Google Workspace Changes

users can now create names for existing and new group direct messages

In order to manage discussions more easily and find conversations quicker, users can now create names for existing and new group direct messages.

This feature, which can be thought of as a virtual bulletin board, organizes important information and helps keep your team on the same page

the board in Chat organizes important information and helps keep your team on the same page by enabling anyone to: Pin and share crucial messages, files, and links for quick access

Introducing the board tab in Google Chat for organizing important messages, files, and links.

Google Chat is introducing a new board tab that acts as a virtual bulletin board, allowing users to pin and share crucial messages, files, and links for quick access. The board appears as a right panel next to the conversation stream and includes intelligent resource suggestions powered by Gemini to help teams maintain a single source of truth. Space managers can control modification permissions to ensure the board remains organized and relevant for all team members.

We’re introducing improvements to adding and working with cover images in Google Docs.

In addition to the “Choose from stock images” and “Upload from computer”, insertion options, users can now add images via: Searching the web

new Poll app to gather feedback directly in their Google Chat conversations

Through a simple creation process, teams and groups can share questions for feedback.

Google Docs is enhancing the cover image experience with more insertion options, expanded stock images, and improved UI.

Google Docs has updated its cover image functionality for pageless documents. Users can now insert cover images by searching the web, uploading from Google Drive, importing from Google Photos, or pasting a URL. Additionally, over 100 new stock images have been added with category filtering for art, food, and abstract themes. The 'Cover image' chip at the top of documents now displays a placeholder image and a menu with options to create images with Gemini or insert them via the new methods.

Introduction of a new Poll app in Google Chat for gathering feedback.

Google Chat is introducing a new Poll app that allows teams and groups to create and vote on polls directly within conversations. This feature enables users to gather feedback on topics like meeting times or team outings with options for multi-choice or anonymous voting and instant results. The app can be accessed using the '/poll' command, '@Poll', or through the quick command plus button menu.

Instructors using Meet LTI can now control when meeting recordings are shared with students.

Instructors using Google Meet Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) to create and host meetings can now control how meeting recordings are shared. Previously, all meeting participants had access to the recording automatically; now, instructors can use a toggle within the 'Meet artifacts' tab to manage when recordings are shared with students.

Instructors can control how meeting recordings are shared through Meet LTI.

Instructors using Meet LTI™ to create and host meetings can control how meeting recordings are shared. Previously, everyone in the meeting could access the recording after the meeting. Now, instructors can control when recordings are shared with students.

Instructors using Meet LTI™ to create and host meetings can control how meeting recordings are shared

Now, instructors can control when recordings are shared with students.

Google Vault now supports eDiscovery for the Gemini app, allowing admins to search and export conversations.

Google Vault now supports the Gemini app on web and mobile, enabling administrators to perform eDiscovery tasks. Admins can search for Gemini app prompts and responses using filters such as user and date across groups or Organizational Units, and export these conversations in XML format via the UI or API. This update helps organizations meet regulatory and legal obligations regarding Gemini collaborative data from a central tool.

Going forward, admins can use Vault for eDiscovery tasks to search Gemini app conversations and create an export of your search results.

Going forward, admins can use Vault for eDiscovery tasks to search Gemini app conversations and create an export of your search results. Specifically, the following actions can be taken around Gemini app data

Improving Google Chat app commands

To simplify this process, we’re excited to introduce quick commands, a way for users to invoke an app command directly without typing a slash command.

Introduction of quick commands for Google Chat apps.

Google Chat is introducing quick commands, which allow users to invoke app commands directly via the plus button menu next to the compose box instead of typing a slash command. Developers can configure these commands through the Chat API configuration page.

New formatting options for people chips in Google Sheets.

Users can now customize the display format of people chips in Google Sheets. In addition to the default display name, options for 'Last name, First name' and 'Email address' are now available via the Format > Smart chips menu.