Tag Archives: Google Chat

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – November 1, 2024

4 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.

Apply black & white filter to Google Drive scans on Android devices 
In August, we announced that you can now save files scanned in the Google Drive Android app as a .JPEG. This week, we’re excited to introduce an additional scanning option that gives you the ability to apply a black & white filter on your document scans. This new filter helps enhance texts and other important elements, ensuring they are sharply defined when compared to the background region. | 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 scanning files with your mobile device.
Apply black & white filter to Google Drive scans on Android devices

AI Classification now supports Field Selection for Model Training 
When AI Classification first launched, Labels eligible for model training needed to have a single field of either a badge or option-list field type, and Labels with multiple fields were ineligible. Now, customers that use AI Classification will be able to select which badge or option list field they would like to train a model for after identifying the target label. Once trained and enabled, the AI model will automatically apply the label and will only populate the selected field. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to customers with the AI Security add-on, Gemini Enterprise add-on, and Gemini Education Premium. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about Label Google Drive files automatically using AI classification. 


Reducing noise from unfollowed threads in Google Chat
In order to make it easier to identify which unread threads are most relevant to you, we’re reducing the noise by removing visual cues from threads that you do not follow in Google Chat. Starting this week, new activity, such as unread messages from threads you do not follow, will no longer bold and appear at the top of your conversation lists. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains on web and mobile at an extended rollout pace (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility). | Available to all Google Workspace customers. 


Introducing a better filter by condition experience for tables in Google Sheets 
Tables in Google Sheets will now provide users with a smarter filter by condition experience. Sheets offers 21 options for users to filter by condition, such as “Date is” or “Text ends with”. However, we know there are scenarios in which certain filters might not be applicable based on the type of data in a spreadsheet. Based on the set column type, users will now only see relevant filter by condition options. For example, if your column type is set to number, the filter options will be number-based only. | Roll out 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 sorting & filtering your data.
Introducing a better filter by condition experience for tables in Google Sheets



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.


Refine emails faster with updates to the “Polish” shortcut in Gmail 
We’re expanding the Help me write shortcut to web and introducing a Polish shortcut on web and mobile that helps you refine emails even faster. | Learn more about email shortcuts in Gmail. 

Google Classroom now supports exporting missing and excused grades to select Student Information Systems (SIS)
Teachers can now include missing and excused grades when exporting grades to their Student Information Systems (SIS). | Learn more about exporting missing and excused grades to select Student Information Systems (SIS). 

New density setting in Google Chat 
To give users more control over how they see information in Google Chat, we’re introducing a new setting that allows you to control the visual density of screen elements. Choose between “Comfortable” or “Compact” on chat.google.com. | Learn more about density settings in Chat.

Context Aware Access insights and recommendations are now generally available
We’re making it easier to apply context-aware access (CAA) policies with new insights and recommendations. We’ll proactively surface potential security gaps and suggest pre-built CAA levels which admins can deploy to remediate the security gaps. | Learn more Context Aware Access insights.

FedRAMP High authorization for Gemini for Workspace 
As recently announced, we submitted our package to obtain FedRAMP High authorization for Gemini for Workspace, including the Gemini app. A FedRAMP High certification assures federal agencies in the United States that a cloud service provides the highest level of protection for their most sensitive data, enabling them to confidently leverage cloud technologies for critical operations. | Learn more about FedRAMP High authorization for Gemini.

Gemini in the side panel of Google Chat is now available
We’re expanding Gemini in Chat to help users collaborate more effectively in their spaces, group messages and direct messages. | Learn more about Gemini in the side panel of Chat. 

Data classifications labels for Gmail are now available in open beta
In addition to Google Drive, we’re expanding data classification labels to now include Gmail. Classification labels are used to classify and audit content according to organizational guidelines (“Sensitive”, “Confidential”, etc.) and apply policies, such as data loss prevention (DLP) rules, to protect sensitive information in email messages. Classification labels will be available when using Gmail on the web – support for Gmail on mobile devices will be introduced in the coming months. | Learn more about the beta for data classifications labels for Gmail.


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).       


    Gemini in the side panel of Google Chat is now available

    What’s changing

    For the last few months, users with the Gemini for Google Workspace add-ons and Gemini Education add-ons have used Gemini in the side panel of Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive to assist them with summarizing, analyzing, and generating content through insights gathered from their emails, documents, and more. Earlier this month, Gemini add-on subscribers began using Gemini in Google Chat for summaries of unread conversations in the home view. 

    Today, we’re expanding Gemini in Chat to help users collaborate more effectively in their spaces, group messages and direct messages. With Gemini in the side panel of Chat, you can: 
    • Summarize a space or conversation. Examples include asking Gemini the following: 
      • "Summarize this conversation."
      • "What are the key takeaways in this conversation?” 
      • After an initial summary is generated, you can ask for a longer summary, "Give me a detailed summary of [topic] discussed in this space." 
    • Generate a list of action items from that space or conversation, such as: 
      • "What are the action items in this conversation?” 
      • “Are there any action items for me in this conversation?" 
      • “Summarize [person's] action items in this space” 
    • Answer specific questions about that space or conversation by asking: 
      • “What did [person] say about the timeline extension in this space?” 
      • “What’s the decision on the project discussed in this conversation?" 
    gemini in the side panel of chat

    Who’s impacted 

    End users 


    Why you’d use it 

    Gemini in the side panel of Chat enables you to better collaborate with your team by helping you quickly catch up on missed conversations, capture action items, or search for key details that are easy to miss in a fast-moving space. 


    Additional details 

    At this time, Gemini in the side panel of Chat can summarize and analyze messages in the conversation that you are currently viewing. It will not summarize or analyze context across your entire Chat conversation history, your Gmail inbox or your Drive files. 


    Getting started 


    Rollout pace 


    Availability 

    Available for Google Workspace customers with a: 
    • Gemini Business and Enterprise add-on 
    • Gemini Education and Education Premium add-on 

    Resources 

    New density setting in Google Chat

    What’s changing 

    To give users more control over how they see information in Google Chat, we’re introducing a new setting that allows you to control the visual density of screen elements. Choose between “Comfortable” or “Compact” on chat.google.com. 

    • Comfortable mode, the default setting, reflects Chat’s modernized design, in line with Google Material Design 3, and clearly differentiates message bubbles.
    • Compact mode is for users who prefer to see more information at a time with less scrolling. With this option, you’ll notice: 
      • Message bubbles that are aligned in the same direction for both sender and recipient 
      • Wider message bubbles 
      • Padding in the left bar, conversation list, and home. 
    density settings in Chat

    Getting started

    • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
    • End users: 
      • To modify density settings, go to chat.google.com > Settings > Density > Compact. Users can revert this to the default at any time by going to chat.google.com > Settings > Density > Comfortable. 
      • Those who use Compact density setting in Gmail will also see Chat in Gmail in compact mode. Users can adjust their Gmail and Chat-in-Gmail density settings by going to Gmail > Settings > Density. 
      • Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Compact mode in Google Chat.

    Rollout pace 

    Availability 

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

    Resources 

    Preview summaries of unread conversations in the Google Chat home view with the help of Gemini

    What’s changing 

    We’re excited to announce Gemini in Google Chat can now help you catch up on unread conversations in the Chat home view with summaries. 

    Upon navigating to an unread conversation in home, click the “Summarize” button to see a quick, bulleted synopsis of the message content. This enables you to quickly review recent activity across all active conversations to determine where best to focus your time and attention. 

    Summarize conversations in Google Chat on web

    Who’s impacted 

    End users 


    Why it matters

    Since introducing a more streamlined user experience in Chat to help you find what you need much faster, we’re adding more ways to help you prioritize the most important conversations. This new summaries in home feature does just that by helping you catch up more quickly. 

    Summarize conversations in Google Chat on mobile

    Additional details 

    Summaries in the home view are available for any group conversation, space, or thread in home that contain unread messages. 


    Getting started 

    Rollout pace 

    Web,  Android & iOS:

    Availability

    Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:
    • Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium 
    • AI Meetings & Messaging 

    Resources 

    Import data from Meta Workplace to Google Chat using CloudFuze

    What’s changing

    Earlier this year, we introduced a new migration solution from Google Workspace partner CloudFuze that enables customers to import data from Slack into Google Chat. Today, we’re announcing an additional solution from CloudFuze that enables companies using Workplace for Meta to migrate their data to Google Chat. 


    This functionality is particularly useful following Meta’s announcement that Workplace will be available in read-only mode starting in September 2025 and fully unavailable in June 2026. 


    With this integration, you can move existing communities, groups, individual members, and admins into Chat spaces. In addition, all of the community posts, attachments, reactions, and more will be moved into Chat with the original historical timestamps to ensure that your knowledge repository is available for users in Chat. 



    Who’s impacted 

    Admins and developers 


    Why you’d use it 

    This CloudFuze solution imports your team collaboration data and knowledge repository from Meta Workplace into Google Chat. 


    Getting started 

    • Admins, end users and developers: Visit the CloudFuze resource page to learn how to get started with migrating Meta Workplace data into Google Chat. 

    Rollout pace 


    Availability 

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers. Note that a separate CloudFuze licensing is required to enable data migrations. 

    Resources 

    Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – October 11, 2024

    1 New update

    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.




    Create an email for a Google Chat space from the Admin console  
    Earlier this year, we introduced a new feature that enables users to send emails to spaces in Google Chat. When this launched, existing Google Group policies determined by the domain admin were respected. For example, if the admin restricted group creation in their organization, users would also be restricted from generating emails for spaces in Chat. To improve upon this experience, we’re happy to announce that admins can now create an email for a space from the Admin console. To do so, navigate to Google Chat > 'Manage spaces' > select a space > 'Space settings' > click 'Generate email' to create an email address for the space. In addition, email conversations sent to spaces will now show replies in a thread instead of as separate cards in the message stream. | The Admin console update is rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. Threading for emails in spaces will rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains starting on October 17, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about sending emails to spaces in Chat.
    Generating a space email in the Admin console
    Generating an email in the Admin console



    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.


    New document tabs in Google Docs provide a better way to organize your documents 
    We’ve introduced document tabs in Google Docs, a new feature to help you organize longer documents, centralize information, and make collaboration easier. | Learn more about tabs in Docs. 


    New and improved widgets for Google Chat app cards 
    This week, we introduced new and improved widgets for Chat app cards. | Learn more about widgets for Chat app cards. 


    Ask responders for a rating in Google Forms 
    To add to the list of question types that users can respond to in Google Forms and enable the collection of feedback in a more engaging way, we’re introducing a rating question type. | Learn more about rating questions in Forms.


    Send video messages in Google Chat 
    We’re introducing video messages in Chat, a new capability that helps you save time, convey more information, add tone or emphasis, and can be useful in a number of scenarios. | Learn more about video messages in Chat. 


    Transcriptions now available for voice messages in Google Chat 
    Users will now be able to see an automatic transcription of voice messages in Chat on web and mobile. | Learn more about Chat transcriptions. 


    Automate meeting recording, transcripts and notes for your Google Meet meetings 
    Admins now have the option to configure meeting recordings, meeting transcripts, and “take notes for me” as on by default for newly created meetings. Meeting hosts and co-hosts can edit these settings in the Calendar invite, as well as turn these artifacts off during the meeting. | Learn more about automating meeting recordings, transcripts and notes for meetings. 


    Third-party smart chips now available in Google Sheets
    Users can now add smart chips that pull information from third party apps into Sheets, and also paste third-party chips inserted in Docs directly into a spreadsheet. | Learn more about third-party smart chips in Sheets. 


    Easily find and connect to featured partner apps from the Google Workspace Marketplace 
    We’re adding a new category within the Google Workspace Marketplace: Featured partner apps. Here, you can quickly find and install the most popular Google Workspace apps. | Learn more about partner apps Marketplace.


    Available in open beta: Easily migrate files from Microsoft OneDrive to Google Drive
    Under the umbrella of our data migration services, we’re introducing a new file migration service for Admins to transfer files between OneDrive data to Google Drive for up to 100 users at a time. | Learn more about migrating files from OneDrive to Google Drive.


    Improve Google Meet livestreaming experience with more insight on eCDN performance
    We’re enhancements that will give admins greater insight to better optimize their eCDN configuration. | Learn more about Meet livestreaming. 



    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).   


    Transcriptions now available for voice messages in Google Chat

    What’s changing 

    Earlier this year, we introduced the ability to send voice messages in Google Chat to help users save time, convey more information, and emphasize the most important information for the message receiver. To build upon this highly requested communication feature and increase accessibility in Chat, we’re excited to announce voice messages transcription. 


    Starting today, users will be able to see an automatic transcription of voice messages in Chat on web and mobile. This update enables content consumption in a user’s preferred format or the format that is most convenient at that particular moment. 
    Transcriptions for voice messages in Google Chat on web

    Getting started 

    Transcriptions for voice messages in Google Chat on mobile

    Rollout pace 

    Android, iOS, and web: 

    Availability 

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers and Google Workspace Individual subscribers 

    Resources 

    Send video messages in Google Chat

    What’s changing 

    Earlier this year, we announced voice messages in Google Chat, giving users a new way to communicate with others more effectively. Today, we are introducing video messages in Chat, a new capability that helps you save time, convey more information, add tone or emphasis, and can be useful in a number of scenarios, such as: 
    • Sales or customer support team members sending video updates about new features or account changes. 
    • Executives sharing company-wide announcements or strategic updates, fostering transparency and engagement across the organization. 
    • Team members sending a video with outstanding updates in lieu of attending a live meeting. 
    Send video messages in Google Chat


    Who’s impacted 

    End users 


    Why it’s important 

    This update offers users with more flexibility in how they communicate within Chat. 


    Additional details

    Video message cannot be recorded on the following browsers and OS: ChromeOS, Linux and Firefox. 


    Getting started 

    • Admins: 
    • End users: 
      • To record a video message, select the record button in the Chat compose box and click “video message.” Then simply record your message and press send.
        • You can preview or re-record your video before sending your video message. 
        • You can send video messages in 1:1 DMs, group DMs, and spaces, and they can be interacted with (quoted, reacted to, replied to in thread, etc) just like any other Chat message. 
        • Video messages will be stored in the Media section of the Shared tab. 
        • You can send video messages on web and receive them on all platforms. The ability to record and send video messages on mobile is not available at this time. 
      • Visit the Help Center to learn more about sending a video message in Google Chat and sending & sharing files in Google Chat messages. 

    Rollout pace 


    Availability 

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

    Resources 

    New and improved widgets for Google Chat app cards

    What’s changing

    Google Chat app developers have the ability to add widgets and UI elements to make their app cards customizable and encourage users to interact with their apps in a variety of ways. 

    Today, we’re excited to announce new and improved widgets for Chat app cards, including: 
    Modern and sleek style buttons in line with the Google Material Design 3
    • The ChipList widget that provides a versatile and visually appealing way to display information. You can use chips to represent tags, categories, or other relevant data, to make it easier for users to navigate and interact with your content. 
    The ChipList widget that provides a versatile and visually appealing way to display information.png
    • An Overflow Menu that can be used in Chat cards to offer additional options and actions, without cluttering the card's interface to ensure a clean and organized design. 
    An Overflow Menu that can be used in Chat cards to offer additional options and actions
    • The option to customize the control button so that it collapses and expands sections within your Chat cards. You can choose from a range of icons or images to visually represent the section's content, making it easier for users to understand and interact with the information. The option to customize the control button so that it collapses and expands sections within your Chat cards
    • Collapsible text paragraphs that let users reveal more information on demand. This widget is perfect for presenting lengthy content or additional details that can be explored when selected, creating a dynamic and interactive user experience. 
    Collapsible text paragraphs that let users reveal more information on demand.

    Getting started


    Rollout pace 


    Availability 

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers 

    Resources



    Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – September 20, 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.



    Ability to create announcement spaces using the Google Chat API is now generally available 
    In June, we introduced the option to create announcement spaces using the Google Chat API through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program. We’re excited to announce Google Workspace developers can now use the Chat API to create announcement spaces, plus read and update the permission settings of a space. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release domains and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers. | Visit these Developer Docs for more information: PredefinedPermissionSettings and PermissionSettings fields.


    Additional improvements to tables in Google Sheets 
    Following our announcement of improvements to tables in Google Sheets, we’re adding even more enhancements to the experience. More specifically, you can now: 

    1. Insert a blank table from the pre-built table sidebar 
    Insert a blank table from the pre-built table sidebar

    2. Reference tables successfully via IMPORTRANGE. For example, if you had a table named Table1 with column header values of of Column 1, Column 2, Column 3, etc.: 
      • To import the table range, including header cells, you would input: =IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, “Table1[#ALL]”) 
      • To import only the footers of the table range, you would input: =IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, “Table1[“#TOTALS]”) 
      • To import the table range, excluding header cells, you would input: =IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, “Table1[“#DATA]”) 
      • To import the first two columns of the table range, including header cells, you would input: =IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, “Table1[[Column 1]:[Column 2],[#ALL]]”) 
    3. Use the following keyboard shortcuts to easily convert ranges to tables: 
    • Cmd+Opt+T for Mac 
    • Ctrl+Alt+T for Linux and Windows 
      Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains for #1 is complete. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now for #2 and #3; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for September 26, 2024 for #3 and October 3, 2024 for #2. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using tables in Google Sheets.


      Introducing Dual Screen on Meet
      Following the recent announcement of an improved user experience for Google Meet on Android devices, we’re excited to introduce an additional feature, available on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold device, that provides you with a more immersive video call experience. Through the use of the front and inner cameras, you can now show both yourself and what you're looking at at the same time. Additionally, the person you're video chatting with can be seen on both the inner and outer screens to include everyone around you in the call. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; rolling out now to Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn how Dual Screen on Google Meet works.

      Use both screens during a Meet call - rear screen view of foldable

      Use both screens during a Meet call - rear screen view of foldable


      Use both screens during a Meet call - front screen view of foldable



      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.


      Adding multi-monitor support to Google Slides
      We’re making it easier to view your Google Slides presentation controls on your computer while presenting to an audience using a connected external monitor or projector. | Learn more about multi-monitor support in Slides. 

      New beta available that restricts access to folders in Google Drive 
      We’ve introduced a beta that allows shared drive managers to restrict folders to specific users within a shared drive. This provides shared drive managers with greater flexibility to keep relevant content within a single shared drive, while restricting access to shared folders with sensitive information. | Learn more about restricting folder access.

      New design and accessibility improvements for embedded Google Calendars 
      Starting this week, 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, and more. | Learn more about embedded Google Calendars.

      NotebookLM now available as an Additional Service 
      Last year, we introduced an Early Access App called NotebookLM, an experimental product using some of Google's most advanced models, like Gemini 1.5 Pro, that helps you gain critical insights grounded in the content of source documents you trust. We’re excited to announce that NotebookLM is officially available as an Additional Service. | Learn more about NotebookLM. 

      Admin features for space management via the Chat API are now generally available 
      Earlier this year, we introduced a series of space management capabilities for Workspace admins in the Google Chat API via the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program. These API features are now generally available for all Google Workspace customers and developers. | Learn more about space management via the Chat API. 

      Create birthdays in Google 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. | Learn more about birthdays in Calendar. 

      Additional iOS data exfiltration enhancement: account level data sharing between Google Workspace apps and non-Google Workspace apps on or off 
      Admins can now enable content sharing on personal Workspace accounts while preventing data sharing from corporate Workspace accounts on iOS devices. | Learn more about iOS data exfiltration enhancements.


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