enforce granular data loss prevention (DLP) policies at scale, establish retention rules, and utilize label metadata during audit investigations. This also becomes a critical aspect in elevating an organization’s security posture in the agentic era, preventing agentic workflows from accessing and acting autonomously on sensitive data. 

This feature leverages Gemini models to apply data classification labels to files in Google Drive. Previously, AI classification required admins to identify and manually label training files for the AI model to learn the types of data associated with each data classification level. With this new capability, Gemini models offer admins an alternative method for data classification that is faster and more efficient, eliminating the need for manual model training and replacing it with administrator-defined instructions.

In the Admin console, Gemini models interpret instructions, evaluate files, and apply appropriate data classification labels.

Administrators maintain full control of the Gemini-based data classification process. They select the label, provide Gemini with instructions, and scope the audience for the files being evaluated. For Gemini-labeled files, editors and owners of those files with the appropriate label permissions will have the opportunity to either review and accept, or modify the automatically-applied label. Audit logs capture when files are labeled, including any user acceptance or modification of a Gemini-applied label.

In the Admin console, once enabled, Workspace Admins can see metrics on the labels applied to files by Gemini.

Data classification is a critical activity for organizations that are conscious about data protection, compliance, and reporting. However, data classification can also be challenging to put into practice, particularly when it comes to accurately classifying files at scale. By using the new Gemini-based capabilities in AI classification for Drive, admins are able to achieve a higher degree of data classification accuracy at scale.

Rollout pace

• Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout to Open Beta — targeting completion by September 30th.

Getting started

• Admins: For customers on a supported product license, the option for configuring Gemini-based AI classification instructions will appear in the Workspace Admin Console under the Data Classification option in the Security section (Security > Access and data control > Data classification). Use our Help Center to learn more.
• End users: There is no end user setting for this feature.

Availability

• Enterprise: Enterprise Plus
• Education: Google AI Pro for Education
• Other Editions: Frontline Plus

Resources

• Google Drive Help: Label Google Drive files automatically using AI classification | Security & data protection

Client-side encryption (CSE) provides organizations control over access to their confidential data, with customer controlled encryption keys and data that is indecipherable to third-parties, including Google. Google Drive now supports direct file previewing for CSE files. Previously, users needed to download encrypted non-native files to their local devices to view the contents. With this capability, authorized users can immediately preview encrypted content in their web browser without leaving Drive.

This feature streamlines productivity and bolsters security by eliminating unnecessary downloads. At launch, preview is supported only on Drive, and for:

• Encrypted PDF documents
• Encrypted Image file formats

Admins with eligible Workspace licenses can sign up for the beta program, which provides access to the feature.

Preview of an encrypted PDF, accessible in Drive

Getting started

• Admins: Admins with eligible Workspace licenses can sign up for the beta program. We’ll provide more information on how to get started if you’re accepted.
• End users: This feature is ON for users in domains that have registered for the beta program.

Availability

• Enterprise: Enterprise Plus
• Education: Education Standard and Plus
• Other Editions: Frontline Plus, Assured Controls, Assured Controls Plus

Resources

• Google Workspace Admin Help: About client-side encryption
• Beta Application: Registration form

We’re introducing a new per-event setting in Google Calendar that allows meeting organizers or their delegates to decide whether or not to receive RSVP emails and automatic responses, such as out-of-office messages and vacation responders.

By default, this new setting, called “Get an email when guests respond,” is checked - ensuring organizers receive email responses for RSVPs. If the box is unchecked:

• Organizers will not receive RSVP emails from attendees using Google Calendar, but their RSVP status will still show up on the Calendar event.
• Organizers will not receive RSVP emails from attendees using third-party calendar tools (e.g. Outlook) and their RSVP status will not show up on the Calendar event.
• Organizers will not receive any email auto-replies (like out-of-office messages and vacation responders).

This feature is beneficial for organizers of large meetings, who don’t need to be informed about individual RSVP responses. Please note that for recurring events, this setting can only be applied to the full series.

Getting started

• Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
• End users: By default, meeting organizers will get email responses for RSVPs. To stop receiving email responses, a meeting organizer must uncheck the box. Visit the Help Center to learn more.

Rollout pace

• Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 28, 2026 
• Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on September 10, 2026 

Availability

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

Resources

• Google Help: Track responses to your event

A new LTS-144  version 144.0.7559.261(Platform Version: 16503.94.0), is being rolled out for most ChromeOS devices. 

In 2024, we introduced our site reputation policy to stop a practice where third-party content is published on a trusted website just to exploit that site's good reputation to rank higher in Search. This practice hurts search quality, and creates a bad experience for users.

Today we’re announcing three unversioned changes to the Display & Video 360 API and Structured Data Files that will take effect in October 2026 and may impact your existing integrations.

These changes will take place on the following dates and have been fully detailed on our Announced Deprecations page:

Starting October 1, 2026:

• You will no longer be able to exclude specific digital content labels using targeting, impacting available TARGETING_TYPE_DIGITAL_CONTENT_LABEL_EXCLUSION targeting options in the Display & Video 360 API and valid values for the Digital Content Labels - Exclude column in Line Item Structured Data Files.
• You will no longer be able to exclude the majority of sensitive categories using targeting, impacting available TARGETING_TYPE_SENSITIVE_CATEGORY_EXCLUSION targeting options in the Display & Video 360 API and valid values for the Brand Safety Sensitivity Setting and Brand Safety Custom Settings columns in Line Item Structured Data Files.

Starting October 12, 2026:

• You will be required to provide a business name and logo when you create or update YouTube responsive ads if default values are not already assigned to the parent advertiser, impacting the upload of Ad Structured Data Files.

If you believe these changes will impact your integration, follow the recommended actions in the change description.

If you have any questions or want to discuss this post, please reach out to us on our “Google Advertising and Measurement Community” Discord server.

- Trevor Mulchay, Display & Video 360 API Team

Most internet plans advertise download speed, but two other numbers shape your day-to-day experience more than most people realize: upload speed and latency.

Download speed is how fast information reaches you, like when browsing or updating a game. Upload is how fast information leaves, influencing whether you freeze on video or how quickly you share content to the cloud. And latency, or "ping," measures how instantaneous those actions feel. 

As of June 2026, Americans get an average of 305 Mbps (megabits per second) download speeds but only 58 Mbps upload. And latency varies even more by connection type: fiber typically runs at 10–20ms, with cable deeper into the double digits and satellite spiking into the hundreds.

GFiber's (formerly Google Fiber) 100% fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network delivers upload speeds that match downloads, with Lifestyle Products ranging from 1000 up to 8000 Mbps[1], and a typical latency of 14.8ms for instant response.[2]

For streamers, gamers, and remote workers, that combination of strong upload speed plus low latency is what makes their internet reliably fast. 

For gamers, the real opponent is lag

Whether you win or lose a game often comes down to your reaction time: partly your own reflexes and partly your connection’s latency.

Industry guidance puts the threshold for competitive gameplay under 20ms. At that level, even a small delay can mean your input registers a beat later than everyone else's. GFiber's typical 14.8ms latency keeps players well inside that window for competitive play, a major reason GFiber has been named PCMag's Best Gaming ISP three years running.[3] 

Gaming is a constant two-way conversation: your inputs go out and the game world comes back. This means your connection needs to perform well in both directions. Symmetrical upload speeds across GFiber's Core 1 Gig, Home 3 Gig, and Edge 8 Gig products keeps responsiveness consistent, so even multiple gaming stations can use the connection without a drop in performance.

For streaming, your upload speed is your broadcast

Live streaming sends video out nonstop, making upload speed the name of the game.

Twitch streaming needs roughly 8 to 15 Mbps to run smoothly, and YouTube's guidelines recommend 35 Mbps for a top-quality 4K stream. At those rates, a single broadcast can eat a meaningful chunk of a typical connection's upload capacity. If you’re live gaming or running a content backup in the background, that upload capacity gets used up fast.

With up to eight gigabits of upload with the Edge 8 Gig product, GFiber gives streamers and content creators room to run high-quality broadcasts without eating into bandwidth other functions need.

For remote workers, the new bar for AI-powered work

Remote work today goes beyond staying connected on a Zoom call. Now, it means AI agents and cloud tools that need to keep pace with your workday. 

A March 2026 survey of 200 AI-enabled workers found that 64% of organizations say their AI use cases require end-to-end response times under 250ms. For coding tasks, that threshold is ever lower: Google sets the bar at less than 100ms latency for end-to-end completion.

Your home connection is only one piece of how quickly AI responds. The AI model and application themselves also take time to process requests. But a congested connection can eat into an already tight latency budget and degrade AI’s responsiveness. GFiber's low latency network is built for real-time workloads, giving your AI tools a solid foundation to perform at speed.

Symmetrical upload speeds across GFiber's products keep that responsiveness steady even when the rest of the house is using the connection at the same time, whether it’s a kid gaming or a video call running in the next room. That’s what keeps critical work online when your network is handling a full house of activity.

Why GFiber works better for households that rely on speed

GFiber’s advantages stem from its 100% FTTH architecture, where light travels through fiber optic cables directly from our network to the Fiber Jack in your home. Unlike "hybrid fiber" or "fiber-powered" networks that use copper segments for part of their infrastructure, our pure fiber connection is optimized to provide extremely fast internet. We’re also proactively upgrading our network in GFiber cities to 25G PON technology, capable of 20 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) symmetrical speeds. 

Reliability starts before your connection is even live. During your free professional installation, a GFiber technician will evaluate your home's layout to route high-speed wired connectivity straight to the rooms that matter most, like home offices or streaming setups.

That focus on service holds up after the initial installation, too. GFiber won Best Customer Experience in CableTV.com's 2026 home internet customer satisfaction survey of over 8,000 respondents. 

For anyone whose work or income depends on their internet, that combination of proactive setup and dependable support means you can count on your connection to be there when you need it.

Ready to put your internet to work?

Take a speed test to see where you stand. Then compare products to find the right fit for your household.

—

© 2026 GFiber | 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043 | Privacy & Terms

[1] Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual internet speeds, Wi-Fi speeds, and Wi-Fi coverage are not guaranteed and can vary based on factors such as home or business size and layout, construction materials, hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.

[2] Latency comparison based on analysis by GFiber from Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data of GFiber multi-server median latency and combined median multi-server latency of all U.S. fixed broadband providers and speed tiers for Q3-Q4 2025. Individual speeds vary.

[3] A trademark of Ziff Davis, LLC. Used under license; Reprinted with permission. © 2026 Ziff Davis, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

[4] Plus local access fee where applicable, 100% of which go back into your community.