Google Workspace Changes

Google Voice Starter now supports desk phones and analog telephone adapters.

Google Voice Starter plan is expanding its capabilities to include support for compatible desk phones and analog telephone adapters (ATAs). This enhancement offers greater flexibility for organizations using the Starter plan, enabling users to make and receive calls on traditional desk hardware according to their preference. This feature aligns the Starter plan more closely with the comprehensive solutions offered by Google Workspace.

Google Sheets now allows direct import of large .csv files to BigQuery for analysis.

Google Sheets has enhanced its capabilities by enabling users to directly import large .csv files into BigQuery for analysis. This new feature streamlines the workflow, allowing users to open and analyze massive datasets from Google Drive or via the Data > Data Connectors menu in Sheets. Once imported to BigQuery, users can leverage familiar Sheets features like charts, pivot tables, and formulas through Connected Sheets, significantly expediting the process from raw data to insights.

Gemini-based models for data classification are now available in closed beta for Google Drive, enabling automated file labeling via administrator-defined prompts.

Google Workspace is introducing Gemini-based models for data classification in Google Drive, now in closed beta. This new capability streamlines the data classification process by allowing administrators to use Gemini models to interpret prompts, evaluate files, and apply appropriate data classification labels, eliminating the previous requirement for manual model training with labeled files. This aims to enhance data protection and compliance by achieving high accuracy in file classification at scale.

Google Meet users now have access to the full emoji library for reactions.

Google Meet users now have access to the full emoji library for reactions in Google Meet. Reactions allow users to engage with meeting content, share meaningful feedback or praise, and celebrate company culture using a wider range of emojis.

Gemini Deep Research now integrates with Google Workspace content (Gmail, Chat, Drive) for more comprehensive reports.

Gemini's Deep Research feature now integrates with Google Workspace apps, allowing it to gather information from your content in Gmail, Chat, and Drive (including Slides, Sheets, and Docs files) in addition to the web. This eliminates the need to manually upload individual files, making research more efficient and context-aware for end users, students, educators, and small businesses.

Google Drive now allows users to set sharing expirations for files and folders in shared drives and My Drive directly from the sharing dialog, enhancing security and organization.

Google Drive has introduced the ability to set expiration dates for shared files and folders directly within the sharing dialog, extending this functionality to both shared drives and My Drive. This update builds upon existing API capabilities and addresses a highly requested feature, simplifying access management for temporary collaborators. Users can now easily specify when access to a file or a folder (for Viewer role) should automatically revoke, eliminating manual cleanup and ensuring consistent expiration behavior across different Drive environments.

Inline threading is rolling out for direct messages and group direct messages in Google Chat, allowing users to reply in-thread to any message in direct conversations for better organization.

Inline threading, previously exclusive to Spaces, is now being introduced to direct messages (DMs) and group direct messages (gDMs) in Google Chat. This highly anticipated feature aims to streamline the Chat experience by enabling users to reply in-thread to individual messages in direct conversations, thereby enhancing conversation organization and reducing clutter in the main chat stream.

Redesigned Google Chat conversation header with simpler navigation and side panel for shared content and tasks.

Google Chat on the web is introducing a redesigned conversation header that offers a simpler, more consistent layout, making key tools more accessible. This update includes a new side panel for users to access shared files, links, media, and manage tasks directly within the conversation view, with options to adjust its width or expand to full-screen. The header now features icons for quick navigation to 'Shared', 'Tasks', 'Threads', and 'Board'.

Google Meet in-meeting messages will now be powered by and available in Google Chat, enabling continued conversations after meetings.

Starting November 10, 2025, Google Meet in-meeting messages will be integrated with Google Chat. This enhancement allows meeting attendees to continue discussions, share emojis, images, and files directly within Google Meet, with all content consolidated into Google Chat for easy post-meeting access to resources and conversation history. This aims to improve post-meeting follow-through and team productivity.