Tag Archives: Google Calendar

Reference your Google Calendar using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail

What’s changing 

Since its introduction earlier this year, Gemini in the side panel of Gmail has helped many users generate, find and respond to information in their inbox. In addition, Gemini in Gmail has the ability to connect with other Workspace apps like Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drive, helping users complete tasks without ever leaving Gmail. 


Today, we’re excited to add Google Calendar to the list of apps that Gemini in Gmail connects with. Users can now ask Gemini in Gmail to perform calendar related actions or answer questions about their calendars such as: 
  • When is my [first event] next week? 
  • Create a [30 min] calendar event for my weekly [yoga class] every [Monday and Wednesday] at [9 AM]. 
  • Create a [1h] event for [lunch] [tomorrow] at [noon]. 
Using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail to ask Calendar to set up a personal yoga event


Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why you’d use it 

Via Gmail, Gemini can now help you: 
  • Create calendar events. 
  • Learn additional details about the existing events in your Calendar. 

Additional details

At this time, Gemini in Gmail cannot: 
  • Add or remove guests from events or create events by extracting information from an email. 
  • Pull up attachments or RSVPs related to a meeting. 
  • Find the best time to meet with other people or find time slots when you’re available to meet. 
  • Create tasks, an out of office, focus times or set working locations. 
  • Add or manage meeting rooms. 
When these features do become available, we will provide an update via the Workspace Updates Blog. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: To access Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps, users need to have smart features and personalization turned on. Admins can turn on default personalization setting for their users in the Admin console. 
  • End users:
    • On web, you can access Gemini in the Gmail side panel by clicking on “Ask Gemini” icon in the top right corner of Gmail. 
    • This feature is only available in English at this time. 
    • While not required, just like gemini.google.com, you can invoke Calendar by adding "@Calendar" at the beginning of your prompt in the side panel of Gmail to explicitly call on Calendar. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Gmail. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Introducing a new look and feel for Google Calendar on the web

What’s changing

Starting today, you’ll notice a refreshed user interface in Google Calendar that is in line with Google Material Design 3 and includes: 
  • Controls (like buttons, dialogs, and sidebars) that are more modern and accessible
  • Interface typography that uses Google’s custom-designed and highly-legible typefaces 
  • Iconography that is legible and crisp, with a fresh feel 
We’re also introducing the ability to toggle between light mode, dark mode or device default theme options. This will provide you with a more comfortable, customizable viewing experience and can also reduce battery usage. 

Calendar on web in light mode
Calendar on web in light mode
Calendar on web in dark mode
Calendar on web in dark mode


Additional details

These updates are applicable across the entire calendar web experience, including the task list view. When using the tasks.google.com URL, you will be redirected to the refreshed user interface and have the ability to choose between light or dark mode. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • To turn on dark mode in Calendar, go to the settings icon in the top right corner > Appearance > select Light, Dark or Device default. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Dark theme in Calendar. 
    • Given this launch is a visual refresh to Google Calendar, it may impact the experience of installed Chrome extensions that are active when using Google Calendar. As a result, these extensions might not work as expected. We recommend contacting the developers of those extensions to report any potential issues. 

Rollout pace 

  • Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 23, 2024 
  • Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 2, 2024 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Expanding Google Workspace extensions available in open beta for the Gemini app

What’s changing

Earlier this year, we launched Google Workspace extensions for Gmail, Google Drive and Google Docs in open beta for the Gemini app. Beginning today, we’re pleased to announce that Google Calendar, Google Keep and Google Tasks are also available as Workspace extensions in the Gemini app.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why you’d use it

Extensions allow the Gemini app to interact with other Google apps and services, helping to provide more contextual and relevant responses to your prompts and take certain actions across apps. For example, you can use extensions to:

Calendar
  • Create an event in Google Calendar based on specific details or based on your conversation with the Gemini app
  • Find events for a specific day, date range, or based on event details
  • Edit or cancel events in Calendar

Tasks
  • Add reminders and tasks, including those based on your conversation with the Gemini app
  • View a list of your tasks and update your tasks

Keep
  • Create notes and lists, including those based on your conversation with the Gemini app
  • Add an item to your existing list
  • Find content from your notes and lists
  • Reference your notes and lists in your conversation with the Gemini app

Additional details

  • If your prompt includes multiple actions that require separate apps or services, but one or more of the required services are not enabled, neither of the actions will be completed. For example, if you prompt Gemini to create an event on your calendar and a reminder for that event but the Tasks extension is not enabled, the event will not be added to your calendar and you will not get a reminder.
  • As a reminder, during the open beta period, Context-Aware Access (CAA) for Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar, Keep and Tasks isn’t supported with Google Workspace extensions. Context-Aware Access gives you control over which apps a user can access based on their context, such as whether their device complies with your IT policy. Learn more about Context-Aware Access.
  • Google Workspace extensions is not available to Google Workspace users accessing Gemini as an additional Google service.
  • Note that Google Workspace personal content the Gemini app gets from extensions is not reviewed by anyone to improve AI models, not used to train AI models, and not shared with other users or institutions.

Getting started

  • Admins: 
    • Google Workspace extensions in Gemini are OFF by default and can be enabled at the OU or Group level.
      • If Google Workspace extensions are already enabled, then the Workspace extensions for Calendar, Keep and Tasks will show up automatically for your users.
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Google Workspace extensions on or off for your organization. 

  • End users: If enabled by your admin, connecting Google Workspace allows users to summarize, get quick answers, and find information from Calendar, Keep and Tasks in addition to Gmail, Docs, and Drive directly in Gemini. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google Workspace extensions.

Rollout pace


Availability

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


Resources


Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – September 27, 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 Gemini in Google Sheets to generate structured tables
We’re excited to announce that users can now generate structured tables with Gemini in the side panel of Google Sheets. Prior to this update, tables were output as plain text ranges without set column types or structure. Now, Gemini can help you simplify and accelerate spreadsheet building by bringing format and structure to unorganized ranges through table generation. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for October 17, 2024. | Available for Google Workspace customers with Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium add-ons and users with the Google One AI Premium subscription. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using tables in Google Sheets.
Use Gemini in Google Sheets to generate structured tables
Refreshed illustrations in the Google Calendar app on Android and iOS devices
We’re introducing more modern illustrations for Google Calendar events like coffee, lunch or doctors appointments on Android and iOS. You’ll also notice updated monthly illustrations for background images in the schedule view on your mobile device or tablet. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. 
Refreshed illustrations in the Google Calendar app on Android and iOS devices

New “Gemini Advanced” branding for Gemini for Google Workspace add-on users
The Gemini app (gemini.google.com) will now display a "Gemini Advanced" label for users with a Gemini Enterprise, Business, Education, Education Premium add-on. This will better indicate to users the advanced capabilities of the app included in these plans. We're also updating this branding across our Help Center to better indicate which features and settings are specific to these add-ons. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about Gemini for Google Workspace.
New “Gemini Advanced” branding for Gemini for Google Workspace add-on users

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.


Kickstart ideas, brainstorm activities, and differentiate content with the help of Gemini in Google Classroom 
This week, we officially introduced a new Gemini Education tab in Classroom that grants quick access to numerous AI tools. | Learn more about Gemini in Classroom. 

Introducing security advisor, a new set of tools and insights to help small businesses protect their organization against cyber attacks 
To help small businesses, we’re introducing security advisor, a set of new insights and tools designed to enhance security for small businesses – including threat defense, account security, and data protection capabilities. | Learn more about security advisor. 

Customize your Google Docs with polished cover images 
We’re making it easy for you to personalize and differentiate documents with full-bleed cover images that extend from one edge of your document to the other. | Learn more about cover images. 

Preview and test upcoming features on Google Meet hardware devices 
Using the new “Feature preview” setting, specific Google Meet hardware devices can be configured to test upcoming features prior to general availability. | Learn more about testing Meet hardware features. 

Gmail allows more senders to protect their brand using BIMI Common Mark Certificates 
We introduced two additional updates for BIMI that will continue to keep inboxes safe: Gmail now supports Common Mark Certificates (CMC) and BIMI verified check marks are now displayed on Android and iOS. | Learn more about BIMI Common Mark Certificates. 

Google Sheets tables are now integrated with conditional notifications 
There is a new integration between conditional notifications and tables in Sheets. | Learn more about tables and conditional notifications. 

Gemini in Gmail will now provide contextual Smart Replies 
We’re excited to announce a new Gemini in Gmail feature, contextual Smart Replies, that will offer more detailed responses to fully capture the intent of your message. | Learn more about contextual Smart Replies.

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). 

Create birthdays in Google Calendar

What’s changing 

Currently, Google Calendar automatically pulls in birthday information from Google Contacts. However, it is not currently possible to create birthday events directly in Calendar. 

To ensure a birthday is never missed, we’re introducing the ability to create and modify birthday events in Google Calendar on Android devices. 

For developers, newly created birthday events will be available in the Calendar API with the eventType “birthday.” Both Events.list and Events.watch will support the “birthday” event type filter and return “birthday” events by default. Only a subset of the event properties will be supported for birthday events. To learn more, see our developer guide about working with the birthday event type.

Create birthdays in Google Calendar

Who’s impacted

End users and developers 


Additional details 

Birthday events do not support all event properties. If you’re using the Calendar API, we recommend reviewing your code so you don’t apply any non-supported properties. 

Creating dedicated birthday events in Google Calendar will also become available on web and iOS devices in the future. 


Getting started 

Rollout pace 

Web: 
Mobile: 

Availability 

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

Resources 

New design and accessibility improvements for embedded Google Calendars

What’s changing

Users currently have the ability to add an interactive version of their Google Calendar to their website, and add buttons for their website visitors to save their calendar events.

Starting today, you’ll notice a refreshed look and feel for embedded calendars that is in line with Google Material Design 3 and now includes: 

  • Enhanced accessibility features, such as the ability to use an embedded calendar with a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts to navigate more easily. 
  • Improved spacing to make text easier to read. 
  • A responsive layout that adapts to different screen sizes seamlessly. 
Screenshot of update look and feel for embedded Google Calendars on web


Getting started 

Screenshot of update look and feel for embedded Google Calendars on mobile

Rollout pace

  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 17, 2024 
  • Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 7, 2024 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Manage all Calendar interop settings from the Admin console

What’s changing

Previously, the interoperability settings that allow Calendar users to see availability of colleagues using Outlook and vice-versa were split between two separate locations: in the Admin console and from https://calendar.google.com/Exchange/tools. Going forward, all interoperability settings will be housed in the Admin console at Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Calendar > Calendar Interop management. This will make it easier for admins to view and manage their interop setups.



Getting started


Rollout pace

Availability

  • Available for Google Workspace customers except Google Workspace Essentials and Workspace Individual Subscribers 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – August 9, 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.


Appointment slots booking pages are no longer available in Google Calendar 
Earlier this year, we announced that the appointment slots feature will be replaced by appointment schedules in Google Calendar. Starting this week, appointment slots booking pages will no longer be available and all new appointments will need to be booked through appointment schedules. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is scheduled to complete by the end of August 2024. |  Appointment schedules are available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits, Google Workspace Individual, Google One Premium users and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center for detailed information about appointment schedules. 

Dark mode now available in Google Classroom on mobile 
Similar to the recent announcement of dark mode in Google Drive, users will now be able to change the color theme of Google Classroom on their mobile device. This new setting aims to provide users with a more comfortable, customizable viewing experience and also reduces battery usage. | Available to Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus, the Teaching & Learning Upgrade customers. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Dark Mode in Classroom.
Dark mode in Classroom

New automation event for AppSheet databases is now generally available 
We’re excited to announce the general availability of AppSheet database automation events, allowing users to kick off automation workflows based on changes made directly in their AppSheet database. | Available to AppSheet Free, AppSheet Core and AppSheet Enterprise Plus. Google Workspace editions that include AppSheet Core can be viewed here. |  Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Visit the AppSheet community to learn more about this feature and check out the Help Center to get instructions for building your first automation using an AppSheet database.

New automation event for AppSheet databases

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.


Available in open beta: configure third-party apps by select API scopes 
We’re giving admins another layer of granular control for third-party apps. Specifically, you can now configure apps to be limited by selected OAuth 2.0 Scopes for Google APIs, such as Drive or Gmail scopes. | Learn more about the beta to configure third-party apps by select API scopes. 

Providing student engagement signals for Google Drive file attachments in Google Classroom 
We’re introducing a new feature that surfaces richer student engagement data on assignments with Google Drive attachments in Google Classroom. With this update, teachers will have easily accessible visibility into whether students have made progress on assignments with Drive attachments through pre-existing workflows in Classroom. | Learn more about Drive file attachments in Classroom.

“Take notes for me” in Google Meet is rolling out soon; pre-configure access with a new admin setting
“Take notes for me,” an AI-powered feature in Google Meet that automatically takes notes during your meetings, will be rolling out soon. Prior to end user availability, admins can now configure whether their users can use this Google AI note-taking feature with a new Admin console setting. | Learn more about the admin setting for “Take notes for me.”

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 Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – July 19, 2024

    2 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.


    All new appointments need to be booked through appointment schedules in Google Calendar 
    Earlier this year, we announced that the appointment slots feature will be replaced by appointment schedules in Google Calendar. Starting this week, only appointment schedules can be created. In a couple of weeks, the appointment slots booking pages will no longer be available. At that time, all new appointments will need to be booked through appointment schedules. | Appointment schedules are available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits, Google Workspace Individual customers and Google One Premium users. | Visit the Help Center for detailed information about appointment schedules. 

    Available in beta: migrate sensitive files to Google Drive with client-side encryption 
    We are making it easier to programmatically import sensitive files to Google Drive with client-side encryption by providing code samples on Github. Eligible admins can apply for beta access to this Drive API feature using this form. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus; Education Standard and Education Plus.


    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.


    Google Classroom now supports exporting grades and importing rosters and grade settings with PowerSchool SIS 
    Google Classroom teachers can now export and import select information via the new integration with PowerSchool SIS. | Learn more about the integration with Classroom and PowerSchool SIS. 

    Teachers will soon be able to create a new class in Google Classroom using Student Information System (SIS) data 
    In the coming weeks, we will be introducing a new feature that allows teachers to set up a Google Classroom class using information directly imported from an SIS, including co-teachers, student rosters and class lists, grading categories and grading periods. Please note this feature is only available with our current SIS partners. | Learn more about creating new classes in Classroom using SIS data. 

    Google Workspace extensions for Gmail, Google Drive and Google Docs are now available in open beta for Gemini (gemini.google.com) 
    We’re pleased to announce Google Workspace extensions for Gmail, Google Drive and Google Docs are available for Gemini (gemini.google.com). When enabled, Gemini will be able to cross reference these apps as data sources to better inform its responses. | Learn more about the beta for Gemini (gemini.google.com). 

    Import and export Markdown in Google Docs 
    We’re introducing highly-requested features that enhance Docs' interoperability with other Markdown supporting tools. | Learn more about markdown in Docs. 

    Clearer re-enrollment for Google Meet hardware devices 
    We're updating the way Google Meet hardware devices are re-enrolled to provide a more intuitive experience for administrators. | Learn more about re-enrollment for Meet hardware devices. 

    Available in beta: Policy Visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drive 
    Users who are interacting with policy-protected content, such as those with data loss prevention (DLP) rules or trust rules, will now be proactively informed about what actions are prevented by those policies. | Learn more about policy visualization.


    Completed rollouts

    For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).  

    Enhancing the Google Calendar appointment scheduling experience with additional features

    What’s changing

    Following our recent announcement of the appointment slots feature in Google Calendar being replaced by appointment schedules in July 2024, we’re updating appointment schedules by adding new features to enhance the overall experience. 

    First, we’re adding the option to designate a custom weekly recurrence when creating an appointment schedule in Calendar. This will allow users to make the schedule repeat on more flexible recurrences, such as bi-weekly. 

    option to designate a custom weekly recurrence when creating an appointment schedule in Calendar

    Second, bookers (and co-hosts) can now add other guests or rooms to booked events. This feature is only available if the user creating the appointment schedule selects the “Guests can invite others” option during setup or edit of the schedule. 

    bookers (and co-hosts) can now add other guests or rooms to booked events.
    Lastly, the appointment schedule creator can now add Google Groups as co-hosts during the setup process so users can more easily host appointments with others. 

    the appointment schedule creator can now add Google Groups as co-hosts during the setup

    Getting started 


    Rollout pace 


    Availability 

    The custom recurrence option & allowing guests to invite others on Appointment Schedules are available for Google Workspace: 
    • Business Starter, Standard, Plus 
    • Enterprise Standard, Plus 
    • Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus, the Teaching & Learning Upgrade 
    • Nonprofits 
    • Workspace Individual Subscribers 
    • Google One Premium users 
    • Users with personal Google accounts 

    Adding groups as co-hosts on Appointment Schedules is available for Google Workspace: 
    • Business Standard, Plus 
    • Enterprise Standard, Plus 
    • Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus, the Teaching & Learning Upgrade 
    • Nonprofits 

    Resources