Google Workspace Changes

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.

Context-Aware Access insights and recommendations are now generally available.

Google Workspace is introducing new insights and recommendations for Context-Aware Access (CAA) to help admins proactively identify security gaps and deploy pre-built access levels. These recommendations are initially placed in Monitor Mode, allowing admins to review potential access blocks via audit logs before full implementation. Admins can customize these recommendations, and primary admins will receive quarterly email updates containing actionable security insights to improve their organization's cybersecurity posture.

new setting that allows you to control the visual density of screen elements

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.

Google Chat introduces a new density setting allowing users to choose between 'Comfortable' and 'Compact' views.

Google Chat is introducing a new density setting to give users more control over the visual layout of their screen. Users can choose between 'Comfortable' mode, which follows Material Design 3 with distinct message bubbles, and 'Compact' mode, which reduces scrolling by aligning message bubbles and adjusting padding. This setting is available on the web and integrates with Gmail's density settings.

teachers can include missing and excused grades when exporting grades to their Student Information Systems (SIS)

These updates give teachers even more flexibility when it comes to grading for assignments and classwork

Google Classroom now supports exporting missing and excused grades to select Student Information Systems (SIS).

Teachers can now include assignments marked as 'missing' or 'excused' when exporting grades from Google Classroom to their connected Student Information Systems (SIS). This update provides greater flexibility for educators managing gradebooks by allowing non-numeric status markers to be synced with their SIS.

Refine emails faster with updates to the “Polish” shortcut in Gmail

expand the Help me write shortcut to web and introduce a Polish shortcut on web and mobile that helps you refine emails even faster.

Expanded availability of Google Workspace extensions in Gemini.

The expansion of the Gemini app as a core service allows users in supported Workspace editions to use Google Workspace extensions (currently in open beta for users 18+). These extensions enable Gemini to cross-reference data from Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar, Keep, and Tasks to provide more accurate and informed responses.

Gemini app is now a core service with enterprise-grade data protection for more Google Workspace editions.

The standalone Gemini app (gemini.google.com) is now available as a core service with enterprise-grade data protection for a wide range of Google Workspace editions, including Business, Enterprise, Frontline, Essentials, Education, and Nonprofits. As a core service, it is covered under existing Workspace agreements, ensuring that prompts and generated responses are not reviewed by humans or used to improve AI models without permission.

Streamlined Gemini app service settings in the Admin console.

Google is simplifying the Gemini app service settings in the Admin console by transitioning to a single checkbox for user access. Depending on whether this setting is checked, access will be granted to Gemini for Workspace licensed users, users with qualifying Workspace editions, or all users (including those accessing it as an additional service).

Google Workspace launches the Policy API in open beta to programmatically audit security and compliance settings.

Google Workspace has introduced the Policy API in open beta, enabling super admins to programmatically access and audit service level settings and rules across the environment. The API is currently read-only and covers various categories such as authentication controls, Gmail, Drive, and Meet, as well as DLP rule configurations. This update streamlines security auditing and helps administrators align their settings with CISA's secure configuration baselines without manually navigating the Admin Console.

Google Calendar on the web is introducing a refreshed user interface and a new dark mode option.

Google Calendar on the web is receiving a visual refresh aligned with Google Material Design 3, featuring more modern and accessible controls, updated typography, and crisp iconography. Additionally, users can now customize their viewing experience by toggling between light mode, dark mode, or the device default theme. These updates apply to the entire web experience, including the task list view.

Google Drive is introducing a modernized video player with updated visuals and improved playback controls.

Google Drive has updated its video player to align with Google Material Design 3, featuring a cleaner look and intuitive controls. The update includes improved fast forward and rewind buttons, easier playback speed adjustments, and better caption management, ensuring a consistent experience across Google Drive and the upcoming Google Vids editor.

Improved comments experience on Android tablets for Google Slides and Sheets.

Google Slides and Sheets on Android tablets now feature a redesigned comments experience to match the web version. Users can now see the first comment and the two most recent replies in a thread, utilize in-context commenting, and use navigation tabs and filters within the comments panel to find relevant discussions more easily.

Google Tasks is now available as a Workspace extension in the Gemini app.

Google Calendar, Google Keep and Google Tasks are also available as Workspace extensions in the Gemini app. Extensions allow the Gemini app to interact with other Google apps and services, helping to provide more contextual and relevant responses to your prompts and take certain actions across apps.