Category Archives: Apps Feed Blog

The feed from the Google Apps team

Create and vote on polls directly in Google Chat

What’s changing

In order to provide users with an easy way to gather feedback directly in their Google Chat conversations, we’re introducing a new Poll app. 

Through a simple creation process, teams and groups can share questions for feedback. This feature can be useful in scenarios in which you need to poll colleagues about an upcoming event, meeting time or team outing. The Poll app provides the ability to see results instantly, along with options to make polls multi-choice or anonymous. Using the Poll app, teams can arrive at faster, more inclusive decisions while keeping the conversation flowing. 

creating a poll
Creating a poll

seeing the results of a poll
Seeing the results of a poll


Additional details 

Some poll questions that ask where to eat, grab coffee, meet may have special icons. 
Some poll questions that ask where to eat, grab coffee, meet may have special icons.


Getting started 


Rollout pace

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers that have enabled Chat apps in their domain, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts 

Resources 

Google Meet Learning Tools Interoperability™ update: control when meeting recordings are shared with a new toggle

What’s changing 

Instructors using Meet LTI™ to create and host meetings can control how meeting recordings are shared. Previously, everyone in the meeting could access the recording after the meeting. Now, instructors can control when recordings are shared with students.

From Meet LTI, select the “Meet artifacts” tab to toggle the “Share recordings with students” settings




We plan to introduce similar controls for other meeting artifacts, like Meeting transcripts, in the future. We’ll share more here on the Workspace Updates blog when more controls become available. 


Getting started


Rollout pace



Availability

  • Available for Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus, and the Teaching & Learning add-on

Resources


Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – February 7, 2025

3 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.




Insert responses from Gemini directly into email drafts in the Gmail app
Last year, we introduced the ability for users to ask Gemini questions about their inbox or do things like find specific details in their emails, show unread messages, and more through Gmail Q&A on iOS and Android devices. To build upon this, users can now quickly insert responses or content received after asking Gemini a question directly into an email draft. To do so, open Gemini in the Gmail app (via the Gemini spark at the top right or from a “summarize this email” chip) > ask Gemini a question about the email or your inbox > insert the response by tapping the insert arrow on Android or “Insert” button on iOS. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to Google Workspace Business and Enterprise users with access to Gemini in Gmail. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about Gemini in Gmail.

Insert responses from Gemini directly into email drafts in the Gmail app

Improving Google Chat app commands 
Currently, you can use slash commands in Google Chat messages to communicate quickly with apps. To simplify this process, we’re excited to introduce quick commands, a way for users to invoke an app command directly without typing a slash command. Developers should use this resource to learn how to set up and respond to quick commands for their Google Chat app. When users invoke a quick command, your Chat app receives an APP_COMMAND interaction event, instead of the MESSAGE interaction event that is sent for slash commands. To modify an existing slash command into a quick command, please follow these steps. After a developer configures quick commands through the Chat API configuration page, users can access them by clicking the plus button menu next to the Chat compose box and then selecting their desired quick command. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains at an extended pace (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility), with expected completion by March 3, 2025. | The ability to configure app commands is available to all Google Workspace customers. | The ability to use app commands is available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit this developer documentation to learn more about quick commands for Chat apps.


adding quick commands to google chat apps

The ability to generate images with people powered by Imagen 3 is now available across Workspace
We recently upgraded our AI image generation in Workspace to the latest version of Imagen 3, delivering richer details and textures to help bring your creative vision to life. Today, we’re excited to announce that you can now use this technology as you generate images of people in:


Rollout for generating images with people is complete for Gemini Advanced. | Rollout for generating images with people using Gemini in the side panel of Docs, Sheets, Drive, Slides, Gmail, and Vids is complete (in English only). | Rollout for generating images with people for the Gemini app is expected to complete by March 1, 2025. | Available to all Google Workspace users accessing the Gemini app or Gemini Advanced. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about accessing the Gemini app with your Workspace account.



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.


Now generally available: improved syncing experience between Google Calendar and third-party calendars 
In June of 2024, we introduced an improved email notification experience between Google Calendar and third-party calendar services, like Outlook, via beta. Beginning this week, this update is now generally available. | Learn more about improved syncing between Google Calendar and third-party calendars. 

Additional improvements to everyday actions in Google Sheets 
This week, we announced additional improvements available for everyday actions in Sheets: 1) pasting data is now up to 50% faster when you’re pasting from one spreadsheet to another, 2) filter conditions can now be set up to 50% faster than before, and 3) spreadsheets now load existing data up to 30% faster. | Learn more about Sheets improvements. 

Google Meet adds more screen reader options for in-meeting reactions
To improve access for users with vision disabilities, we are adding several more options for how reactions in Google Meet are experienced through screen readers. You can access and adjust the settings at any time during the meeting by pressing Shift+R or from the Settings menu (Three-dot overflow button > Settings > Reactions > Accessibility). | Learn more about screen reader options. 

Developers can now add form field validation to Google Workspace add-ons and Google Chat app cards 
Workspace add-ons and Chat app developers can add client-side input validation to Chat apps and add-ons. | Learn more about adding form field validation to add-ons and app cards. 

Know who an event is shared with when using shared Google Calendars 
Users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with. | Learn more about using shared Google Calendars. 

Now generally available: Easily migrate files from Microsoft OneDrive to Google Drive 
In October 2024, we expanded our data migration services to include the ability for Admins to transfer OneDrive data to Google Drive. This functionality is now generally available. You can migrate the files of up to 100 users at a time, including the files corresponding access permissions with shared members. | Learn more about migrating files.

NotebookLM and NotebookLM Plus now available as a Google Workspace core service with enterprise-grade data protection
NotebookLM and NotebookLM Plus, previously introduced as additional services, are now included as core services for Workspace Business and Enterprise customers. Covered under your Google Workspace terms of service, these apps offer the same enterprise-grade data protections and level of technical support as other Workspace core services. | Learn more about NotebookLM and NotebookLM Plus.

Easily convert data to people chips and update chip format in Google Sheets
Similar to the functionality in Google Sheets that helps you easily convert data to dropdown chips, you can now use bulk chip conversion for people chips. | Learn more about chips in Sheets.

Google Vault now supports the Gemini app
Google Vault now supports the Gemini app (on web and mobile). Going forward, admins can use Vault for eDiscovery tasks to search Gemini app conversations and create an export of your search results. | Learn more about Vault supporting the Gemini app.


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 Vault now supports the Gemini app

    What’s changing 

    Google Vault now supports the Gemini app (on web and mobile). Going forward, admins can use Vault for eDiscovery tasks to search Gemini app conversations and create an export of your search results. Specifically, the following actions can be taken around Gemini app data: 

    • Search prompts and responses with a number of filters, such as user and date to quickly refine your search. These searches can be across groups of users or by Organizational Units (OUs) up to 5000 in size. 
    • Export conversations in an XML format for the above searches via the UI or API.


    Who’s impacted

    Admins

    Why it’s important

    Vault is an eDiscovery and information governance tool for Google Workspace, which enables customers to retain, hold, search, and export users’ Google Workspace data. With this update, customers can now expand their regulatory and legal eDiscovery needs to include the Gemini app. This integration makes it easier for customers to comply with their eDiscovery obligations surrounding Gemini collaborative data, all from a central tool. 

    Additionally, Vault’s integration with Gemini rounds out support for critical Workspace apps such as Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Chat, Calendar and Meet, providing customers with a consistent experience across all products that are managed within Vault for eDiscovery. Additional information governance and hold features, such as preview, retention, and litigation holds will follow in future releases. We’ll share more information on the Workspace updates blog when it’s available.

    Additional details

    This update is not applicable for Gemini for Google Workspace, as no prompts or responses are retained for those interactions. Visit our Privacy Hub for more information on how we’re protecting your Google Workspace data in the era of generative AI.

    Getting started


    Rollout pace


    Availability

    Available to Google Workspace
    • Business Plus
    • Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus
    • Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus
    • Education Standard and Education Plus customers
    • Also available to customers with the Vault add-on license

    Resources

    Easily convert data to people chips and update chip format in Google Sheets

    What’s changing

    Similar to the functionality in Google Sheets that helps you easily convert data to dropdown chips, you can now use bulk chip conversion for people chips. If you have a column of data that includes a variety of emails, Sheets will show a “Convert to people chips” suggestion when you click into your data range. By hovering over that indicator, you can preview the suggestion and then convert your data to people chips in one click. 

    Convert to people chips” suggestion


    In addition to the default format of display name, within the Format menu, you will now be able to update the format of your people chips to one of the following: 
    • Last name, First name 
    • Email address 
    update the format of your people chips


    Getting started 

    • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
    • End users: 
      • To insert people chips on your own, type “@” followed by a name or email address. To change the format of the people chips, select a cell or cells with people chips, go to Format > Smart chips > select the desired format. 
      • To turn off this feature, go to Tools > Suggestion controls > (deselect) Enable dropdown chip suggestions. 
      •  Visit the Help Center to learn more about inserting smart chips in your Google Sheets. 

    Rollout pace 

    People Chip Formats: 

    People Chip Suggestions: 

    Availability 

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

    Resources 

    NotebookLM and NotebookLM Plus now available as a Google Workspace core service with enterprise-grade data protection

    What’s changing

    NotebookLM is a powerful AI-powered research assistant that helps users accelerate learning and knowledge sharing. Grounded in data that users in your organization provide, NotebookLM becomes an instant expert in those sources so users can get insights, share knowledge and learn on-to-go with Audio Overviews. 


    NotebookLM and NotebookLM Plus, previously introduced as additional services, are now included as core services for Workspace Business and Enterprise customers. Covered under your Google Workspace terms of service, these apps offer the same enterprise-grade data protections and level of technical support as other Workspace core services. 


    NotebookLM helps users: 
    • Understand a complex topic faster and more in depth. After uploading files, recordings or even research papers, users can ask NotebookLM to explain multifaceted concepts in simple terms, provide real-world examples, and reinforce their understanding. 
    • Create a polished presentation outline, complete with key talking points and supporting evidence. 
    • Identify trends, generate new product ideas, and uncover hidden opportunities. 
    • Get insights and answers from a shared, centralized knowledge hub to maintain consistency and keep teams aligned and informed. 
    NotebookLM Plus includes the components mentioned above in addition to enhanced capabilities that enable users to: 
    • Get 5x more Audio Overviews, queries, notebooks, and sources per notebook. 
    • Customize the style and length of their notebooks’s responses.
    • Create shared notebooks for their team and get usage analytics. 
    In summary, users have access to a personalized AI research assistant that they can use with confidence knowing their sources, queries and responses stay within their organization. 


    Who’s impacted 

    Admins and end users (18+) 


    Why you’d use it 

    Today, businesses of all sizes use it to supercharge their productivity and collaboration. For example, sales teams can add their product roadmap and feature specs, competitor benchmarking analysis, customer audio interviews, and market research to NotebookLM. As a result, NotebookLM can help you prepare for customer meetings by creating an account plan to help your team find information faster and better engage with customers. Marketers can use NotebookLM to help summarize customer trends and purchase behaviors, draft communications, create campaign briefs, and more–all based on market research, customer segmentation analysis, and marketing roadmaps. 


    Additional details 

    NotebookLM and NotebookLM Plus are available in 180+ regions where Gemini API is available and currently supports 35+ languages. For Audio Overviews, while you can upload sources from all supported languages, the spoken audio is currently only available in English. 


    Your uploads, queries and the model's responses are not used to train models and are not reviewed by human reviewers or otherwise used for product improvement without permission. Your data remains your data and any files uploaded, queries and responses are not shared outside your organization’s trust boundary. 


    Users can only upload sources from Workspace that they have permission to access. Furthermore, they can control who has access to their notebooks and set more granular permissions within each. 


    Getting started 


    Rollout pace


    Availability 

    NotebookLM is available as a core service for Google Workspace: 
    • Business Starter 
    • Frontline Starter and Standard 
    • Essentials Starter, Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus
    • Nonprofits 
    NotebookLM Plus is available as a core service for Google Workspace: 
    • Business Standard and Plus 
    • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
    Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive NotebookLM Plus as a core service: 
    • Gemini Business* 
    • Gemini Enterprise* 
    *As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details. 

    Resources 

    Now generally available: Easily migrate files from Microsoft OneDrive to Google Drive

    What’s changing

    In October 2024, we expanded our data migration services to include the ability for Admins to transfer OneDrive data to Google Drive. This functionality is now generally available. You can migrate the files of up to 100 users at a time, including the files corresponding access permissions with shared members. 

    With the general availability release, we’ve also added additional settings which admins can use to: 
    • Specify files to migrate within a certain date range.
    • Exclude specific file formats and large files. 
    • Skip uploading an identity map and allow Google to automatically map source and target users instead. 

    Now that the tool is generally available, with more customization settings, you can quickly and easily migrate your data to Workspace at scale while minimizing disruption for end users. For more information, please refer to our original beta announcement.

    Example of a completed migration.


    Getting started


    Rollout pace


    Availability

    Available to Google Workspace 
    • Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
    • Enterprise Standard and Plus
    • Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus, and the Teaching and Learning add-on
    • Essentials Starter and Essentials
    • Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus
    • Nonprofits

    Resources


    Know who an event is shared with when using shared Google Calendars

    What’s changing 

    Users can have one of the following access permissions for shared Google Calendars: 
    • “See only free/busy (hide details)” 
    • “See all event details” 
    • “Make changes to events” 
    • “Make changes and manage sharing” 
    The “Make changes to events” permission enables users to create events on shared calendars, but when those events are created, the user does not know which other users the event is shared with. 

    To improve upon experience and ensure users are aware of who they are sharing content with, users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with. 

    users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with.

    Getting started 

    • Admins: As an admin, you can control how much calendar information people in your organization can share with users external to your organization. You can also set the default level of sharing for users within your organization. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting Calendar sharing options. 
    • End users: On Calendars with “make changes to events” access permission, you will now see the members of calendars. You can control the access permission of other users for your Calendars only on Calendars with “make changes and manage sharing” access permissions. Visit the Help Center to learn more about sharing your calendar with someone. 
    • Developers: For Calendars where a user has “make changes to events” (aka “writer”) permissions, the Acl.list and Acl.get method will newly return the members of the shared calendar and Acl.watch will notify about changes to members. 

    Rollout pace 


    Availability 

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

    Resources 

    Know who an event is shared with when using shared Google Calendars

    What’s changing 

    Users can have one of the following access permissions for shared Google Calendars: 
    • “See only free/busy (hide details)” 
    • “See all event details” 
    • “Make changes to events” 
    • “Make changes and manage sharing” 
    The “Make changes to events” permission enables users to create events on shared calendars, but when those events are created, the user does not know which other users the event is shared with. 

    To improve upon experience and ensure users are aware of who they are sharing content with, users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with. 

    users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with.

    Getting started 

    • Admins: As an admin, you can control how much calendar information people in your organization can share with users external to your organization. You can also set the default level of sharing for users within your organization. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting Calendar sharing options. 
    • End users: On Calendars with “make changes to events” access permission, you will now see the members of calendars. You can control the access permission of other users for your Calendars only on Calendars with “make changes and manage sharing” access permissions. Visit the Help Center to learn more about sharing your calendar with someone. 
    • Developers: For Calendars where a user has “make changes to events” (aka “writer”) permissions, the Acl.list and Acl.get method will newly return the members of the shared calendar and Acl.watch will notify about changes to members. 

    Rollout pace 


    Availability 

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

    Resources 

    Developers can now add form field validation to Google Workspace add-ons and Google Chat app cards

    What’s changing

    Starting today, Workspace add-ons and Chat app developers can add client-side input validation to Chat apps and add-ons. 

    Specifically, the card UI now supports required form field validation on the date-time picker, the multi select menu, the drop down menu and text input widgets via the Action API for add-ons and Chat apps. Additionally, text inputs now support input type and format validation with input length limits via the Validation API for add-ons and Chat apps. 

    As a result, developers can ensure data accuracy and improve their app's user experience by catching errors before information is submitted. 

    Example of the form validating if the user has populated all the required fields before submitting a form.

    Example of the form validating if the user has populated all the required fields before submitting a form.

    Example of the form validating the input type for text fields. The supported types are text, integers, decimals, email and emoji.

    Example of the form validating the input type for text fields. The supported types are text, integers, decimals, email and emoji.
    Example of the form limiting the allowed text input length to a specified length.

    Example of the form limiting the allowed text input length to a specified length.


    Getting started 

    Rollout pace

    Availability

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers 

    Resources