Dev Channel Update for ChromeOS / ChromeOS Flex

The Dev channel is being updated to OS version 16209.17.0 (Browser version 135.0.7049.19) for most ChromeOS devices.

If you find new issues, please let us know one of the following ways

File a bug
Visit our ChromeOS communities

General: Chromebook Help Community
Beta Specific: ChromeOS Beta Help Community

Report an issue or send feedback on Chrome

Interested in switching channels? Find out how.

Alon Bajayo,

Google ChromeOS Release Team

Source: Google Chrome Releases

Use Gemini in the side panel of Google Slides in even more languages

What’s changing

Following up on our recent language availability announcement, we’re excited to announce that you can now use Gemini in the side panel of Google Slides, which includes the ability to generate images, in the following languages:

Arabic
Catalan
Chinese
Czech
Danish
Dutch
Finnish
Greek
Hebrew
Hungarian
Indonesian
Malay
Norwegian
Polish
Romanian
Russian
Swedish
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
Vietnamese

With Gemini in the side panel of your Workspace apps, you can get help summarizing, brainstorming, and generating content by utilizing insights gathered from your emails, documents, and more—all without switching applications or tabs. Check out our original announcements for Gemini in the side panel of Slides, Docs, Sheets, and Drive, and Gmail for even more information.

Additional details

Users may see the “Alpha” badge as we bring more features into Gemini in the side panel of Google Workspace.
Image generation of people is not supported in these additional languages at this time.

Getting started

Admins: The default setting for Gemini features in Workspace services is on. See how you can manage access to AI features in Workspace services.
End users:

Gemini in the side panel will work according to the language you set in your Google account (myaccount.google.com/language). If you’re accessing other Gemini for Google Workspace features that are supported in English only, you will need to set your Google Account language to English.
You can access the side panel by clicking on “Ask Gemini” (spark button) in the top right corner of Slides on the web. Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in the side panel of Slides.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 18, 2025
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 24, 2025

Availability

Available to Google Workspace:

Business Standard and Plus
Enterprise Standard and Plus
Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on
Customers with the Gemini Business or Gemini Enterprise add-on*

*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

Source: Google Workspace Updates

New ways to collaborate and get creative with Gemini

Check out the Gemini app’s latest features, like Canvas and Audio Overview.

Source: The Official Google Blog

Beta update: Data loss prevention rules based on classification labels are now applied instantly in Gmail on the web

What’s changing

In November 2024, we announced an open beta for data classification labels in Gmail. To further enhance the experience, we’re pleased to announce that auto-classification labeling with data loss prevention (DLP) rules and actions triggered by classification labels detected in the message will now be applied instantly when using Gmail on the web. Previously, users were informed of any implications after messages left the inbox. With this update, the feedback is instant, providing the opportunity to educate users on why their message is classified, blocked or quarantined, and how to remedy the issue to keep their email communications flowing.

With this new functionality, and with this feature still in an open beta period, we strongly encourage you to continue providing feedback so we can optimize the feature for general availability. You can also use the form to sign-up for feedback sessions with the Google user research team to provide more detailed feedback.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why it matters
Google Workspace's expansion of data classification labels to Gmail gives admins the ability to mitigate data exfiltration and gain a deeper understanding of shared data based on information type and sensitivity level to apply data protection policies appropriately. Some ways you can use Data Protection Rules with Classification Labels are:

Prevent messages based on a specific classification (e.g. Confidential, Internal, NTK) from being accidentally shared with unauthorized users.

You can create a rule with specific label(s) as a condition and choose an action to trigger when a message is sent:

Warn: users will see a notification that their message may contain sensitive information, helping to prevent accidental sharing. Note that this action does not block the message from being sent.
Block: users will be notified that their message will not be sent unless the label is changed or removed (if data organization policy allows).
You can also create a rule in a way that allows for sharing labeled messages only if confidential mode is enabled for the message.

Enforce classification on every message or specific messages

You can create a rule that warns users or blocks the message if a specific classification label is not found in the message. This can help educate users and drive adoption of your organization’s data classification policy among users.

Automatically apply classification labels messages if specific information types are found in the message

You can create a rule to automatically apply a specific classification label if certain criteria is met. For example, credit card information or medical information are contained within the email.
You can also configure the rule to allow users to modify the label to a more appropriate one based on the situation and data classification policy of your organization.

For more detailed information, please refer to our beta announcement as well as our Help Center.

Additional details

At this time, this update is only supported when using Gmail on the web. Stay tuned for further updates about instantaneous support in Gmail iOS and Android clients.

Getting started

Admins:

Gmail classification labels can be enabled at the domain, group level, or individual user level. You also have the option to enable existing classification labels used in Drive for use in Gmail. The Label Manager tool can be accessed by going to Security > Access and data control or admin.google.com/ac/dc/labels in the Admin console.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about getting started with classification labels, Gmail DLP & automatic classification labels, and preventing data leaks in email and attachments.
Please continue to share your feedback to help us optimize this feature for general availability.

End users:

Depending on the data loss prevention rules configured by your admin, you may see a dialog letting you know that your message cannot be shared and how to fix your message so it can safely be shared. Visit the Help Center to learn more about classification labels in Gmail.