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.
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
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.
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:
- Use Gemini in Google Docs to create unique images for your documents
- More ways to get started quickly with building blocks in Google Docs
- Now generally available: Policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Vids and Drive
- Adding granular control options for who can respond to Google Forms
- Create fully stylized documents using Gemini in Google Docs
Scheduled Release Domains:
- Comments and action items are now available for client-side encrypted Google Sheets and Slides
- Introducing a new look and feel for Google Calendar on the web
- Respond to conversations without leaving the home view in Google Chat
- Table reference improvements in Google Sheets
- Automatic framing is now available to everyone in Google Meet video calls, plus an improved experience when using virtual backgrounds
- Find files more easily with the Drive Android file picker
Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains:
- Search for and reuse pre-defined queries from BigQuery in Connected Sheets
- The Gemini mobile app is now available for Google Workspace users
- Now generally available: configure third-party apps by select API scopes
- Assign Calendar resources to organizational units
- Improving out of office notifications in Google Chat group messages and spaces
- Easily discover Google Workspace Marketplace apps in Google Docs
- Create and manage rubrics using the Google Classroom API
- Introducing Gemini Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI™)
For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).