Gemini (gemini.google.com) is now available to Google Workspace users in more territories and languages

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:
ArabicBulgarianChinese (Simplified / Traditional)CroatianCzechDanishDutchEnglishEstonianFarsiFinnishFrenchGermanGreekHebrewHungarianIndonesianItalianJapaneseKoreanLatvianLithuanianNorwegianPolishPortugueseRomanianRussianSerbianSlovakSlovenianSpanishSwahiliSwedishThaiTurkishUkrainianVietnamese
And is now available to Gemini Enterprise and Business users in the following locales:
France and French TerritoriesHong Kong

Getting started

Admins: New languages will be available in Gemini (gemini.google.com) by default to all Gemini Enterprise and Business users. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Gemini (gemini.google.com) on or off for your users, or about Gemini Enterprise and Gemini Business in general.End users: To use Gemini (gemini.google.com) in any of the above languages, simply enter your prompts using one of these languages.

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 FundamentalsFrontline Starter and StandardEnterprise Essentials and Essentials PlusNonprofits
Gemini Business is available as an add-on for Google Workspace:Business Starter, Standard and Plus Enterprise Starter, Standard and PlusFrontline Starter and StandardEssentials StarterEnterprise Essentials and Essentials PlusNonprofits
Note that Gemini for Google Workspace features are only available for users over the age of 18.

Resources

Preview files in Google Drive with new hovercard feature

What’s changing 

To review files in Google Drive, you currently have to open each file manually or right-click on a file and then click “Open with > Preview” from the context menu. Additionally, if you want to see what updates have been made to a file, you have to open the file and view the Activity Dashboard. 
Today, we’re introducing file hovercards in Google Drive to improve this experience and help you complete tasks faster without having to open multiple tabs. Now, when you place your cursor over a file icon in Google Drive on the web, a hovercard will appear with a thumbnail of your file and other relevant information, such as file type, file owner, who recently modified the file and when they last modified the file. 

Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why you’d use it 

This new experience may help save time by enabling you to gain context on your files without having to open the information sidebar to view details and recent activity. 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about viewing & reordering your files and folders.

Rollout pace 

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 16, 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 

Configure managed iOS apps for your users’ using Google Mobile Device Management

What’s changing 

Directly from the Admin console, admins can remotely set custom configs for managed iOS apps on end-user devices for their enterprise using Google Mobile Device Management. Managed configurations are applied using XML property lists and the same app can be configured differently across different domains, groups, or organizational units (OUs).
Adding a managed configuration for an app using XML information

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why it’s important

Prior to this update, mobile app configuration was only available for managed Android devices. Beginning today, Workspace admins can use Managed App Configuration to set custom app configurations and deploy them to manage iOS devices across their organization. This gives admins the flexibility they need to create safety parameters that align with the various needs of users across their organization.

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting up Chrome Browser Cloud Management for iOS and enrolling browsers with Google endpoint management.End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about how your iOS device is managed.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 1, 2024

Availability

Available to Google Workspace
Business PlusEnterprise Standard and PlusEnterprise Essentials and Essentials PlusEducation Standard and PlusNonprofitsFrontline Starter and StandardCloud Identity Premium 

Available in open beta: Build AppSheet automations using Google Forms

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

AppSheet helps users automate manual workflows by integrating with data sources like Google Drive and Sheets, and today we’re excited to announce its integration with another data collection tool in Workspace: Google Forms.

Many companies rely on the data collected via form submissions when they are performing tasks for ticketing or incident reporting. However, prior to today you could only view information from form submissions via email, spreadsheet or in the Forms app itself. 
With this update, Google Forms submissions can act as event triggers within AppSheet Automations. These automations can then take many different actions, such as sending notifications or approval requests to Gmail or Google Chat, or even calling a custom Apps Script function. 

Who’s impacted 

Admins, end users and developers 

Why you’d use it 

This integration enables users to receive actionable notifications based on responses to Google Forms.

Getting started 

Admins: AppSheet admins can use AppSheet’s Policy Engine to control access to this feature by App Creators in their organization. Visit the Help Center to learn more about policy enforcement in AppSheet policies and specific guidance on preventing app creators from using Google Forms. This feature is available as an open beta, which means AppSheet app creators can use it without enrolling in a specific beta program. Developers and end users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about building automations using Google Forms. 

Rollout pace 

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 1, 2024

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
Business Starter, Standard, Plus Enterprise Standard, Plus Enterprise Essentials Plus Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus and the Teaching & Learning Upgrade Frontline Starter, Standard AppSheet Starter, Core, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus 

Resources 

External participants can now join Google Meet client-side encrypted calls

What’s changing 

We’re enhancing the experience for client-side encrypted Google Meet calls to include support for inviting external participants, including users without a Google account. Admins will need to turn on access for external participants and determine which identity provider the guest uses to join.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why it’s important

Meet already encrypts all of your data at rest and in transit between our facilities — client-side encryption gives users direct control of their encryption keys and the identity service that they choose to authenticate for those keys. Adding support for external participants means customers can collaborate with any of their stakeholders safe in the knowledge that only the meeting participants can decrypt the call media. This feature further extends the privacy and compliance capabilities of Google Meet and is the latest security enhancement, alongside encryption for in-meeting chat messages, co-host support, and the ability to join an encrypted meeting from a mobile device. For more information about client-side encryption for Google Meet, see our original announcement.

Getting started

Admins: Admins will need to update their IdP/KACLS configurations to open up for external participants and determine which third-party Identity Providers they can use to join a client-side encrypted meeting. Visit the Help Center for more information on providing external access to client-side encrypted content.

End users: Organizing encrypted calls: To turn on client-side encryption for a meeting, go to a calendar event with Meet video conferencing, navigate to Settings (cog-wheel  icon) > Security and select “Add encryption”. Contact your administrator to learn about your organization’s policies and which external identity services and guests have been configured to allow access. Visit the Help Center to learn more about inviting participants to client-side encrypted meetings.Note that only directly invited participants can join client-side encrypted meetings.

Joining encrypted calls: External users will validate their identity using a method supported by the Identity Provider. Authentication methods vary between providers. Some common options could be to log in with an account from e.g. Google or Microsoft, or by receiving an email with a one-time password. Visit the Help Center to learn more about client-side encrypted meetings.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1-3 days for feature availability) beginning on Apr 23, 2024

Availability

Available to Google Workspace:
Enterprise PlusEducation Standard and Plus