WorryFree Computers   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

This announcement was part of Google I/O ‘24. Visit the Workspace Blog for more  about new ways to engage with Gemini for Workspace and the Keyword Blog for more ways to stay productive with Gemini for Google Workspace.


What’s changing
Earlier this year, we announced that Google Workspace customers with a Gemini Enterprise or Business add-on now have access to chat with Gemini at gemini.google.com. 


Starting today, we’re pleased to announce that Gemini (gemini.google.com) is now available in more than 35 languages:
  • Arabic
  • Bulgarian
  • Chinese (Simplified / Traditional)
  • Croatian
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English
  • Estonian
  • Farsi
  • Finnish
  • French
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Hungarian
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Latvian
  • Lithuanian
  • Norwegian
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Romanian
  • Russian
  • Serbian
  • Slovak
  • Slovenian
  • Spanish
  • Swahili
  • Swedish
  • Thai
  • Turkish
  • Ukrainian
  • Vietnamese

And is now available to Gemini Enterprise and Business users in the following locales:
  • France and French Territories
  • Hong Kong
Getting started
Rollout pace
  • Available immediately.

Availability
  • Gemini Enterprise is available as an add-on for Google Workspace:
    • Business Standard and Plus 
    • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
    • Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus and Fundamentals
    • Frontline Starter and Standard
    • Enterprise Essentials and Essentials Plus
    • Nonprofits

  • Gemini Business is available as an add-on for Google Workspace:
    • Business Starter, Standard and Plus 
    • Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus
    • Frontline Starter and Standard
    • Essentials Starter
    • Enterprise Essentials and Essentials Plus
    • Nonprofits
Note that Gemini for Google Workspace features are only available for users over the age of 18.

Resources


1 New update

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.


Expanding Slides recordings to Microsoft Edge 
Last year, we introduced slides recordings, a Google Slides feature that lets you easily record yourself presenting, and then share the presentation with others to view when it works for them. This week, we’re excited to announce you can now create recordings in Microsoft Edge, in addition to Google Chrome on your desktop. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for May 22, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus and Education Plus. | Learn more about using slides recording in Google Slides.




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.


A simplified experience for Workspace users to add 2-Step Verification (2SV) methods 
We’re simplifying how users turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV), which will streamline the process, and make it easier for admins to enforce 2SV policies in their organizations. | Learn more about adding 2-Step Verification (2SV) methods. 

Block compromised mobile devices using context-aware access 
Using context-aware access, you now have the option to automatically block access to Google Workspace data from compromised Android and iOS devices. A device may be counted as compromised if certain unusual events are detected, including devices that are jailbroken, bypassing of security controls, modification of restricted settings, and more. | Learn more about compromised mobile devices. 

Improving suspension alerting for Google Meet hardware devices 
To ensure customers with Google Meet hardware devices have sufficient notice about canceled or expired device subscriptions, we’re adding notifications in the Admin console. | Learn more about suspension alerts in Meet hardware. 

Easily convert data to dropdown chips in Google Sheets 
We’re adding a new feature that helps you quickly convert ranges of data into dropdown chips in bulk. If you have a column of data that includes a variety of data values (e.g., different project statuses like on track, paused, completed), Sheets will show a “Convert to dropdown chips” suggestion when you click into your data range. | Learn more about dropdown chips in Sheets. 

New ways to quickly format and organize data with tables in Google Sheets 
We’re excited to announce tables in Google Sheets, which helps you simplify and accelerate spreadsheet building by bringing format and structure to unorganized ranges. | Learn more about tables in sheets. 

Breakout room information is now included in Google Meet attendance reports 
We’re now including breakout room attendance as part of attendance reporting in Google Meet. Attendance reports help meeting organizers keep track of who attended their meetings and for how long, which can be challenging during larger meetings or while presenting. | Learn more about breakout room information. 

Set the default camera framing option for Google Meet hardware devices, and other framing updates 
We’re introducing several updates around framing controls for Google Meet hardware devices: 1) an admin setting which will allow admins to choose a default framing option for their meeting spaces, 2) framing support on whiteboards (Series One Desk 27 and Board 65) and remote controlled only Google Meet hardware devices, 3) a few small adjustments to how camera framing settings appear on hardware devices. | Learn more about framing updates for Meet hardware devices. 

Get notifications for all messages in a Google Chat space 
For conversations that require a higher level of attention, we’re introducing a new “notify all” functionality for in-line threaded spaces. If this option is selected, you will be notified of all new messages in the space. This includes receiving notifications for all @ mentions, threads followed, and even threads that you do not follow, allowing you to stay on top of everything happening in a conversation. | Learn more about notifications in Google Chat.


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).   

What’s changing
In the last year, we’ve made numerous improvements to Google Chat that help you stay on top of the busy flow of communication and make it easier to prioritize and find the conversations that are most important to you. However, there are some conversations where you always need to be notified, like spaces dealing with customer support or operational issues. 

For conversations that require a higher level of attention, we’re introducing a new “notify all” functionality for in-line threaded spaces. If this option is selected, you will be notified of all new messages in the space. This includes receiving notifications for all @ mentions, threads followed, and even threads that you do not follow, allowing you to stay on top of everything happening in a conversation. 

The options within notification settings are being updated to: “All”, “Main conversations”, “For you”, and “None” so that you can better tailor your notifications preferences for in-line threaded spaces. 


Get notifications for all messages in a Google Chat space


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: To update your notification settings in a space, click the three dots (more options) next to the space name > Notification settings > select an option for notifications. Or you can click the space header > Notifications > select an option for notifications. Visit the Help Center to learn more about customizing notifications for a space with in-line threading. 
Rollout pace 
Web: 
  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 10, 2024 
  • Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 4, 2024 
Android: 
iOS: 
Availability 
  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers 
Resources 

What’s changing
We’re introducing several updates around framing controls for Google Meet hardware devices:


First, we’re introducing an admin setting which will allow admins to choose a default framing option for their meeting spaces, ensuring every meeting begins with an optimally configured view. This will help your users jump right into their meetings without having to re-adjust camera settings from the previous meeting. This can be set individually for each device or via the bulk updates across your fleet.

Setting the default camera framing option in the Admin console




Next, we’re adding framing support on whiteboards (Series One Desk 27 and Board 65) and remote controlled only Google Meet hardware devices, which will help ensure optimal camera framing on these devices.


Remote control framing user interfaceWhiteboard framing user interface




Finally, we’re making a few small adjustments to how camera framing settings appear on hardware devices. For Meet on Android, we’re removing the “Continuous framing” toggles and replacing them with a “Framing by” toggle. Depending on the third-party devices you’re using, you’ll see “Framing by Logitech”,“Framing by Huddly” or “Framing by Poly”, for example. We’re also changing the “Home” button to “Reset to default”.
Updated camera framing settings on Meet hardware devices



Getting started
Rollout pace

Availability
  • Available to all Google Workspace customers

Resources

What’s changing 
We’re now including breakout room attendance as part of attendance reporting in Google Meet. Attendance reports help meeting organizers keep track of who attended their meetings and for how long, which can be challenging during larger meetings or while presenting. This becomes more complicated when using breakout rooms to divide meeting participants into smaller groups. Adding breakout room attendance makes for a more comprehensive report and reduces the burden on meeting hosts to track breakout room attendance manually.


Getting started
  • Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about letting organizers get reports on meeting attendance.
  • End users: When enabled by your admin, attendance reports will automatically be sent to the meeting host. Attendance reports for breakout rooms will be in their own tab in the spreadsheet. Visit the Help Center to learn more about attendance tracking
Rollout pace

Availability
Available to Google Workspace
  • Essentials
  • Business Plus
  • Enterprise Starter, Essentials, Standard, and Plus
  • Education Plus and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade

Resources

This announcement was part of Google Cloud Next ‘24. Visit the Workspace Blog to learn more about the next wave of innovations in Workspace, including enhancements to Gemini for Google Workspace.


What’s changing

We know it can be time consuming to perform repetitive tasks like updating data in a spreadsheet. In addition, maintaining the structure and format of the data can be difficult when there are multiple people updating the document.

To help solve for this, we’re excited to announce tables in Google Sheets. With tables, you can simplify and accelerate spreadsheet building by bringing format and structure to unorganized ranges. By selecting your data range and going to Format > Convert to table, Sheets now does the heavy lifting to format and organize data with a polished design including column types, filters, color coding, dropdown menus and more. 
Convert to table in Google Sheets
Here’s how using tables reduces the time you would usually spend manually formatting data: 
  • Auto-applied formatting: When you convert your data to a table, Sheets automatically applies formatting to polish your data so that all inputs are properly aligned, reducing the need for manual changes. You can further customize your table by changing colors, readjusting the row height, and more. 
  • Column types: For each column, you can set the appropriate column type (e.g., date, currency, dropdown), and your table will make sure all entered data has the right formatting based on the column type. Data entered that does not align with a set column type will result in a warning. 
  • Unified menu: Above the table, you will see a menu option to manage table-level settings (e.g., adjust table range) and take action (e.g., create a filter view for your table). 
  • Table references: Table references are a special way to refer to a table or parts of a table in a formula. When you convert your data to a table, Sheets provides a name for the table and each column header. When you reference table elements by name, the references update whenever you add or remove data from the table. For example: Instead of explicit cell references: =COUNTIF(B2:B10, “P0”), you can use table references: =COUNTIF(Task_tracker[Priority], “P0”). 
When you are using tables, you’ll also have access to our new type of view, group by, where you can aggregate your data into groups based on a selected column. For instance, you can decide to group all data at the same priority level in one place, as shown below.
Group by view in Tables in Google Sheets
We’re also introducing pre-built tables that you can populate with common data types for everyday tasks like project management, inventory management, event planning and more. Now with pre-built tables, you never have to build a spreadsheet from scratch again. 
Pre-built tables in Sheets
Who’s impacted
End users 


Why it matters 
Tables will transform the way teams organize their data, simplify data creation, and reduce the repetitive tasks needed to format, input, and update data. They also allow teams to confidently share data widely while maintaining its integrity and consistency. 

Tables are well suited for tracking and organizing information such as project tracking, event planning, and inventory management. 

Getting started 
Rollout pace 
  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 8, 2024, with expected completion by May 30, 2024 
  • Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 6, 2024 
Availability 
  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts 
Resources 

What’s changing
In March, we introduced the ability to insert preset dropdown chips that are configured for common use cases like priority or review statuses in Google Sheets. Today, we’re adding a new feature that helps you quickly convert ranges of data into dropdown chips in bulk. 

If you have a column of data that includes a variety of data values (e.g., different project statuses like on track, paused, completed), Sheets will show a “Convert to dropdown chips” suggestion when you click into your data range. By hovering over that indicator, you can preview the suggestion and then convert to dropdown chips in one click. 
Easily convert data to dropdown chips in Google Sheets


Getting started 
  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • To insert dropdown chips on your own, type “@” followed by “dropdown”.
      To turn off this feature, go to Tools > Suggestion controls > (deselect) Enable dropdown chip suggestions. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about inserting smart chips in your Google Sheets.

Rollout pace 
  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 7, 2024, with expected completion by May 30, 2024
  • Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 30, 2024 

Availability 
  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts 
Resources 

What’s changingTo ensure customers with Google Meet hardware devices have sufficient notice about canceled or expired device subscriptions, we’re adding notifications in the Admin console. Depending on your subscription details and timeline, you will see: 

  • A warning banner in the Google Meet hardware section of Admin console when your Google Meet hardware subscription has expired and suspension is imminent. It will include the suspension date. 

  • A warning banner in the Google Meet hardware section of Admin console when your Google Meet hardware subscription has been suspended. 

Meet hardware subscription has been suspended.
  • An on-device suspension warning. 
    • The on-device warning will be ON by default and will begin to appear for customers with imminent suspensions starting May 29, 2024. 
    • To turn the on-device warning OFF, go to Admin console > Google Meet hardware > Settings > On-device suspension warning > Prevent devices from displaying on-screen suspension warnings. 
    • If this box is checked, devices will not display an on-device warning during the 3-day period prior to subscription suspension. 
On-device suspension warning in GMh admin console

On-device suspension warning in GMh Admin Console 

Who’s impacted 
Admins and end users



Why it’s important 
These notifications ensure admins are aware of potential subscription and/or functionality changes for the Google Meet hardware devices in their domain. 



Additional details 
The ‘Provisioning Status’ column and filter will be removed from the Device list page. 



Getting started 
  • Admins: For each Google Meet hardware device you purchase, you also purchase and assign a software license to that device. Licenses allow your device to work with the Google Meet service and gain access to device management tools in the Google Admin console. Visit the Help Center to learn more about licensing.
  • End users: If a on-device suspension warning occurs, people in the room will see a warning when the device is 3 days away from suspension. 
On-device suspension warning on GMh device

On-device suspension warning on GMh device

Rollout pace

Availability 
  • This update impacts all Google Workspace customers with Meet hardware devices. 

Resources 





What’s changing 
Using context-aware access, you now have the option to automatically block access to Google Workspace data from compromised Android and iOS devices. A device may be counted as compromised if certain unusual events are detected, including devices that are jailbroken, bypassing of security controls, modification of restricted settings, and more.

Creating a new rule to block compromised mobile devices


Blocking message for compromised iOS and Android devices






Getting started

Rollout pace
  • Block access to Google Workspace data: available immediately for both Android and iOS.
  • Remediation message: available immediately for Android, available on May 9, 2024 for iOS. 

Availability
Available to Google Workspace
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
  • Frontline Standard
  • Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Cloud Identity Premium

What’s changing

We’re simplifying how users turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV), which will streamline the process, and make it easier for admins to enforce 2SV policies in their organizations.  

Here are some of the important changes with this change:

  • Users may add “second step methods” (such as Google Authenticator, or a hardware security key) before turning on 2SV. This is particularly helpful for organizations using Google Authenticator (or other equivalent time-based one-time password (TOTP) apps). Previously, users had to enable 2SV with a phone number before being able to add Authenticator.

  • Users with hardware security keys will have two options to add them to their account on the “Passkeys and security keys” page:
    • ‘Use security key”: this registers a FIDO1 credential on the security key even if the key itself is FIDO2 capable.
    • ‘Create passkey and follow instructions to “use another device”: this registers a FIDO2 credential on the security key, and will require users to use the key’s PIN for local verification (this creates a passkey on the security key).
    • Note: users will continue to be asked for their password along with their passkey if the admin policy for “Allow users to skip passwords at sign-in by using passkeys” remains turned OFF (this is the default configuration).

  • If an enrolled 2SV user turns 2SV OFF from their account settings, their enrolled second steps (such as backup codes, Google Authenticator, or second factor phone) are not automatically removed from their account. Before this change all second factors would be removed when the user turned 2SV off. Note: When an administrator turns off 2SV for a user from the Admin console or via the Admin SDK, the second factors will be removed as before, to ensure user off-boarding workflows remain unaffected
Getting started
Rollout pace

Availability
  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts 

Resources