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Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – April 17, 2026

Expanded NotebookLM capabilities for Education Plus and Teaching and Learning add-on customers

We’re increasing limits across NotebookLM features for customers with Google Workspace for Education Plus or a Teaching and Learning add-on license at no additional cost. Users will now see a Plus badge next to their profile picture, indicating access to higher usage thresholds. | Learn more about the expanded NotebookLM capabilities for Education Plus and Teaching and Learning add-on customers.

Prepare for the NEET UG with practice tests in Gemini

We recently launched full-length, no-cost practice tests in Gemini, starting with the SAT and JEE Main. Now, we’re expanding practice tests to support the NEET UG. | Learn more about how to prepare for the NEET UG with practice tests in Gemini.

Additional BYOD peripheral switchers certified for Google Meet in ChromeOS touch controller rooms

We have certified additional Lightware peripheral switchers, so that you and your team can bring your own devices (BYOD) to Google Meet on ChromeOS touch controller rooms. The new devices bring improvements for video processing, networking, connectivity and security. | Learn more about the additional BYOD peripheral switchers certified for Google Meet in ChromeOS touch controller rooms.

Gemini in Google Classroom is now available in all Classroom-supported languages

We’re beginning to expand availability to all Classroom-supported languages in which Gemini is also available. This expansion makes Gemini tools in Classroom increasingly accessible to educators and higher education students whose preferred language is now supported. | Learn more about Gemini in Google Classroom is now available in all Classroom-supported languages.

New more expressive AI voiceovers in Google Vids, and 16 additional languages, powered by Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS

With the release of our new Gemini 3.1 Flash Text-To-Speech (TTS) model, AI voiceovers in Google Vids now include 30 new conversational voice options that better capture natural expression and realism. All 30 AI voiceover options are now supported in 24 different languages. | Learn more about the new more expressive AI voiceovers in Google Vids, and 16 additional languages, powered by Gemini 3.1 Flash TTS.

Now available: The Gemini app for Mac

We’re bringing the Gemini app to macOS as a native desktop experience, designed to live right where you work. It’s always just a keyboard shortcut away, allowing you to quickly get the help you need without losing your focus. | Learn more about The Gemini app for Mac now available.

Now in beta: Download client-side encrypted Google Slides

We are pleased to share that export capabilities are now available for client-side encrypted (CSE) Slides files. | Learn more about how to download client-side encrypted Google Slides now in beta.

Improved video quality on high-resolution displays in Google Meet

We’re updating Meet to provide higher quality video for users with high-resolution displays on the web and in rooms. This change will provide sharper and more detailed video, particularly for meetings with three or more participants. | Learn more about the improved video quality on high-resolution displays in Google Meet.

Streamlining admin controls for Gemini Enterprise in the Google Workspace Admin console

Managing generative AI tools that can access your Google Workspace data will be easier than before with dedicated controls to manage Gemini Enterprise access in the Workspace Admin console. These settings will live in a new subsection in the left side menu bar under “Generative AI”. | Learn more about the streamlined admin controls for Gemini Enterprise in the Google Workspace Admin console.

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

Experimental hybrid inference and new Gemini models for Android

Posted by Thomas Ezan, Senior Developer Relations Engineer



If you are an Android developer looking to implement innovative AI features into your app, we recently launched powerful new updates: Hybrid inference, a new API for Firebase AI Logic to leverage both on-device and Cloud inference, and support for new Gemini models including the latest Nano Banana models for image generation.

Let’s jump in!

Experiment with hybrid inference

With the new Firebase API for hybrid inference, we implemented a simple rule-based routing approach as an initial solution to let you use both on-device and cloud inference via a unified API. We are planning on providing more sophisticated routing capabilities in the future.

It allows your app to dynamically switch between Gemini Nano running locally on the device and cloud-hosted Gemini models. The on-device execution uses ML Kit's Prompt API. The cloud inference supports all the Gemini models from Firebase AI Logic in both Vertex AI and the Developer API.

To use it, add the firebase-ai-ondevice dependencies to your app along with Firebase AI Logic:

dependencies {
 [...] 
 implementation("com.google.firebase:firebase-ai:17.11.0")
 implementation("com.google.firebase:firebase-ai-ondevice:16.0.0-beta01")
}

During initialization, you create a GenerativeModel instance and configure it with specific inference modes, such as PREFER_ON_DEVICE (falls back to cloud if Gemini Nano is not available on the device) or PREFER_IN_CLOUD (falls back to on-device inference if offline):

val model = Firebase.ai(backend = GenerativeBackend.googleAI())
    .generativeModel(
        modelName = "gemini-3.1-flash-lite",
        onDeviceConfig = OnDeviceConfig(
           mode = InferenceMode.PREFER_ON_DEVICE
        )
    )

val response = model.generateContent(prompt)

The Firebase API for hybrid inference for Android is still experimental, and we encourage you to try it in your app, especially if you are already using Firebase AI Logic. Currently, on-device models are specialized for single-turn text generation based on text or single Bitmap image inputs. Review the limitations for more details.

We just published a new sample in the AI Sample Catalog leveraging the Firebase API for hybrid; it demonstrates how the Firebase API for hybrid inference can be used to generate a review based on a few selected topics and then translating it into various languages. Check out the code to see it in action!



The new hybrid inference sample in action

Try our new models

As part of the new Gemini models, we've released two models particularly helpful to Android developers and easy to integrate in your application via the Firebase AI Logic SDK.

Nano Banana

Last year we released Nano Banana, a state-of-the-art image generation model. And a few weeks ago, we released a couple of new Nano Banana models.

Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro Image) is designed for professional asset production and can render high-fidelity text, even in a specific font or simulating different types of handwriting.

Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) is the high-efficiency counterpart to Nano Banana Pro. It's optimized for speed and high-volume use cases. It can be used for a broad range of use cases (infographics, virtual stickers, contextual illustrations, etc.).

The new Nano Banana models leverage real-world knowledge and deep reasoning capabilities to generate precise and detailed images.

We updated our Magic Selfie sample (use image generation to change the background of your selfie!) to use Nano Banana 2. The background segmentation is now handled directly with the image generation model which makes the implementation easier and lets Nano Banana 2 improved image generation capabilities shine. See it in action here.

The updated Magic Selfie sample uses Nano Banana 2 to update a selfie background

You can use it via Firebase AI Logic SDK. Read more about it in the Android documentation.

Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite

We also released Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite, a new version of the Gemini Flash-Lite family. The Gemini Flash-Lite models have been particularly favored by Android developers for its good quality/latency ratio and low inference cost. It’s been used by Android developers for various use-cases such as in-app messaging translation or generating a recipe from a picture of a dish.

Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite, currently in preview, will enable more advanced use cases with latency comparable to Gemini 2.5 Flash-Lite. To learn more about this model, review the Firebase documentation.

Conclusion

It’s a great time to explore the new Hybrid sample in our catalog to see these capabilities in action and understand the benefits of routing between on-device and cloud inference. We also encourage you to check out our documentation to test the new Gemini models.

Streamlining admin controls for Gemini Enterprise in the Google Workspace Admin console

Managing generative AI tools that can access your Google Workspace data will be easier than before with dedicated controls to manage Gemini Enterprise access in the Workspace Admin console. These settings will live in a new subsection in the left side menu bar under “Generative AI.” As part of this change, the existing "Gemini Business and Enterprise settings" card within the Google Cloud Platform app will be redirected to the new Gemini Enterprise section. Existing configurations will be inherited by the new standalone settings.

This update brings several improvements for administrators:

  • Centralized management: You can now find Gemini Enterprise settings—including service on/off toggles and data sharing configurations—directly within the Generative AI section of the Workspace Admin console.
  • Granular control: While we’ve unified the service on/off switch for all Gemini Enterprise editions, we’ve maintained independent controls over access to Workspace data based on your license. This will allow us to support edition-specific specialized features, like sharing rules, in the future.
This change provides admins with more options to set policy preferences and protect sensitive data within a familiar Workspace environment.

Getting started

  • Admins: You can find the new Gemini Enterprise page and associated controls in the Generative AI section of the Workspace Admin console. Visit the Help Center to learn more about controlling Gemini Enterprise access to Workspace data.
  • End users: There is no end-user setting for this feature. Users with an active license will be able to access the Gemini Enterprise site if the service is turned ON by their administrator.

Rollout pace

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers with Gemini Enterprise licenses

Resources

Improved video quality on high-resolution displays in Google Meet

We’re updating Meet to provide higher quality video for users with high-resolution displays on the web and in rooms. This change will provide sharper and more detailed video, particularly for meetings with three or more participants.

Video before and after this change on a high resolution display
To serve users with high-resolution displays, additional bandwidth will be used, and Meet will automatically adjust the resolution if the device is bandwidth constrained.

In the coming months, we’ll also update the Admin console settings to control the default video quality and bandwidth used in your organization. Stay tuned to the Workspace Updates blog for more information when these settings launch.

Getting started

  • Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about Meet bandwidth requirements.
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature.

Rollout pace

Availability

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

Resources

Chrome Dev for Desktop Update

The Dev channel has been updated to 149.0.7795.2 for Windows, Mac and Linux.

A partial list of changes is available in the Git log. Interested in switching release channels? Find out how. If you find a new issue, please let us know by filing a bug. The community help forum is also a great place to reach out for help or learn about common issues.

Chrome Release Team
Google Chrome

Beta Channel Update for ChromeOS / ChromeOS Flex

 The ChromeOS Beta channel is being updated to OS version 16610.38.0 (Browser version 147.0.7727.105) for most ChromeOS devices.

If you find new issues, please let us know one of the following ways:
  1. File a bug

  2. Visit our ChromeOS communities

    1. General: Chromebook Help Community

    2. Beta Specific: ChromeOS Beta Help Community

  3. Report an issue or send feedback on Chrome

  4. Interested in switching channels? Find out how.

Alon Bajayo

Google ChromeOS

Multi-factor authentication requirement for the Google Ads API

As part of improving security for Google Ads accounts, the Google Ads API will start requiring Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Google Ads API users. These important security updates will start rolling out from April 21, 2026, and will be enabled for all users over the next few weeks.

What is MFA?

MFA, also known as 2-step verification or 2SV, is an important security measure. In addition to your password, MFA requires another proof of identity, known as an authentication factor, to successfully sign in to an account. By requiring the second factor, you’re making it significantly harder for unauthorized users to breach your account, and a compromised password alone is not enough to gain access.

What is changing?

Once this change goes live, users following the user authentication workflow to generate new OAuth 2.0 refresh tokens for Google Ads API will always be challenged with a second factor for authentication in addition to a username and password.

If you don’t have 2-step verification enabled, you will be prompted to add a 2-step verification method.

What action do I need to take?

You may be affected by this change, depending on the authentication workflow that your application uses.

  • Service account workflow: Service account workflows are not affected by this change, so no action is required. We strongly recommend using service account workflow for applications that require automated or offline workflows.
  • User authentication workflow: If your app generates OAuth 2.0 refresh tokens for users, you will be affected as follows:
    • Existing OAuth refresh tokens are not affected by this change. They will continue to work as usual, and you won’t be prompted for reauthorization when obtaining OAuth access tokens.
    • New users will be challenged with a second factor for authentication in addition to a username and password.

What other platforms are affected by this change?

If you use Google Ads Editor, Google Ads Scripts, BigQuery Data Transfer Service or Data Studio to manage Google Ads, you will start getting challenged with a second factor for authentication in addition to a username and password. If you don’t have 2-step verification enabled, you will be prompted to add a 2-step verification method.

How can users check and enable MFA?

Users can check whether MFA is enabled for their account by opening the Security tab of their Google Account settings page. The 2-Step Verification setting is displayed in the How you sign in to Google section. If MFA isn’t enabled, follow the on-screen steps displayed in this section.

If you don't see the 2-Step Verification option for your account, your administrator might have disabled it. Contact your administrator for assistance.

Troubleshooting

Q: When I navigate to the Google Account settings page, I don’t see the 2-Step Verification option for my account.

A: If you don't see the 2-Step Verification option for your account, your administrator might have disabled it. Contact your administrator for assistance.

Q: I don’t have a 2-step verification option enabled for my account. When I attempt to sign in, I get an error that "Google couldn’t verify this account belongs to you." and I am prompted to Recover account instead of prompting me to add a 2-step verification.

A: In certain situations, Google needs additional verification before letting you add a second factor to your account. To fix the issue, navigate to the Security tab of your Google Account settings page. The 2-Step Verification setting is displayed in the How you sign in to Google section. If 2-Step Verification isn’t enabled, follow the on-screen steps displayed in this section. Wait for a few minutes and attempt signing into the Google Ads API application again.

For any questions or further discussion regarding this update, please connect with us on the "Google Advertising and Measurement Community" Discord server.

 - , Google Ads API Team

A year of open collaboration: Celebrating the anniversary of A2A

by Patricia Cruz, Google Open Source

The A2A logo wearing a birthday hat

One year ago, on April 9th, 2025 Google announced the Agent2Agent(A2A) protocol. We saw the need for a "common language" that allows AI agents built on different frameworks to collaborate well across diverse systems. Then, on June 23, 2025 at the Open Source Summit North America in Denver, Mike Smith stood on stage to share a pivotal moment for the future of AI interoperability when Google officially donated the A2A protocol to the Linux Foundation, establishing it as a vendor-neutral, community-governed standard.

This move was driven by a core belief: for AI agents to truly transform how we work and live, they must be able to communicate across framework boundaries and organizational silos without being locked into a single provider's ecosystem. By placing A2A under the neutral stewardship of the Linux Foundation, we opened the doors for the entire industry to build, contribute, and innovate together.

A Foundation of Partners

The formation of the A2A Project was made possible through the support of our founding members, including Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Microsoft, Salesforce, SAP, and ServiceNow. Over the past twelve months, this coalition has grown, with over 100 technology companies now supporting the project.

From Prototype to Production

The momentum since the donation has been remarkable. What began as a Google-led initiative has evolved into critical infrastructure for horizontal, peer-to-peer collaboration. Just one month ago, in March, the project reached a major milestone with the release of A2A Protocol v1.0, the first stable, fully production-ready version of the standard.

Key achievements from the community this year include:

  • Enhanced Security: The implementation of Signed Agent Cards for cryptographic identity verification, ensuring trust in multi-agent workflows.
  • Web-Aligned Architecture: Refined specifications that support familiar load-balancing and security patterns for enterprise-scale deployments.
  • Ecosystem Interoperability: Demonstrating how diverse agents built with ADK, LangGraph, AG2 and CrewAI can delegate tasks and coordinate complex workflows seamlessly.
  • Experts teaching experts: We have learned from our open collaboration and have shared our knowledge.

Looking Ahead

This flourishing ecosystem of agent protocols helps standardize how agents communicate, interact with the world, and solve real-world problems. The A2Family includes AP2 (Agent Payment Protocol), A2UI (Agent to User Interface), and UCP (Universal Commerce Protocol), which are examples of new protocols created using A2A's open extensibility model for agent communication.

As we celebrate this first anniversary, we are more committed than ever to the "A2Family." The A2A protocol is designed to be complementary to existing standards like the Model Context Protocol (MCP); while MCP manages internal tool integration, A2A handles the vital external coordination between autonomous entities.

We want to thank the vibrant ecosystem of developers, contributors, and partners who have helped harden this protocol into a world-class standard over the last year.

Join the A2April Celebration!

We're celebrating the first anniversary of A2A all month long with "A2April". You can join the fun by sharing a photo of yourself in the community using the hashtag #A2April. To help you get festive, we've put together a commemorative party hat template with full assembly instructions.

Here's to many more years of innovation and open collaboration!

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the following contributors: Mike Smith, Alan Blount, Kassandra Dhillon, Daryl Ducharme, and April Kyle Nassi