This official feed from the Google Workspace team provides essential information about new features and improvements for Google Workspace customers.
rss_feed

What’s changing

We recently released our refreshed library of templates in Google Slides, and today we’re introducing 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. Document tabs keep your documents organized, placeholder chips make it easy for you and your collaborators to add data, and building blocks, pre-set layouts and styles give your document a premium look and feel. Accessible via the “Templates” button at the top of a newly created document or by going to File > New > From template gallery in an open document, users can find customizable templates that cater to a wide range of use cases. For example, there are templates for blog posts, press releases, business proposals, and journals, in addition to: 

  • A project roadmap, marketing plan, and sales emails for business users. 
  • An interview guide, onboarding guide, and training manual for human resource teams. 
  • A reading list and class notes templates for education users. 
new templates in Docs

Who’s impacted 

End users


Why you’d use it 

Docs templates help users save time since they don’t have to build documents from scratch, create more uniform, high-quality, visually-appealing documents, and enable them to be more productive with the latest Docs features in their daily processes. 


Additional details

You can expect even more high-quality Docs template options in the coming months. 


Getting started 

Rollout pace 

Availability

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

Resources 

Read More

What’s changing

We’re pleased to introduce Gemini LTI™, an AI-powered assistant that can integrate into third party Learning Management Systems (LMS). Gemini LTI™ helps enhance the educational experience for both educators and students by providing AI-driven tools and features powered by Gemini within their LMS environment. To start, Gemini LTI™ integrates with Canvas by Instructure and Powerschool Schoology Learning. 





Who’s impacted

Admins and end users


Why you’d use it

Google is committed to making AI helpful for everyone, in the classroom and beyond. Bringing Gemini into LMS tools helps educators boost their creativity and productivity to create more dynamic and engaging learning experiences for their students. Specifically, educators can use the AI tools to:

  • Outline a lesson plan, including learning objectives.
  • Generate a quiz and export it to Google Forms.
  • Create a hook to spark curiosity and engage your students.

Students can further solidify what they’re learning in the classroom or explore new topics alongside an AI:
  • In-the-moment assistance: get unstuck and keep learning going by get clarification in real time. 
  • Learning coach: get a step-by-step learning plan built around specific learning goals.
  • Brainstorming partner: generate fresh ideas for a research paper, additional authors to read, and more.
  • Feedback on writing: get suggestions on how to strengthen your arguments and hone your ideas
  • Mock interviews: prepare for an upcoming internship or extra curricular interview.


Additional details

Gemini LTI™ is part of Google Workspace LTI, our suite of LTI™ tools, including Assignments LTI™, Google Drive LTI™, and Google Meet LTI™. Visit our Help Center to learn more about Workspace LTI™. 


Getting started

Read More

What’s changing 

The Google Classroom API enables third-party developers to manage classes, rosters, invitations and more in Google Classroom. 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. 

More specifically, developers can read and write rubrics using the API, and also see student submission scores broken down by the corresponding rubric criteria, rather than just accessing the total score, enabling deeper insights into student performance. 

Create and manage rubrics using the Google Classroom API

Who’s impacted

Admins and developers 


Why it’s important 

This update enables developers to create and manage rubrics on behalf of teachers at scale, and retrieve rubric-based grades to support more holistic student performance insights. 


Getting started

  • Admins: The Classroom API provides a RESTful interface for you to manage courses and rosters in Google Classroom. Learn more about the Classroom API overview. 
  • Developers:

Rollout pace 

  • Available now. 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
  • Education Plus 

Resources

Read More

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, with expected completion by mid January 2025. | 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 direct messages and spaces. If a group direct message or space has more than 6 users, out of office status will only be shown if the user is @ mentioned. | 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).

Read More

What's changing

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. These certifications give customers the peace of mind that data (including personally identifiable, financial and medical information) submitted to or generated by the Gemini app will be handled in accordance with recognized security controls and privacy frameworks.

With these certifications, Gemini for Workspace and the Gemini app each have a comprehensive set of safety, privacy and security certifications internationally recognized by regulatory and compliance bodies.

The achievement of ISO 42001, the world's first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS), certifies that Gemini has been developed, deployed, and maintained responsibly with appropriate ethical considerations, data governance, and transparency. To date, no other generative AI offering for productivity and collaboration has met this level of recognition, showing that Gemini is the first in the industry ready to support businesses and public sector organizations while benefiting all users.





Additional details



Getting started

Rollout pace

  • Available now

Availability

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

Available for Google Workspace customers accessing the Gemini app as a core service with these editions:
  • Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus
  • Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus
  • Frontline Starter, Frontline Standard
  • Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Google Workspace for Nonprofits
  • Education Standard, Education Plus

Read More

Useful Links

Join the official community for Google Workspace administrators

In the Google Cloud Community, discuss the latest features with Googlers and other Google Workspace admins like you. Learn tips and tricks that will make your work and life easier. Be the first to know what's happening with Google Workspace.

Learn about more Google Workspace launches

On the “What’s new in Google Workspace?” Help Center page, learn about new products and features launching in Google Workspace, including smaller changes that haven’t been announced on the Google Workspace Updates blog.

Learn about our customers

Discover how a diverse range of organizations, from small businesses and nimble startups to globally recognized Fortune 500 corporations, leverage the collaborative power of Google Workspace. Explore examples of how teams of are streamlining workflows and driving productivity by utilizing Google-Workspace.