Tag Archives: Google Chat

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 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).
        

    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 

    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 

    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

    Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – December 6, 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.


    Adding improved accessibility tagging to PDFs exported from Google Docs 
    To improve the ability for users with screen readers and other assistive technology to read and navigate PDFs, we’re adding more structural and accessibility tagging in PDFs exported from Google Docs. Specifically, we’ve improved tagging for paragraphs, headings, hyperlinks, image alt text, and lists. | 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. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google Docs with a screen reader.


    Improving out of office notifications in Google Chat group messages and spaces 
    Today, if you navigate to a 1:1 direct message with someone who is out of office, you will see a banner that shows the person is out of office and the date they are returning. We’re excited to announce that this banner will now extend to group messages and spaces. | 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 more about mentioning someone else in a Chat message
    Improving out of office notifications in Google Chat group messages and spaces

    Easily discover Google Workspace Marketplace apps in Google Docs
    We’re making it easier for users to discover and install relevant add-ons and apps available in the Google Workspace Marketplace. Starting this week, when you add a link into a Google Doc that is supported by select Marketplace apps, you will be prompted to install the relevant add-on. Once installed, you can replace the link with a third-party smart chip and preview relevant app information upon hovering over the chip. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for December 10, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about inserting third-party smart chips from other applications.


    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: Policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Vids and Drive
    Earlier this year, we introduced a beta for policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. This is now generally available, and as a result, users who are interacting with policy-protected content, such as those with data loss prevention (DLP) rules or trust rules, will now be informed about what actions are prevented by those policies. | Learn more about policy visualization. 

    New beta that supports running Google Drive on Arm-compatible Windows PCs now available 
    We're excited to announce beta support for Drive for desktop on Windows 11 devices powered by Snapdragon processors. Compiled natively for ARM64, this release enables users to easily sync and store files online from Windows PCs powered by Snapdragon. | Learn more about the beta for running Google Drive on Arm-compatible Windows PCs.

    Now generally available: configure third-party apps by select API scopes 
    Earlier this year, we launched the ability to configure third-party apps by select API scopes to open beta. This feature is now generally available. | Learn more about configuring third-party apps by select API scopes. 

    Available in beta: Convert your client-side encrypted spreadsheets after a Vault or Takeout export 
    After a Vault or Data export (Takeout), admins can now convert their exported client-side encrypted spreadsheets to Excel files. | Learn more about CSE spreadsheets. 

    Adding granular control options for who can respond to Google Forms
    Form creators can limit response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences—similar to how file owners can restrict the sharing of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or Sites in Drive. | Learn more about controls on Form responses.

    Assign Calendar resources to organizational units 
    Admins can now assign Calendar resources, such as rooms, projectors, or company cars, to specific organizational units. Upon doing so, the resource will be governed by the policies and settings of the assigned organizational unit (OU), including data location policies. | Learn more about assigning Calendar resources. 

    Request an eSignature on PDF files 
    You can now request electronic signatures on PDF files stored in Google Drive. | Learn more about eSignature on PDF files. 

    Tackle repetitive tasks, extract deeper insights, and more with the latest premade Gems in the Gemini app 
    We’re introducing several new Gems which you can leverage across a variety of areas, including common use cases for teams across sales, customer service, marketing, human resources, and more. | Learn more about premade Gems in the Gemini app. 

    HIPAA and additional ISO certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile 
    We’re pleased to announce the attainment of HIPAA, ISO 27701, 27017, 27018, 9001, and 42001 certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile.| Learn more about certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile.


    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).

    Introducing huddles: instant-on, audio-first meetings in Google Chat

    What’s changing

    In continuing our effort to make Google Chat your home for team collaboration, we’re excited to introduce a fast and flexible way to connect: huddles. 

    Powered by Google Meet, huddles let you start an audio-first meeting, making real-time collaboration easier than ever. Once the huddle has started, you can resize or drag the window, add video, or share your screen for a fuller meeting experience while multitasking in Chat. 

    Huddles provide a seamless collaboration experience across Chat and Meet, and can be useful in a variety of scenarios, such as two colleagues syncing quickly to discuss a project they’ve been messaging about in their Chat stream. 
    starting a huddle in google chat

    Who’s impacted 

    End users 


    Why you’d use it 

    Huddles help to reduce meeting fatigue for hybrid workers, and eliminates the need for lengthy discussions over email or in Chat. Instead of jumping out of the conversation and into a meeting, huddles integrates directly and smoothly into the Chat experience. The format of huddles also supports multi-tasking while in Chat as you can easily resize or share your screen. 


    Additional details

    The Meet video button that’s currently in the compose bar of Chat is moving to the Chat header, giving you multiple options such as the ability to call, start a huddle, or share a Meet link through a single entry point. 


    Getting started 

    • Admins: If Meet is turned OFF for users in your domain, they will not be able to create Huddles, but they can join Huddles. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning on Meet meetings and calls for your organization. 
    • End users:
      • Huddles are available in direct messages, group messages and spaces. 
      • To start a huddle in Chat, click the Video icon in the top right corner of your chat message > select Start a huddle. 
        • Huddles start audio only as default but you can turn video on at any moment. 
      • When you’re requested to join a huddle, you will see a chat chip in your message thread that says [user] has started a huddle, click “Join” to enter the huddle. You will also see the huddles toggle in the Chat header for that conversation. 
      • Visit the Help Center to learn more about huddles in Google Chat. 

    Rollout pace 

    • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 27, 2024, with expected completion by December 20, 2025 
    • Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on January 6, 2025 

    Availability 


    Available for Google Workspace: 
    • Business Starter, Standard, and Plus 
    • Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus 
    • Frontline Starter and Standard 
    • Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus 
    • Nonprofits 

    Resources