Category Archives: Apps Feed Blog

The feed from the Google Apps team

Available in open beta: Set up Single-Sign On with custom OpenID Connect profiles

What’s changing 

Beginning today, admins now have the option to set up a custom OpenID Connect (OIDC) profile for single sign-on (SSO) with Google as their Service Provider. OIDC is a popular method for verifying and authenticating the identities - this update gives admins more options for their end users to access cloud applications using a single set of credentials. Previously, only OIDC with pre-configured Microsoft Entra ID profile was supported in addition to SAML.

Custom OIDC profiles can be configured in the Admin console at >Security > Authentication > SSO with third party IdP



Getting started


Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available for all Google Workspace customers except Google Workspace Essentials Starter customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers.
  • Also available for Cloud Identity and Cloud Identity Premium customers

Resources


Available in open beta: migrate messages from Microsoft Teams to Google Chat

What’s changing

Beginning today, we’re expanding our data migration experience to include the ability for Google Workspace admins to migrate conversations  from channels in Microsoft Teams to spaces in Google Chat, making it easier for organizations to onboard and deploy Chat. 

This can be done within the Admin console in a few steps:

  • First, connect to your Microsoft account.
  • Then, upload a CSV of the teams from where you want to migrate the messages. You can specify the source to destination identity mapping by uploading a CSV of the email ID’s from source to target.
  • Next, you’ll enter the starting date for messages to be migrated from Teams. Then you can begin your data migration. 
  • Finally, you’ll complete the migration by making migrated spaces, messages and related conversation data available to Google Workspace users (see our Help Center article for specific details on supported data types).

Starting a chat migration in the admin console

When a migration starts, the UI displays a visual report that breaks down tasks with individual progress bars for tasks that are successfully completed, skipped, failed or have warnings.


The final step to complete the migration is to roll out spaces, making migrated spaces and their content available to users.





Additional details

  • The Chat migration tool doesn’t delete or modify existing Google Chat spaces or messages. 
  • You can also run a delta migration, which will migrate any messages added to Teams channels since the primary migration. Messages that are already successfully migrated are skipped.
  • Once a migration is complete, you can export a report that contains detailed information regarding content that skipped, failed or had warnings during the migration.
  • You can find more information in our Help Center about migrating other forms of data from different types of source accounts.


Getting started

Rollout pace

  • This feature is available now.

Availability

  • Available for all Google Workspace customers

Resources


Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – December 13, 2024

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.


Use the GitHub app in Google Chat to get notifications about GitHub events
We’re excited to announce that we’ve made updates to the Google Chat integration with GitHub, a cloud-based platform that enables users to store, share and collaborate with others to write code. With these updates users can expect: 
  • Streamlined notification cards with key details from Github, such as issues, pull requests and comments. 
  • Enhanced repository and pull request subscription options (open/merge/close, comments, CI pipeline and test results). 
  • Clearer overview of GitHub links with richer link previews. 
  • Options to configure multiple repositories within a single space. 
Admins can install the Github app on their users’ behalf. End users need a GitHub account to use this app, and can also search for the app in the + New Chat menu to get updates via a DM with the bot. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn how to set up the GitHub app in Chat. 
GitHub app in Google Chat
Mobile scans are now crisper and clearer with auto enhancements in the Google Drive scanner 
Late last year, we made updates to the Google Drive scanner on mobile devices, and recently announced the option to apply black & white filters to Drive scans and save scanned files as PDFs or JPEGs. This week, we’re excited to introduce an additional improvement to the scanner experience on Android devices. Now, with the help of auto enhancement, Drive’s document scanner will digitize paper documents into higher quality images much faster. Depending on the document, auto enhancement will perform actions like white balance correction, shadow removal, contrast enrichment, auto sharpening, light improvement, and more. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now, with expected completion by January 2, 2025; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for January 6, 2025. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about scanning files with your mobile device.The image on the right reflects auto enhancements to the Drive scanner
The image on the right reflects auto enhancements to the Drive scanner


HDMI presentation now supported on Google Meet hardware devices from Poly 
You can now present content via a wired HDMI connection when using Poly devices with Google Meet, specifically Poly Poly Studio X30, X50, X52, and X70 devices. This update provides another option for sharing high-quality video and audio content during your meetings. | Available to all Google Workspace customers. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about presenting using an HDMI cable.


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.


Create and manage rubrics using the Google Classroom API
Since 2019, teachers have been able to create or reuse a rubric for an assignment, however this capability did not previously exist in the Classroom API. To improve upon this experience, we’re excited to announce that developers can now manage assignment rubrics via the Classroom API. | Learn more about the Google Classroom API. 


Introducing Gemini Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI™) 
We’re pleased to introduce Gemini LTI™, an AI-powered assistant that can integrate into third party Learning Management Systems (LMS). | Learn more about Gemini Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI™). 


Build high-quality, modern documents faster in Google Docs with 40 new templates
We’ve introduced a collection of 40 new high-quality, visually modern designs in Google Docs. These pre-made pageless templates consist of several new features that make your documents visual and effective. | Learn more about templates in Docs.


Create fully stylized documents using Gemini in Google Docs 
This week, we launched help me create, a new feature that lets you build a full document using content in Drive from a single, custom prompt. | Learn more about help me create in Docs. 


Available in open beta: prevent sensitive changes by locking Groups
Admins can now label a Google Group as “Locked,” which will heavily restrict changes to group attributes (such as group name & email address) and memberships. | Learn more about the locking Groups beta. 


Adding folder support to Gemini in the side panel of Google Drive
You can now focus your Gemini conversations in Drive to a specific Drive folder using the side panel. | Learn more about Gemini folder support for Drive files.


Gemini for Workspace usage reports now include Gemini usage per app interactions 
We’re introducing additional usage metrics on the Gemini for Workspace reports in the Admin console. This report will now provide admins additional information about Gemini usage per app by users. | Learn more about Gemini usage reports. 


Now generally available: the Groups Editor & Groups Reader roles can now be provisioned for specific group types 
At the beginning of the year, we launched the ability to assign the Groups Editor and Groups Reader roles for security groups or non-security groups in open beta. This feature is now generally available and Groups Admins have access to all groups. | Learn more about group types. 


New Google Chat usage reports provide deeper insights into user engagement
We’re pleased to introduce new, information-rich usage reports to help Workspace administrators understand how their teams are using Google Chat. | Learn more about usage reports in Chat. 


Improvements to mentions in Google Chat 
When mentioning a user that is not already in the conversation, you will have the option to add them and send the message, or just send the message without adding them in Google Chat. | Learn more about mentions in Chat.


NotebookLM Plus now available to Google Workspace customers
NotebookLM Plus, our newest and most advanced version of NotebookLM, is now available to Gemini for Google Workspace customers. | Learn more about NotebookLM Plus.


Translate messages in-line from one language to another in Google Chat
As one of the most requested Gemini enhancements in Chat this year, translate for me will automatically detect and translate over 120 languages to a user’s preferred language. | Learn more about translate for me in 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).

Translate messages in-line from one language to another in Google Chat

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

In continuing our effort to ensure Google Chat is your home for collaboration in Workspace, especially for global teams, we’re excited to introduce translate for me in Google Chat. 

As one of the most requested Gemini enhancements in Chat this year, translate for me will automatically detect and translate over 120 languages to a user’s preferred language. Rather than requiring users to navigate outside of Chat to translate a message, this update reduces friction and improves collaboration with colleagues, partners and customers in other parts of the world. 

translate for me in Google Chat


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • Automatic translation via translate for me will be OFF by default. Turn ON the automatic translation setting at chat.google.com (web) or on your Android or iOS device by going to Settings > Automatic Translation > select the box for ‘Translate messages to your preferred language.’ 
      • This feature translates messages received into your preferred language (based on your Google account settings). Please allow up to 24 hours for this feature to update languages when languages are changed in your Google account settings. 
      • These translated messages are viewable only to you. 
    • Automatic translation only applies to message content inside the conversation stream and does not show up on message snippets in Home or notifications. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Automatic Translation in Chat.

Rollout pace 

  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 13, 2024, with expected completion by January 7, 2025 
  • Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on January 15, 2025 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons: 
  • Gemini Business and Enterprise 
  • AI Meetings and Messaging 

Resources 

NotebookLM Plus now available to Google Workspace customers

What’s changing

Today, we’re announcing that NotebookLM Plus, our newest and most advanced version of NotebookLM, is available to Gemini for Google Workspace customers. In addition to what's already included with NotebookLM, which we introduced in September, this enhanced version allows users to: 
  • Get 5x more Audio Overviews, queries, notebooks, and sources per notebook 
  • Customize the style and length of their notebooks 
  • Create shared notebooks for their team and get usage analytics 
  • Use with confidence knowing their sources, queries and responses stay within their organization 
example of a strategic account planner and customer insights in NLM Plus


Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users (18+) with a Gemini for Google Workspace add-on or Gemini Education add-on. 
  • NotebookLM Plus is 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. 
  • See the ‘Getting started’ section below to learn more about adding Gemini to your Google Workspace plan. 

Why you’d use it 

NotebookLM Plus supercharges productivity and collaboration through AI that’s grounded in the information you provide. For example: 
  • Sales teams can add their product roadmap and feature specs, competitor benchmarking analysis, customer audio interviews, and market research to NotebookLM Plus. 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 Plus 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. 
  • Educational customers can add their district’s strategy plan, education standards, lecture notes and/or course readings to get real-time summaries, guided lesson plans, discussion questions, quizzes and more. They can also generate audio overviews to take learning on the go and make content more accessible, digestible and engaging.

Additional details 

NotebookLM Plus is an Additional Service and is covered under the NotebookLM Plus for Workspace Additional Terms of Service.

As a Gemini for Workspace user of NotebookLM Plus, your uploads, queries and the model's responses are not used to train models and are not reviewed by humans. 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. Notebooks can only be shared within your organization. 


Getting started 

Rollout pace

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons: 
  • Gemini Business 
  • Gemini Enterprise 
  • Gemini Education 
  • Gemini Education Premium 

Resources 

Improvements to mentions in Google Chat

What’s changing 

We know there are scenarios in which you may want to reference a person with an @mention without adding them to a conversation in Google Chat. Starting today, when mentioning a user that is not already in the conversation, you will have the option to add them and send the message, or just send the message without adding them. 
option to add them and send the message in chat, or just send the message without adding them.
We’re also adding visual improvements by rendering @mentions as smart chips, which brings them more in line with Drive chips in Chat and smart chips across Workspace. With simplified colors, your personal mentions still stand out the most and will be easily spotted in conversations, Home and Mentions.

color of @mentions in Chat

On web, hovering on the chip will show more information about the person and clicking the chip will start a new 1:1 direct message with them. 
clicking on a people chip in chat

Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why you’d use it 

This feature reduces friction for users by making it easier to provide context when composing messages. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • On web, go to chat.google.com or Chat in Gmail and type “@[a person’s name or email address]” to mention them. This functionality is supported across 1:1 direct messages, group direct messages, and spaces. 
    • Note that you can only add members to a conversation in group direct messages and spaces. In 1:1 direct messages, when you mention someone they are treated as a reference and not added directly. 
    • This functionality will rollout on Android and iOS devices in Q1 2025. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more mentioning someone or adding someone to a message.

Rollout pace 


Availability 

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

Resources 

New Google Chat usage reports provide deeper insights into user engagement

What’s changing

From the introduction of spaces, huddles, voice messages, and more, Google Chat has added major new features and transformed significantly over the past several years. As a result, usage reports for Google Chat are evolving as well. Beginning today, we’re pleased to introduce new, information-rich usage reports to help Workspace administrators understand how their teams are using Google Chat. 


The charts being added are: 
  • User activity: the number of users based on two types (engaged and communicating) in the last 1 day and 28 days over a period of the last 180 days. 
    • “Engaged” users: these users read conversations. These users may, but are not required to, send messages and react to messages.
    • “Communicating” users: these users send or react to messages. The number of communicating users is a subset of engaged users. 
  • Messages sent: the number of messages sent by users of your organization in 1 day, 7 day, and 28 day period over a period of the last 180 days. 
  • Messages sent by conversation type: the number of messages sent in 1 day in direct messages, group and space conversations over a period of the last 180 days. 
  • Messages sent by type: the number of messages sent in 1 day broken out by message type: regular message, voice or video, huddle over a period of the last 180 days. 
  • Messages sent with attachment: the number of messages sent with or without attachments in 1 day over a period of the last 180 days.
  • Messages sent to conversations with external participants: the number of messages sent to conversation that include or may include users external to your organization over a period of the last 180 days.
  • Created spaces*: the number of spaces created by users of your organization in 1 day over a period of the last 180 days 
  • Active spaces*: the number of spaces owned by your organization in 1 day over a period of the last 180 days.

Updated Apps Reports for Google Chat




Admins can view user level data for Google Chat, as you can with Gmail, Drive, and other apps today. Admins can also view how many conversations were read, how many messages were sent, how many attachments* were uploaded, and more. They can also sort this information by specific organizational units or groups to assess adoption or usage within specific parts of organization

User level reporting for Google Chat



*Active Spaces and Created Spaces charts may show different numbers from those in Active Rooms and Active Rooms legacy charts. Active Spaces and Created Spaces charts only count conversations of ‘space’ type; Active Rooms and Created Rooms count conversations of space group conversation types.
*Attachments can be viewed in the security investigation tool.

Who’s impacted

Admins

Why it’s important

The updated reporting aligns trackable metrics with the current Chat experience and provides essential data for analyzing and driving adoption, configuring safety features, and more. 

For instance, admins can gain a deeper understanding of how their users are engaging with chat, differentiating between those who actively participate (send, react) and those who are primarily only reading messages. Organizational leaders  can use these insights to assess the need for further product training to boost adoption. Additionally, monitoring the volume of messages sent to external users can signal to admins that safety measures should be implemented, like establishing data loss prevention (DLP) rules to safeguard sensitive information.

Additionally, Chat is now represented in app usage reports, alongside other products like Google Drive and Gmail. While each set of apps has their own unique set of metrics, admins now have another data set to draw on when analyzing how their users are interacting with Google Workspace apps

Additional details

With the implementation of these new, information rich charts, we’re planning to remove the following charts on July 1, 2025:
  • Active Rooms
  • Created Rooms
  • Active Users
  • Messages Posted

Also note that:
  • Some metrics will take time to populate, such as the 7-day or 28-day views.
  • If you've used the 'Manage Reports' or 'Manage Columns' features to customize the App Reports or User Reports pages, you'll need to adjust your settings to see the new Google Chat charts and columns. These customization features, which allow you to hide, unhide, and rearrange the order of chats or columns, will prevent the new Google Chat data from automatically appearing in your reports. 

Getting started

  • Admins: 
  • End users: There is no end user impact or action required.

Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers

Resources

Now generally available: the Groups Editor & Groups Reader roles can now be provisioned for specific group types

What’s changing

At the beginning of the year, we launched the ability to assign the Groups Editor and Groups Reader roles for security groups or non-security groups in open beta. Beginning today, this feature is now generally available. Groups Admins have access to all groups. The new roles of Groups Editor and Groups Reader offer delegated admin permissions for groups, and can use conditions to limit access to sensitive groups as needed.

Getting started: 

Gemini for Workspace usage reports now include Gemini usage per app interactions

What’s changing

Starting today, we’re introducing additional usage metrics on the Gemini for Workspace reports in the Admin console. This report will now provide admins additional information about Gemini usage per app by users, specifically:

  • The number of times Gemini content summarization and content generation features were used in Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets by users.
  • The number of messages exchanged when chatting with the Gemini App and Gemini in the sidepanel of various apps by users.

Gemini usage reports in the Admin console


Getting started

  • Admins: Admins can access these reports via the admin  console under Menu > Generative AI > Gemini reports. Visit the Help Center to learn more about reviewing Gemini usage in your organization.
  • End users: There is no end user impact or action required.

Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available for Google Workspace customers with the Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education and Gemini Education Premium add-ons.

Resources