Expanding multi-party-approvals to domain-wide-delegation actions

What’s changing

Earlier this year, we announced multi-party approvals for sensitive actions taken in the admin console, specifically requiring one admin to approve actions taken by another. At launch, these protections applied to several settings, including 2-step verification, account recovery, and more. 
Today, we’re expanding multi-party approvals to include domain-wide-delegation. Domain-wide-delegation is a powerful feature which allows admins to grant third-party applications permission to access your Workspace users’ data. Bringing this feature under the umbrella of multi-party-approvals helps mitigate the risk of data exfiltration by internal bad actors or if admin credentials have been compromised. 
Overall, multi-party-approvals help ensure no sensitive action happens in a silo and, most importantly, helps prevent unauthorized or accidental changes from being made. This added layer of approval helps ensure actions are being taken appropriately and not too broadly or too often. For more information, see our original announcement.
When domain-wide-delegation changes are attempted, admins will be required to submit the change to a super admin for approval.
 Super admins can review and take action on these requests in the Admin console by navigating to Security > Multi-party approval. Super admins will also receive email alerts when a change is requested or any other protected action is attempted.


Getting started

Admins: The multi-party approvals feature is available for eligible Workspace customers with two or more super admin accounts. Multi-party approvals are OFF by default and can be turned on in the Admin console by going to Security > Multi-party approval settings. Visit the Help Center to learn more about multi-party approvals for sensitive actions.

Rollout pace

Availability

Available for all Google Workspace customers

Resources

Introducing Student Groups in Google Classroom

What’s changing 

We’re excited to introduce a new feature in Google Classroom that enables teachers to create groups of students to make assigning differentiated content easier. This update will allow them to quickly assign classwork to pre-defined sets of students without having to tediously select individual students. 
Now, teachers can differentiate content across sub-sections of their class based on their students’ needs. For example, teachers can create groups based on reading levels and as their class adapts, they can edit members of a group or delete groups within their class. 

Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why you’d use it 

Groups in Classroom will help teachers organize, manage and understand performance in their class. 

Additional details 

Group names and members are only visible to teachers or co-teachers, not students. 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting up and using student groups in Google Classroom.

Rollout pace 

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 20, 2024 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
Education Plus and the Teaching & Learning Upgrade 

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – August 30, 2024

2 New updates

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.


The AppSheet Admin Console is now available in public preview
For the first time, Workspace admins will have visibility into the users, apps and licenses associated with their AppSheet users via the AppSheet Admin Console. Previously, these advanced monitoring capabilities were limited to AppSheet Enterprise customers. Now all Workspace admins with the AppSheet service privilege can use this data to gain a deeper understanding about how their users are interacting with AppSheet. With the AppSheet Admin Console, you can view all the app users across any of your organization’s apps, review the most popular apps and creators, and more. Admins can also take actions like exporting a list of accounts, users, apps, and licenses for their organization or set the role of users in their organization. Eligible customers can access the AppSheet Admin Console using this direct link or clicking out from Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for AppSheet in the Workspace Admin Console. | The open beta for the AppSheet Admin Console is available now for AppSheet Enterprise customers and AppSheet Core entitled customers. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using the AppSheet Admin Console.

Google Workspace for Education users can now set and share personal pronouns and name pronunciation
Google Workspace for Education admins of K-12 and higher education institutions can now give their students the option to set their pronouns from their Google Account at aboutme.google.com. This option is OFF by default and can be enabled for all users or a subset of them (such as for a specific location or class). User-defined pronouns will appear in personal information cards displayed when hovering over or clicking someone’s profile photo across Workspace apps like Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Chat, and Drive. Pronouns will also appear in Google Contacts, accessed by clicking “Open detailed view” from the personal information cards. | Pronouns are rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | The ability to add name pronunciation will be available by the end of Q3, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace for Education customers. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about allowing Directory users to change their pronouns and changing pronouns in your Google Account settings.

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.
Automate your workflows on Google Chat with IFTTT and UKG Flow integrations 
Following the announcement at Google Cloud Next 2024, we’re excited to introduce Google Chat integrations with IFTTT and UKG Flow. | Learn more about Chat integrations with IFTTT and UKG Flow. 
Picture-in-picture in Google Meet will now open automatically when switching tabs
Picture-in-picture mode will now automatically trigger when you switch tabs during a meeting. | Learn more about picture-in-picture in Meet. 
Business Starter customers will soon have access to shared drives 
Business Starter will officially have access to shared drives starting mid-September. When shared drives are made available to Business Starter customers, all users will be able to create shared drives by default. If this default behavior is undesired, admins can update their settings before Business Starter users gain access to the feature starting on September 23, 2024. | Learn more about shared drives for Business Starter. 
Reply to emails in Gmail faster on Android devices 
You can now reply to emails directly from the bottom of the conversation, without opening a new screen, making it easier to reference the email you’re replying to. | Learn more about replying to emails on Android. 
Upload additional types of documents to Gemini (gemini.google.com) for insights and analysis 
Google Workspace users with a Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education or Education Premium license can now upload a variety of files from Google Drive or locally from your device into Gemini. | Learn more about document upload with Gemini. 
“Take notes for me” in Google Meet is now available 
“Take notes for me” is an AI-powered feature in Google Meet that automatically takes notes, allowing you to focus on discussion, collaboration, and presentation during your meetings. | Learn more about “Take notes for me” 
Google Meet provides consolidated email for all meeting artifacts 
Currently, Google Meet sends an email for each type of meeting artifact initiated in a meeting, including meeting recordings, meeting transcripts, Gemini notes with “take notes for me,” live streams and more. Going forward, you’ll receive one email consolidating these artifacts. | Learn more about Meet’s meeting artifacts
Customize Gemini (gemini.google.com) for your specific needs with Gems 
Gems are now available to Google Workspace customers with a Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, or Education Premium add-on. | Learn more about Gems.
Gmail Q&A: A new way of searching your inbox with Gemini on Android devices
Gmail Q&A feature is rolling out now on Android devices and coming soon to iOS. | Learn more about Gemini in Gmail.
Additional data protection in Gemini (gemini.google.com) when using a school account is now available
Earlier this year, we brought Gemini for Google Workspace to education communities with two new paid add-ons. At that time, we announced that educators and students 18 years and older who did not have a Gemini Education license would soon get added data protection when using Gemini (gemini.google.com) as an Additional Service with their school accounts. Beginning this week, that added data protection is now available — free of charge. | Learn more about data protection in Gemini. 

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).  

Gemini (gemini.google.com) now shows related content links in its responses

What’s changing 

Starting today, you can access additional information on topics directly in Gemini’s (gemini.google.com) responses to your prompts. Specifically, you’ll see links to related content in responses to fact-seeking prompts — you can click the arrow chips to dive deeper into the topic. If you have a Gemini for Workspace license and Google Workspace extensions in Gemini are enabled, Gemini will also now include inline links to relevant emails referenced in responses where the Gmail extension is used. 
Including this information offers another easy way to dig deeper into Gemini’s responses. You can also use Gemini’s double-check feature to verify responses by using Google Search to highlight which statements are corroborated or contradicted on the web.

Additional details

At this time, this feature is limited to English prompts only.This feature is available in most countries where Gemini (gemini.google.com) is available

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Gemini (gemini.google.com) on or off for your users and turning Google Workspace extensions on or off for your organization. End users: You’ll automatically see related content where applicable in Gemini’s responses. If you have a Gemini for Workspace license and your admin has enabled Google Workspace extensions, you may see related content from email for prompts that use the Gemini extension. Refer to the Gemini Apps FAQ for more detail.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on September 4, 2024.

Availability

Available to any Google Workspace users with access to gemini.google.com.Users with a Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium add-on license will see Gmail citations if Google Workspace extensions in Gemini are enabled by their admin.

Reply to emails in Gmail faster on Android devices

What’s changing 

We’re making it easier to respond to emails in the Gmail app on your Android device with a new quick reply experience. 
Previously, there were only options to Reply, Reply all or Forward a message when in the conversation view of an email on your Gmail app. Upon selecting one of those options, you’d be directed to a full screen compose view to send your reply. 
Starting today, you can reply to emails directly from the bottom of the conversation, without opening a new screen, making it easier to reference the email you’re replying to. We know this new option is best for quick, lightweight responses, so for longer, more formal responses, you can simply expand the text box to access more formatting options. 

Additional details 

This feature will be available on iOS devices later this year. 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users: Using the Gmail app on your Android device, open an email > click into the text box at the bottom > type your reply > tap the send icon. Clicking the “Expand to full screen” icon allows you to switch to the full screen compose view. Visit the Help Center to learn more about replying to messages in Gmail.

Rollout pace 

Workspace Customers: 
Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 26, 2024 
Users with personal Google accounts and Workspace Individual Subscribers: 
This feature is available now. 

Availability

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

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – September 20, 2024

3 New updates

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.

Ability to create announcement spaces using the Google Chat API is now generally available 
In June, we introduced the option to create announcement spaces using the Google Chat API through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program. We’re excited to announce Google Workspace developers can now use the Chat API to create announcement spaces, plus read and update the permission settings of a space. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release domains and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers. | Visit these Developer Docs for more information: PredefinedPermissionSettings and PermissionSettings fields.
Additional improvements to tables in Google Sheets 
Following our announcement of improvements to tables in Google Sheets, we’re adding even more enhancements to the experience. More specifically, you can now: 
1. Insert a blank table from the pre-built table sidebar 

2. Reference tables successfully via IMPORTRANGE. For example, if you had a table named Table1 with column header values of of Column 1, Column 2, Column 3, etc.: 
To import the table range, including header cells, you would input: =IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, “Table1[#ALL]”) To import only the footers of the table range, you would input: =IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, “Table1[“#TOTALS]”) To import the table range, excluding header cells, you would input: =IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, “Table1[“#DATA]”) To import the first two columns of the table range, including header cells, you would input: =IMPORTRANGE(spreadsheet_url, “Table1[[Column 1]:[Column 2],[#ALL]]”) 3. Use the following keyboard shortcuts to easily convert ranges to tables: 

Cmd+Opt+T for Mac Ctrl+Alt+T for Linux and Windows Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains for #1 is complete. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now for #2 and #3; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for September 26, 2024 for #3 and October 3, 2024 for #2. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using tables in Google Sheets.

Introducing Dual Screen on Meet
Following the recent announcement of an improved user experience for Google Meet on Android devices, we’re excited to introduce an additional feature, available on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold device, that provides you with a more immersive video call experience. Through the use of the front and inner cameras, you can now show both yourself and what you’re looking at at the same time. Additionally, the person you’re video chatting with can be seen on both the inner and outer screens to include everyone around you in the call. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; rolling out now to Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn how Dual Screen on Google Meet works.

Use both screens during a Meet call – rear screen view of foldable
Use both screens during a Meet call – front screen view of foldable

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.
Adding multi-monitor support to Google Slides

We’re making it easier to view your Google Slides presentation controls on your computer while presenting to an audience using a connected external monitor or projector. | Learn more about multi-monitor support in Slides. 
New beta available that restricts access to folders in Google Drive 
We’ve introduced a beta that allows shared drive managers to restrict folders to specific users within a shared drive. This provides shared drive managers with greater flexibility to keep relevant content within a single shared drive, while restricting access to shared folders with sensitive information. | Learn more about restricting folder access.
New design and accessibility improvements for embedded Google Calendars 
Starting this week, you’ll notice a refreshed look and feel for embedded calendars that is in line with Google Material Design 3 and now includes enhanced accessibility features, such as the ability to use an embedded calendar with a screen reader and keyboard shortcuts to navigate more easily, and more. | Learn more about embedded Google Calendars.
NotebookLM now available as an Additional Service 
Last year, we introduced an Early Access App called NotebookLM, an experimental product using some of Google’s most advanced models, like Gemini 1.5 Pro, that helps you gain critical insights grounded in the content of source documents you trust. We’re excited to announce that NotebookLM is officially available as an Additional Service. | Learn more about NotebookLM
Admin features for space management via the Chat API are now generally available 
Earlier this year, we introduced a series of space management capabilities for Workspace admins in the Google Chat API via the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program. These API features are now generally available for all Google Workspace customers and developers. | Learn more about space management via the Chat API. 
Create birthdays in Google Calendar 
To ensure a birthday is never missed, we’re introducing the ability to create and modify birthday events in Google Calendar on Android devices. | Learn more about birthdays in Calendar. 
Additional iOS data exfiltration enhancement: account level data sharing between Google Workspace apps and non-Google Workspace apps on or off 
Admins can now enable content sharing on personal Workspace accounts while preventing data sharing from corporate Workspace accounts on iOS devices. | Learn more about iOS data exfiltration enhancements.

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).  

Kickstart ideas, brainstorm activities, and differentiate content with the help of Gemini in Google Classroom

What’s changing

Earlier this year, we introduced the Gemini Education and Gemini Education Premium add-ons to give education customers ​​new and powerful ways of working, teaching and learning with Gemini for Google Workspace. We also piloted Gemini in Google Classroom with new lesson planning features that are informed by LearnLM, our new family of models fine-tuned for learning, based on Gemini and grounded in educational research. 
Today, we’re excited to officially introduce a new Gemini Education tab in Classroom that grants quick access to the following AI tools: 
Outline a lesson plan: Use a scaffolded experience to generate lesson plan ideas based on what you’d like students to be able to demonstrate Craft a compelling hook: Spark curiosity and engage your students with a compelling start for your class Generate a quiz: Generate a quiz and export to Forms based on target grade level, length, and the types of questions you want to include Re-level text: Generate a new version of your text based on target grade level We are working closely with schools and educators globally to develop additional helpful tools. If you’re interested in joining the pilot program, learn more here

Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 

Why it’s important 

Gemini in Google Classroom provides educators with a suite of generative AI tools that can generate new and unique content and make learning more personal and engaging for students. 

Additional details 

Gemini in Classroom is only available in English for education users over the age of 18. 

Getting started 

Admins: Learn more about available pricing and discounts for the Gemini Education add-ons or contact your existing Google Workspace for Education reseller or a Google for Education sales specialist. Note that Education customers who have already purchased Gemini Enterprise will have the choice to transition to either Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium. End users: If your admin has assigned you a Gemini Education license, navigate to the Gemini Education tab in the navigation bar in Google Classroom. When using generated content, you should always review the outputs as AI can make mistakes and refine the output so that it fits your context and local policies before assigning to students. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Gemini in Classroom and feel free to take this course to learn more about generative AI for Educators.

Rollout pace 

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 23, 2024 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons: 
Gemini Education and Education Premium 

Resources 

Preview and test upcoming features on Google Meet hardware devices

What’s changing 

Using the new “Feature preview” setting, specific Google Meet hardware devices can be configured to test upcoming features prior to general availability. This is especially beneficial for testing purposes, gathering user feedback, creating training materials, and raising awareness before the feature is released broadly to your users.
Menu > Devices > Google Meet hardware > Settings > Feature preview

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users 

Why you’d use it

Prior to the launch of the “Feature preview” setting, there was no way for admins to preview upcoming features before they roll out to hardware devices, which can be potentially confusing to end users when they see new features unexpectedly. Now, customers have the opportunity to preview changes in advance, which gives them time to inform and educate their users about upcoming changes, prepare their IT help desks, and more. Overall, this update aims to increase awareness and adoption of helpful meeting features while reducing the risk of end user confusion.

Getting started

Admins: The “Feature preview” setting is configured to “General availability” by default. When “Early preview” is selected, devices will receive new features when they are released to the “preview” stage. Visit the Help Center to learn more about trying features early on your devices. We recommend that 10% or less of your fleet adopts “Early preview” to try new experiences in conference rooms before they roll out to General availability.
End users: Depending on your organization’s configuration, you may be able to preview new features on select Google Meet hardware devices.

When enabled, the device screen displays a “Preview” banner indicating the device is currently in “Early preview” mode

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 30, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices

Resources

Customize your Google Docs with polished cover images

What’s changing 

We’re making it easy for you to personalize and differentiate documents with full-bleed cover images that extend from one edge of your document to the other. 
Whether you’re customizing a document for a customer with industry themes, personalizing an onboarding document for a new employee or building a virtual brochure for your company’s products, cover images help set the tone for a document by adding relevant visuals. 
You can add cover images from our curated gallery or upload your own image. To insert, you can either: 
Click the new “Cover image” chip at the top of your Doc (similar to the ones introduced last year). Go to Insert > Cover image > Upload from computer or Choose from stock images. Type “@” followed by Cover image > Upload from computer or Choose from stock images. 

Additional details 

Cover images can only be added to documents set to pageless mode, allowing the image to span the entire width of the document. To set up the more immersive experience of pageless mode, go to File > Page setup > Pageless or Format > Switch to Pageless format. 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about adding a cover image to your document.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 24, 2024 

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts 

Resources 

Introducing security advisor, a new set of tools and insights to help small businesses protect their organization against cyber attacks

What’s changing

The cyber threat landscape is evolving and there’s been an increase in the sophistication and volume of malicious threats. Small businesses frequently lack the time, resources, and expertise that larger organizations have to implement robust security measures. As a result, threat actors often perceive these organizations as easier targets.

To help small businesses, we’re introducing security advisor, a set of new insights and tools designed to enhance security for small businesses – including threat defense, account security, and data protection capabilities. Security advisor offers tailored security insights, actionable guidance in the admin console, and simplified data protection controls — all to help businesses keep their customer data safe.

With security advisor, applying security settings is easier than before and the recommended settings can be easily adopted and customized to meet the specific needs of each organization in just a few steps. This helps organizations elevate their security posture, helps their IT team be more efficient by simplifying admin work, and helps reduce the risk of misconfigured security settings with a guided, in-app experience in the Admin console.

In addition to security insights in the Admin console, the security advisor feature set includes the following:

Chrome Enhanced Safe BrowsingGmail Enhanced Safe BrowsingGmail Security SandboxData protectionApp access protection

Admin console > Security > Security advisor

Getting started

Admins: In the Admin console, navigate to Security > Security advisor. Visit the Help Center to learn more about security advisor and turning on recommended settings.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 24, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace Business Starter, Standard, and Plus

Resources