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Google Workspace Updates

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

  • Google Workspace Weekly Recap - September 4, 2026

    Add co-presenters in Google Meet with one click

    Previously, adding a co-presenter in Google Meet required multiple manual steps. Now, Gemini will intelligently suggest a co-presenter in the Ask Gemini in Meet panel, and with just one click, a user can allow another user to co-present their Google Slides presentation. | Learn more.

    Transitioning Google Meet room hardware to focus on Android (AOSP), ongoing ChromeOS support unchanged and up to September 2030

    We're transitioning our Google Meet hardware portfolio from ChromeOS to Android to deliver features faster, broaden device choices, and increase flexibility. We're working closely with hardware partners, including Logitech, Neat, and HP Poly, to offer Google Meet-certified devices for spaces of any size, with several exciting Android devices intended for large-format spaces planned for 2027. | Learn more.

    Google Pics brings pro-level AI image creation and editing to Google Workspace

    We are thrilled to announce that Google Pics is generally available starting today, bringing advanced AI image generation and precise, object-based image editing directly into your Workspace creative workflow. | Learn more.

    Automate Drive, Gmail, and Google Chat actions with new steps in Workspace Studio

    To help teams automate everyday work and seamlessly connect tasks across Google Workspace, we are introducing four new automation steps in Workspace Studio Flows: Move Drive file, Copy Drive file, Send a Chat reply, and Reply to email. | Learn more.

    Custom instructions for Gemini in Workspace now available in more apps

    Earlier this year, we introduced the ability for Workspace users to set persistent custom instructions for Gemini in Google Docs. We're now expanding support for these custom instructions to additional Gemini in Workspace surfaces. | Learn more.

    Turn Google Docs, PDFs, and Word files into video summaries in Google Vids

    Google Vids now allows you to transform static Google Docs, PDFs, and Word files into engaging video summaries. This new feature leverages AI to generate scripts and narration while providing custom visuals to bring your documents to life. | Learn more.

    New built-in interoperability between Google Meet and Microsoft Teams on Android (AOSP) devices, now in Early Preview

    We’re introducing video conferencing device interoperability between Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. | Learn more.

    Introducing comprehensive audit logs for Gemini Notebook in the Workspace Admin console

    Google Workspace administrators can now access comprehensive audit logs for Gemini Notebook in the Admin console, providing greater insights into how the application is used across their organizations. This update introduces full visibility into Gemini Notebook actions, allowing administrators to review usage and audit data access in the security investigation tool and audit and investigation tool. | Learn more.

    The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

  • Introducing comprehensive audit logs for Gemini Notebook in the Workspace Admin console

    Google Workspace administrators can now access comprehensive audit logs for Gemini Notebook in the Admin console, providing greater insights into how the application is used across their organizations. This update introduces full visibility into Gemini Notebook actions, allowing administrators to review usage and audit data access in the security investigation tool and audit and investigation tool.



    Gemini Notebook log events in the ‘Audit and Investigation’ tool in the Admin console.

    Additional details

    Administrators can track a wide range of user actions across multiple categories, including notebook visibility, user identity, IP address, and resource context. These audit logs can be exported and reviewed using BigQuery or accessed directly within the Admin console using the security investigation tool. These monitoring capabilities help administrators meet regulatory compliance requirements, understand collaboration patterns, and protect company data within their digital environments.

    Note:While audit log storage itself follows standard Workspace regional routing policies, Gemini Notebook user data—such as notebooks, sources, and chat histories—is stored globally and does not currently support data regionalization.

    Getting started

    Rollout pace

    Availability

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers that have access to the security investigation tool and audit and investigation tool

    Resources

    • Google Workspace Admin Help: Gemini Notebook log events

  • New built-in interoperability between Google Meet and Microsoft Teams on Android (AOSP) devices, now in Early Preview

    We’re introducing video conferencing device interoperability between Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, which will allow you to:

    • Join Microsoft Teams meetings from Android (AOSP)-based Google Meet hardware devices
    • Join Google Meet meetings from Android (AOSP)-based Microsoft Teams Rooms devices

    Please note that this interoperability feature was previously launched on Chrome OS-based Google Meet Rooms and Windows-based Microsoft Teams Rooms. This launch extends conferencing capabilities to Android devices enrolled in our Early Preview Program for users in domains on the Rapid Release track. For instructions on how to set up Google Meet on Microsoft Teams Rooms devices, consult the admin documentation provided by Microsoft.

    Getting started

    Rollout pace

    Admin console setting

    End user visibility

    Availability

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices running Android/AOSP 

    Resources

  • Turn Google Docs, PDFs, and Word files into video summaries in Google Vids

    Google Vidsnow allows you to transform static Google Docs, PDFs, and Word files into engaging video summaries. This new feature leverages AI to generate scripts and narration while providing custom visuals to bring your documents to life.



    Whether you are catching up on training material, meeting notes or reviewing lengthy documentation and reports, this tool is designed to make the process of digesting information effortless. By converting text-heavy files into concise videos, users can quickly grasp key takeaways through a more dynamic medium.





    Getting started

    • Admins:There is no admin control for this feature.
    • End users:There is no end user setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more  or try it today at vids.new

    Rollout pace

    Availability

    • Business:Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
    • Enterprise: Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus
    • Education: Education Plus
    • Consumer: Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra
    • Other Editions: Nonprofits
    • Education Add-ons: Google AI Pro for Education; Teaching and Learning

    Resources

  • Custom instructions for Gemini in Workspace now available in more apps

    Earlier this year, we introduced the ability for Workspace users to set persistent custom instructions for Gemini in Google Docs. We're now expanding support for these custom instructions to additional Gemini in Workspace surfaces, specifically:

    • Ask Gemini in Drive
    • Ask Gemini in Chat
    • Gemini side panel in Slides, Sheets, and Gmail

    These instructions help personalize your interactions with Gemini and ensure that Gemini adapts to your style, tone, and formatting preferences without needing to repeat them in every conversation, ultimately saving you time and ensuring consistency.

    With this update, users can build a set of custom instructions that Gemini respects across these Gemini surfaces. The update ensures that users have a consistent personalization experience across the platform based on their individual needs or preferences.



    You can declare preferences in any Gemini in Workspace Surface



    All saved instruction can be viewed and managed in the Personalization Setting tab


    These instructions are then used to personalize Gemini’s responses across Workspace

    Getting started

    • Admins:There is no admin control for this feature.
    • End users:Get started by opening the side panel, Ask Gemini in Drive, or Ask Gemini in Chat. You can then prompt Gemini to store a specific instruction. You can also access the ‘Your Instructions for Gemini In Workspace” Menu by selecting the hamburger menu > Settings > Personalization. Visit the Help Center to learn more about customizing Gemini in Workspace's responses with your instructions.

    Rollout pace

    Availability

    Resources



  • Automate Drive, Gmail, and Google Chat actions with new steps in Workspace Studio

    To help teams automate everyday work and seamlessly connect tasks across Google Workspace, we are introducing four new automation steps in Workspace Studio Flows: Move Drive file, Copy Drive file, Send a Chat reply, and Reply to email.

    These new steps give end users greater control over document management and cross-channel communications, enabling end-to-end automated flows directly from Workspace Studio. Admins will have settings to disable individual steps and to require end-user approval when these actions may share data with audiences outside of their organization.



    • Copy Drive file or folder: Make a copy of Google Drive files and folders when a flow runs to streamline template generation and intake processes.
    • Move Drive file or folder:Automatically move Google Drive files and folders, keeping project folders organized without manual file management.
    • Reply to email:Automatically send email replies within existing threads, preserving contextual conversation history for support, triage, and task tracking workflows.
    • Send a Chat reply:Post targeted, formatted replies into specific Google Chat spaces and threads, now complete with Markdown support for enhanced text styling, lists, and code blocks.

    Getting started

    Rollout pace

    • Drive/Chat steps – Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains:
      • Admin controls: Full rollout (1–4 days for feature visibility) starting on September 1, 2026
      • Features:Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on September 8, 2026
    • Gmail steps– Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains:
      • Admin controls:Full rollout (1–4 days for feature visibility) starting on September 8, 2026
      • Features: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on September 14, 2026

    Availability

    • Business: Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
    • Enterprise:Enterprise Standard and Plus
    • Education:Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus
    • Education Add-ons: Google AI Pro for Education; Teaching and Learning
    • Other Add-ons:AI Expanded Access

    Resources

  • Google Pics brings pro-level AI image creation and editing to Google Workspace

    We are thrilled to announce that Google Pics is generally available starting today, bringing advanced AI image generation and precise, object-based image editing directly into your Workspace creative workflow. To get started, open Pics and simply type in a prompt to generate any image using Google’s best AI imaging models, or import an image from your computer, Google Drive, or Google Photos to edit with AI.




    Pics provides a range of precision AI-powered image tools to help you refine your images to perfection. Users will be able to:

    • Generate or refine images using text prompts—Pics offers multiple variations to ensure you always capture the perfect visual
    • Hover over and select specific elements for precise, local editing
    • Edit, reformat, or even translate individual text elements
    • Crop your image for web, social media, print, or digital
    • Upscale your image to 2K or 4K
    • Maintain a persistent version history so you can easily revert unwanted changes, and more.

    With Pics, you can also edit visuals in the tools you’re already using. Simply select an image in Google Docs or Slides, and a single click lets you edit it using Pics' full suite of precision AI tools without having to switch apps or tabs. Pics also provides the collaboration features you know from other Workspace apps: you can invite teammates to collaborate, share images via a link, and create or open Pics images in Google Drive. And, in the coming weeks, you’ll also be able to use Pics to open and edit nearly any image you’ve saved in Drive with a single click.

    Getting started

    Rollout pace

    Availability

    • Business:Business Standard and Plus
    • Enterprise:Enterprise Standard and Plus
    • Consumer: Google AI Pro and Ultra
    • Education Add-ons:Google AI Pro for Education
    • Other Add-ons: AI Expanded Access

    Usage of generative AI features in Google Pics is subject to usage limits. At least through February 28, 2027, your users will have higher access to generative AI features in Google Pics. Access to these generative AI features may be limited afterward. We’ll notify you of any changes before they take effect.

    Usage of Google Pics from other Workspace surfaces (such as Google Slides) is subject to existing image generation limits.

    Resources

  • Transitioning Google Meet room hardware to focus on Android (AOSP), ongoing ChromeOS support unchanged and up to September 2030

    We're transitioning our Google Meet hardware portfolio from ChromeOS to Android to deliver features faster, broaden device choices, and increase flexibility. We're working closely with hardware partners, including Logitech, Neat, and HP Poly, to offer Google Meet-certified devices for spaces of any size, with several exciting Android devices intended for large-format spaces planned for 2027.

    Support and transition timeline for ChromeOS

    Existing investments in ChromeOS devices are protected. The support timelines for these devices have not changed and will continue to be fully supported through a multi-year transition period, extending up to September 2030 for recent models. We will continue delivering security patches, stability updates, and ChromeOS releases for all Google Meet hardware running ChromeOS.

    To help you plan room refresh cycles, hardware partners will gradually end manufacturing and sales for ChromeOS-based hardware according to the following timelines:

    • Logitech / CTL Google Meet Compute System: February 2027
    • ASUS Google Meet Compute System: April 2027

    For customers looking to purchase ChromeOS devices to complement their existing fleet, particularly for large event spaces, we encourage you to purchase devices as soon as possible.

    Benefits of Android in meeting rooms

    Adopting Android as the foundation for Google Meet hardware provides several benefits:

    • Device variety:Android-based room hardware offers a broader range of form factors, including compact all-in-one devices, video bars, and integrated room solutions. Whether equipping a focus room, collaborative huddle space, or boardroom, you have options to find the right fit.
    • Enterprise stability:Android-based devices deliver the performance, responsiveness, and stability you rely on with ChromeOS.
    • Hardware flexibility:Certified AOSP devices can run multiple video conferencing solutions, protecting your investment by allowing rooms to be repurposed without replacing equipment.
    • Long lifecycles:Devices certified for Google Meet are engineered for long-term reliability and predictable software support.

    The portfolio of supported hardware is growing as we actively work with partners to certify additional next-generation devices and qualified peripherals.

    Partner collaboration

    Our partners already offer Google Meet-certified AOSP options. Together, we're simplifying deployment, accelerating AI features like Take notes for me, and making meeting rooms more collaborative. Explore devices options and find contact information for our partners on the links below.

    Getting started

    Resources

  • Add co-presenters in Google Meet with one click

    Previously, adding a co-presenter in Google Meet required multiple manual steps. Now, Gemini will intelligently suggest a co-presenter in the Ask Gemini in Meet panel, and with just one click, a user can allow another user to co-present their Google Slides presentation.



    Note that this “nudge” will only appear for the main presenter of a Google Slides presentation in Meet if they’re on a Chrome or Edge browser and if another participant uses a trigger phrase like, “Can you please add me as a co-presenter?” or “Next slide please.”

    Getting started

    Rollout pace

    Availability

    • Business: Business Standard and Plus
    • Enterprise:Enterprise Standard and Plus
    • Education: Google AI Pro for Education
    • Other Editions: Frontline Plus

    Resources

  • Google Workspace Weekly Recap - August 28, 2026

    Now available: A refreshed user interface for Google Meet hardware touch controllers on Neat and Poly devices

    On August 26, 2026, we are officially launching our updated user interface for Neat touch controllers and  the Poly TC8. Overall, the design allows users to concentrate on their meetings rather than searching for controls, resulting in a more efficient and aesthetically pleasing experience. | Learn more.

    Generate interactive simulations and models in the Gemini app

    Gemini can transform your questions and complex topics into custom, interactive visualizations — directly within your Gemini app chat.  | Learn more.

    Restrict who can view the member lists in Google Chat spaces

    Space owners and managers can now control who can view the full list of members in a Google Chat space, providing enhanced privacy and administrative control for sensitive, large-scale, or external collaboration spaces. | Learn more.

    Introducing data import for Microsoft Teams: An easier, faster, and higher-fidelity migration to Google Workspace

    For enterprise organizations, migrating communication history and collaboration channels to a new platform can feel daunting and risk interrupting daily business operations. To make this transition smoother, we are excited to announce that migrating chat data from Microsoft Teams to Google Workspace for large scale workloads is now generally available in data import. | Learn more.

    Introducing data import for Microsoft OneDrive: An easier, faster, and higher-fidelity migration to Google Workspace

    For enterprise organizations, migrating files along with their permissions to a new platform can feel daunting and risk interrupting daily business operations. To help simplify this transition, we are excited to announce general availability of Google Workspace data import (advanced mode) to support large-scale file migrations from Microsoft OneDrive. | Learn more.

    Preserve and reuse grouped pivot table fields in Google Sheets

    Google Sheets now supports grouped field persistence for pivot tables. When you create custom groupings or work with grouped date, time, or numeric fields, these fields are now retained directly in the pivot table editor sidebar as reusable source fields. | Learn more.

    Control “Take notes for me” directly from Google Meet hardware touch controllers

    On August 31, 2026, we’ll start rolling out the ability to start, stop, and manage the “Take notes for me” feature directly from the Google Meet Hardware touch controller for eligible meetings. This ensures in-room participants have direct control over Gemini note-taking without being in Companion mode. | Learn more.

    Google Classroom now supports Context-Aware Access controls

    We’re excited to introduce the ability to specify Context-Aware Access policies to control access to Google Classroom. This update allows Google Workspace administrators to set granular security parameters for Classroom access directly from the Admin console. | Learn more.

    Improving Google Calendar’s interoperability with third-party video conferencing solutions

    We are introducing improvements to Google Calendar that make it easier to join third-party video meetings, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Cisco Webex, when collaborating across different calendar and email clients. | Learn more.

    Suppress email responses to calendar invitations and updates

    We’re introducing a new per-event setting in Google Calendar that allows meeting organizers or their delegates to decide whether or not to receive RSVP emails and automatic responses, such as out-of-office messages and vacation responders. | Learn more.

    Preview client-side encrypted PDF and image files directly in Google Drive, now available in beta

    Previously, users needed to download encrypted non-native files to their local devices to view the contents. With this capability, authorized users can immediately preview encrypted content in their web browser without leaving Drive. | Learn more.

    Gemini-based data classification in Google Drive is now available in open beta

    This feature leverages Gemini models to apply data classification labels to files in Google Drive. Previously, AI classification required admins to identify and manually label training files for the AI model to learn the types of data associated with each data classification level. | Learn more.

    The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.