Google Workspace Updates: Google Calendar

FINRA Compliance for Google Workspace: Google Drive and Calendar Updates

Monday, June 30, 2025

What’s changing Today, we announced Google Workspace support for FINRA compliance, continuing our commitment to meet the unique needs of heavily regulated industry. This includes the preservation of records in a non-rewritable, non-erasable (WORM) format, including support for SEC Rule 17a-4, SEC Rule 18a-6, and CFTC §1.31.
We’re pleased to announce FINRA-compliant solutions for Google Drive and Calendar (complementing our existing FINRA-compliant features for Gmail, Chat, and Meet) that address the critical supervisory, documentation, and surveillance requirements that underpin financial regulations:
For Google Drive, super admins can now use Google Workspace’s Data Export tool and AODocs to create a FINRA-compliant archive of their Google Drive data in a Google Cloud Storage (GCS) bucket. This data can be from specific organizational units (OUs), groups, or users, and filtered by Drive labels.

When you’re using the Data Export tool, select “FINRA” as your export type

Calendar

On the monitored user’s calendar: all events and their updates, including events modified by another user with the appropriate access to the monitored user's calendar
On other calendars that the monitored user can make changes to: all actions performed by the monitored user

When these actions are performed, an email is sent to the journaling address specified by the admin with the event data, user who performed the action, and time stamp. providing access via SMTP for a third-party service provider to archive and produce the records on demand.

Third-party archiving can be enabled in the Admin console by going to Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Calendar > Third-party Archiving Settings

Who’s impacted Admins
Why it’s important These updates are critical for Google Workspace customers operating in the financial services industry on a global scale. For Calendar, archival journaling functionality supports compliance news by ensuring electronic communications are captured and preserved, meeting essential record-keeping standards. For Drive, admins can manage and securely store critical documents at scale. These solutions add to our existing FINRA-compliant features for Gmail, Chat, and Meet (when certain settings are enabled and disabled), providing global communication solutions and cutting edge productivity tools that meet the regulatory needs of customers in the financial services sector.
Additionally, we are proud to announce partnerships with several industry-leading Digital Communications Governance and Archiving (DCGA) vendors: AODocs, Mimecast, Smarsh, and Global Relay. These partners provide vital connectors for our customers, ensuring the compliant flow of Google Workspace data into their trusted archiving solutions. For more information on these partnerships and FINRA compliance for Google Workspace, visit the Workspace blog.
Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to read more our Workspace FINRA configuration guide, and to learn more about integrating Calendar with a third-party archiving solution, and setting up a FINRA compliant data export.
End users: There is no end user action required.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 30, 2025

Availability

Available for Google Workspace Enterprise Plus customers with Assured Controls and Assured Controls Plus

Resources

Configure Calendar interoperability with Microsoft Office 365 using the Microsoft Graph API

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

What’s changing Beginning today, Admins can use the Microsoft Graph API to enable Calendar interoperability with Microsoft Office 365. The Graph API will replace the existing Exchange Web Services (EWS) API, which will no longer be supported by Microsoft beginning October 1, 2026 – we recommend that admins update their interop configuration to Graph API as soon as possible.
Admins can configure interoperability via the Graph API in the Admin console by going to Apps > Google Workspace > Calendar > Calendar Interop Management > Exchange availability in Calendar > Allow Google Calendar to display Exchange user availability. The user interface has also been streamlined and admins can easily select an endpoint from a drop down list, and enter other details like the specific Microsoft domain that should be connected to Calendar, and specify role accounts for user availability and resource booking.

Quickly select your endpoint type from the new drop down list

Enter additional details, like the Microsoft domain you want to connect to and role accounts.

We’ve also made additional updates to improve the overall admin experience, including additional user interface updates and troubleshooting — keep reading for more information.

Who’s impacted

Admins

Why it’s important

These updates will ensure calendar interoperability continues after support for EWS ends and improve the overall experience for configuring and managing interoperability for admins. Additionally, the Graph API allows admins to grant access to Exchange calendar data only, ensuring access isn’t too broadly scoped.

Additional details

Also included in this update are the following improvements:
Admins can use the same role accounts for user availability and resource booking when configuring their Graph API interop setup.
We’re making it easier for admins to troubleshoot errors encountered while setting up interoperability. Admins can now see detailed information each step of the way which will help them work through potential issues in the setup configuration.
The overall Admin user interface has been streamlined as well. Admins can define which domains are supported by which endpoint, and this information is neatly listed in a table. This makes it easily scannable and actionable, and helps avoid unnecessary queries trying to get the availability of users who are not part of a domain covered by the interop setup.

Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Calendar > Calendar Interop management

If admins select EWS, or have existing endpoints set up using EWS, they will see a reminder banner that EWS will no longer be supported by Microsoft and to use the Graph API instead.

Getting started

Admins: As the Exchange Web Services endpoint type will no longer be supported beginning October 1, 2026, we recommend updating your interop configuration to Graph API as soon as possible. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Calendar interoperability, and specifically allowing Calendar users to see Exchange availability.
End users: There is no end user action required.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 28, 2025

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus
Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus
Frontline Standard and Plus
Nonprofits

Resources

Ask Gemini in Gmail on mobile to perform Google Calendar related actions

Monday, May 19, 2025

What’s changingWe've recently introduced new web features that bring Gemini into Gmail to perform calendar related actions, such as adding an event to your calendar directly from your inbox. Today, we're excited to announce that we're bringing similar capabilities to Android and iOS devices. You can now:

Ask Gemini to create, delete or edit an event on your calendar. Tapping the pencil icon on the created event lets you easily update the event information. If you click on the event directly, it will open the event view in the Calendar app.
Ask Gemini about your daily schedule.

Who’s impacted

End users
Why you’d use itThis update expands access to Calendar features using Gemini in Gmail to mobile devices, making it easier to create or interact with events on your calendar, regardless of your device.
Getting started

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 19, 2025

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Business Starter, Standard and Plus
Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus
Google One AI Premium
Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on

Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature:

Gemini Business*
Gemini Enterprise*

*As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.

Resources

Google Workspace apps for Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Calendar, Keep, and Tasks are now generally available for the Gemini app

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

What’s changingEarlier this year, we launched Google Workspace apps (formerly known as "extensions") in Gemini in open beta. When enabled, Gemini can reference and incorporate data from these apps to generate even more informed and relevant responses, bringing Gemini’s capabilities more seamlessly into your daily workflows, helping enhance productivity. Workspace apps are available for:

Calendar

Docs

Drive

Gmail

Keep

Tasks

Beginning today, we’re pleased to announce that extensions for these apps are now generally available.Who’s impactedAdmins and end usersWhy you’d use themWhen enabled, Gemini can interact with other Google apps and services to provide more contextual and relevant responses to your prompts and take certain actions across apps. For example, you can:

Gmail: ask what dates were proposed in the email about the team offsite.

Drive: find the document about the website clean-up project and summarize the proposal in a few bullet points.

Docs: reference a Doc that outlines your target audiences while performing customer research in parallel.

Calendar: create an event based on specific details or based on the conversation with the Gemini app, find events for a specific day or date range, modify events in Calendar.

Tasks: add reminders and tasks, including those based on your conversations with Gemini, or view and update a list of your tasks.

Keep: create notes and lists, add items to an existing list, find content from your notes and lists, and reference your notes and lists in conversion with Gemini.

Additional details

Context aware access support:

Like all Google apps, context-access aware policies can be applied to the Gemini app. Note that at the moment, CAA policies can only be applied to Gemini on the web, they cannot be applied on mobile.
If these policies are not met, users will not be allowed to access Gemini.
If a user meets the Gemini app specific CAA policies, they can interact with Gemini. If a prompt requires access to Workspace data, CAA policies will determine if a user has access to the requested data. For example, if a user asks Gemini "What are my unread emails?", they will see the requested content if they have access or they’ll receive an error message.

If your prompt includes multiple actions that require separate apps or services, but one or more of the required services are not enabled, neither of the actions will be completed. For example, if you prompt Gemini to create an event on your calendar and a reminder for that event but the Tasks extension is not enabled, the event will not be added to your calendar and you will not get a reminder.
Google Workspace extensions are not available to Google Workspace users accessing Gemini as an additional Google service.
Google Workspace extensions are only available to users 13+.
All prompts, responses, or content the Gemini app gets via apps (fka extensions), is not reviewed by anyone to improve AI models, not used to train AI models, and not shared with other users or institutions.
Note that Google Workspace Education Fundamentals users do not have access to Drive or Docs in the Gemini app. They can access Gmail, Calendar, Keep, and Tasks.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 13, 2025

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Business Starter, Standard, Plus
Enterprise Starter, Standard, Plus
Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus
Frontline Starter and Standard
Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus
Nonprofits

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business*
Gemini Enterprise*
Gemini Education
Gemini Education Premium

*As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.

Availability

Google Workspace Admin Help: Turn Workspace extensions in Gemini on or off 

Google Workspace Admin Help: Turn Gemini on or off as a core service

Google Workspace Admin Help: Generative AI in Google Workspace Privacy Hub

Google Help: Use extensions in Gemini with a work or school Google Account

Google Workspace Updates Blog: Google Workspace extensions for Gmail, Google Drive and Google Docs are now available in open beta for Gemini

Google Workspace Updates Blog: Expanding Google Workspace extensions available in open beta for the Gemini app

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - April 25, 2025

Friday, April 25, 2025

5 New updatesUnless 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.

New look for the Gmail mobile app on iOS devices

Starting this week, you’ll notice a refreshed look and feel for the Gmail mobile app on iOS devices that is in line with Google Material Design 3. This matches the experience on web and Android devices. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about the Gmail app.

Introducing easier editing for objects and audio tracks in Google Vids

Following the recently introduced looping animations feature in Google Vids, we’re excited to announce an additional update that improves the editing experience in Vids. Users can now control the height of the timeline, which helps a user easily view more objects when working on timing for individual scenes. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to Business Standard and Plus; Enterprise Standard and Plus; Essentials, Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus; Education Plus; customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on, and anyone who previously purchased a Gemini Business or Gemini Enterprise add-on. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about controlling audio timing & transitions with audio tracks.

Create birthdays in Google Calendar using iOS devices

Last year, we introduced the ability to create and modify birthday events in Google Calendar on Android devices. This week, we’re excited to announce these capabilities are now available on iOS devices as well. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing birthdays on your calendar.

Generate and use images with Gemini in the side panel of Gmail on Android and iOS devices

Building upon the ability to generate images using Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps on web, we’re excited to announce you can now generate images in Gmail on your mobile device. Once you select the image, you can then save it, copy it, or insert it into a compose draft. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains on Android and iOS devices. | Available to Business Starter, Standard and Plus; Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus; Google One AI Premium; customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on, and anyone who previously purchased a Gemini Business or Gemini Enterprise add-on. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about Gemini in Gmail.

Introducing draggable dividers on large screen Android devices

When using the Gmail or Google Chat app on your large screen Android device, such as a tablet or foldable, you can now drag the divider that divides the list view and conversation view in the existing two pane layout. Draggable dividers enable you to pick between a one pane or two pane experience and allow you to control the width of each pane when in two pane mode. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.

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 new capabilities to student groups in Google Classroom

We’ve introduced improvements to student groups that enable teachers to email groups, sort by groups when grading on the Student work page and edit student groups when creating an assignment. | Learn more about student groups in Classroom.

Introducing even more high-quality Google Slides templates to elevate your presentations

We’ve introduced a second wave of templates that cater to a wide range of use cases such as business proposals, product pitches, marketing plans, quarterly reviews, team intros or celebrations, and more. | Learn more about templates in Slides.

Data classifications labels for Gmail are now generally available

Data classification labels are generally available, giving admins yet another way to enhance their security posture. | Learn more about Data classifications labels.

Introducing Frontline Plus: Enhanced Security and AI features for Frontline Workers

We’re expanding Google Workspace Frontline to include a new edition: Frontline Plus. | Learn more about Frontline Plus.

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.

Scheduled Release Domains:

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains:

Rollout updates

We have changed the rollout timelines for this feature. Please refer to the original blog post for complete details.

Updates for configuring your preferred language for “Take notes for me”, recorded captions, and meeting transcripts

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

Reference your Google Calendar using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail in additional languages

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

What’s changingLast year, we added Google Calendar to the list of apps that Gemini in Gmail connects with. As a result, users can ask Gemini in Gmail to perform select calendar related actions or answer questions about their calendars such as:

When is my [first event] next week?
Create a [30 min] calendar event for my weekly [yoga class] every [Monday and Wednesday] at [9 AM].
Create a [1h] event for [lunch] [tomorrow] at [noon].

Today, we’re excited to announce this feature is available in more than 20 additional languages:

Arabic
Catalan
Chinese
Czech
Danish
Dutch
Finnish
French
German
Greek
Hebrew
Hungarian
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Malay
Norwegian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
Vietnamese

Check out our original announcements for using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail to reference your Google Calendar for even more information.

Why you’d use it Gemini in Gmail can help you:

Create calendar events.
Learn additional details about the existing events in your Calendar.

Additional details

At this time, Gemini in Gmail cannot:

Add or remove guests from events.
Pull up attachments or RSVPs related to a meeting.
Find the best time to meet with other people or find time slots when you’re available to meet.
Create tasks, an out of office, focus times or set working locations.
Add or manage meeting rooms.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now.

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:
Business Starter, Standard and Plus
Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus
Google One AI Premium
Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on
Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature:
Gemini Business*
Gemini Enterprise*
*As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.

Resources

Quickly add events to Google Calendar based on your emails with Gemini in Gmail

Monday, March 10, 2025

What’s changingIn addition to asking Gemini in Gmail to perform calendar related actions or answer questions about your calendar, you can now add an event to your calendar directly from an email.
With this update, Gemini will automatically detect calendar related content in your email and an “Add to calendar” button will appear. Upon clicking this option, the side panel in Gmail will open to confirm the event has been added to your calendar.

Getting started

Admins: To access Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps, users need to have smart features and personalization turned on. Admins can turn on default personalization setting for their users in the Admin console.
End users:

This feature is only available in English and on web at this time.
The "Add to calendar" button will not appear for emails with already extracted events (like restaurants, flights, etc.).
A calendar event created via the “Add to calendar” button will not include other guests.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Gmail.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 10, with expected completion by mid April 2025.

Availability Available for Google Workspace:

Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus
Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on
Google One AI Premium

Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature:

Gemini Business*
Gemini Enterprise*

*As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.
Resources

Google Help: Collaborate with Gemini in Gmail

Improving Google Calendar's interoperability with Microsoft Outlook

Monday, March 3, 2025

What’s changingWe recently announced an improved syncing experience from Google Calendar to third-party calendars, like Microsoft Outlook, that allows event guests to enjoy a more reliable syncing experience with less calendar emails in their inbox.

Building upon this, we’re excited to announce that Calendar now reliably processes calendaring emails sent using the Microsoft-specific format for rich text emails called Transport Neutral Encapsulation Format (TNEF). As a result, Calendar users and organizations that routinely collaborate with internal and external Outlook users will now benefit from a more reliable experience when receiving invitations and RSVPs from Outlook users.

Getting started

Admins and end users: There is no admin controls or end user setting for this feature.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now.

Availability

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

Resources

Know who an event is shared with when using shared Google Calendars

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

What’s changing Users can have one of the following access permissions for shared Google Calendars:

“See only free/busy (hide details)”
“See all event details”
“Make changes to events”
“Make changes and manage sharing”

The “Make changes to events” permission enables users to create events on shared calendars, but when those events are created, the user does not know which other users the event is shared with.
To improve upon experience and ensure users are aware of who they are sharing content with, users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with.

users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 4, 2025

Availability

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

Resources

Now generally available: improved syncing experience between Google Calendar and third-party calendars

Monday, February 3, 2025

What’s changingIn June of 2024, we introduced an improved email notification experience between Google Calendar and third-party calendar services, like Outlook, via beta. Beginning today, this update is now generally available.
Specifically, this update addresses feedback we’ve heard from our customers regarding the syncing experience from Google Calendar to third-party calendars. Event guests will now enjoy a more reliable syncing experience and less calendar emails in their inbox.

Google Calendar will send additional filterable emails to improve event sync accuracy when users make updates to recurring events.
Email notifications purely intended to sync information will be easily filterable by the recipients. They will display a banner in the email body with instructions on how to create inbox filters to hide similar emails, which can help to minimize clutter in recipients’ inbox.
At scale, Outlook system administrators can use Microsoft’s Powershell to implement an email filter rule for these messages for all users.

Additional details

With this release, we have also updated a user invisible email header, Envelope-Sender address (also called Return-Path or bounce) to improve reliability of DMARC alignment when delivering to third-party recipients.

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about how to filter Google Calendar email notifications.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing Google Calendar invites in other calendar services.

Rollout pace

Availability

Available for all Google Workspace customers

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - January 24, 2025

Friday, January 24, 2025

1 New updateUnless 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.

Improving event summary cards in the Gmail mobile app Following last year's announcement of purchase summary cards, we're excited to introduce updates to the summary cards for Google Calendar events that make it easier for you to find relevant event information directly in Gmail. Now, when you receive an event related email, such as a restaurant reservation or dentist appointment, an updated card will show above the email content. This card summarizes the most up to date event information from the email and lets you quickly complete event actions, such as adding the event to your Calendar, getting directions to the location, or calling the venue. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using summary cards in Gmail.

event summary cards in the Gmail mobile app

Previous announcements

There are no previous announcements to share this week. For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).

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.

Scheduled Release Domains:

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains:

Assign Calendar resources to organizational units

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

What’s changingAdmins can now assign Calendar resources, such as rooms, projectors, or company cars, to specific organizational units. Upon doing so, the resource will be governed by the policies and settings of the assigned organizational unit (OU), including data location policies.

Getting started

Admins:

By default, resource calendars are associated with the root organization – no changes are made until the admin re-assigns resources to another OU.
This feature requires the admin privilege to read organizational units.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about configuring organizational units for Calendar resources.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility starting on December 4, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace Enterprise Plus and Assured Controls customers

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - November 22, 2024

Friday, November 22, 2024

2 New updatesUnless 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.
Find files more easily with the Drive Android file pickerIn 2023, we introduced a streamlined file organization with the new Google Drive location picker on web. Now, we’re rolling out similar improvements to the Drive app on Android devices. This update will make it easier to find recently viewed Drive items and clearly see what other storage locations besides "My Drive" are available to you, such as items you have access to within shared drives. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for December 2, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about how to use Google Drive.

View tasks lists on the Google Calendar Android app Last year, we introduced full screen tasks lists for Google Calendar on web, enabling users to see all their tasks and task lists in a single full screen view. This week, we’re excited to announce that this same functionality is now available on Android devices. This update makes it easier for users to stay on top of and organize their tasks, especially while on-the-go. | Rolling out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains now. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about Google Tasks.

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.

Easily respond to comments and access requests without leaving Google Chat with the auto-installed Google Drive Chat app

Starting this week, the previously introduced Google Drive Chat app will be automatically installed and send you notifications about recent activity in Google Drive documents, such as new comments and share requests. | Learn more about the auto-installed Google Drive Chat app.

Table reference improvements in Google Sheets

This week, we introduced updates to table references that enhance discoverability and usability. | Learn more about table references in Sheets.

Educators can now request access to third-party apps for their students

We’ve introduced a new workflow that allows educators to request access to unconfigured third-party apps on behalf of their students. | Learn more about requesting access to third-party apps for students.

Automatic framing is now available to everyone in Google Meet video calls, plus an improved experience when using virtual backgrounds

We’re expanding automatic framing to all users, as well as introducing an improved experience while using a virtual background. | Learn more about automatic framing in Meet.

Add multiple multimedia files to a single message in Google Chat

Users can now upload and send up to 20 multimedia files (photos and videos) in one Chat message. | Learn more about sending multimedia files in Chat.

More ways to get started quickly with building blocks in Google Docs

This week, we introduced a new collection of building blocks designed to help you manage important business workflows in Docs, including team task management, project tracking, hiring, and more. | Learn more about new building blocks in Google Docs.

New file picker method for pre-selecting Google Drive files coming soon

Today, Google Drive developers rely on the drive.file scope and the Google Picker API to optimize user experience and safety when creating their applications. To make it faster and easier for users to provide applications access to specific Drive files, the Google Picker API will introduce a new method to the Class view called setFileIds(fileIds) in January 2025. | Learn more about the new file picker method for pre-selecting Google Drive files.

Easily find and navigate your Google Chat conversations by organizing them into custom sections

As we continue to enhance the user experience in Google Chat over the last year, we’re excited to announce that users can now organize Chat conversations into custom sections. | Learn more about custom sections in Chat.

New Asus hardware kits for Google Meet

Asus is launching new hardware room kits certified for Google Meet that now offer daisy chain capabilities. Developed with AVer, this refreshed room kit portfolio will work in video conferencing rooms and spaces of just about any size. | Learn more about Asus hardware kits for Google Meet.

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:

Automatic framing is now available to everyone in Google Meet video calls, plus an improved experience when using virtual backgrounds

Scheduled Release Domains:

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains:

Preview summaries of unread conversations in the Google Chat home view with the help of Gemini (Web, Android and iOS)
The Gemini app is now a core service with enterprise-grade data protection for more Google Workspace editions
Data classifications labels for Gmail are now available in open beta
Reducing noise from unfollowed threads in Google Chat (Web, Android and iOS)
Now generally available: use Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps in seven additional languages

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

Reference your Google Calendar using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

What’s changing Since its introduction earlier this year, Gemini in the side panel of Gmail has helped many users generate, find and respond to information in their inbox. In addition, Gemini in Gmail has the ability to connect with other Workspace apps like Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drive, helping users complete tasks without ever leaving Gmail.

Today, we’re excited to add Google Calendar to the list of apps that Gemini in Gmail connects with. Users can now ask Gemini in Gmail to perform calendar related actions or answer questions about their calendars such as:

When is my [first event] next week?
Create a [30 min] calendar event for my weekly [yoga class] every [Monday and Wednesday] at [9 AM].
Create a [1h] event for [lunch] [tomorrow] at [noon].

Using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail to ask Calendar to set up a personal yoga event

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use it Via Gmail, Gemini can now help you:

Create calendar events.
Learn additional details about the existing events in your Calendar.

Additional detailsAt this time, Gemini in Gmail cannot:

Add or remove guests from events or create events by extracting information from an email.
Pull up attachments or RSVPs related to a meeting.
Find the best time to meet with other people or find time slots when you’re available to meet.
Create tasks, an out of office, focus times or set working locations.
Add or manage meeting rooms.

When these features do become available, we will provide an update via the Workspace Updates Blog.

Getting started

Admins: To access Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps, users need to have smart features and personalization turned on. Admins can turn on default personalization setting for their users in the Admin console.
End users:

On web, you can access Gemini in the Gmail side panel by clicking on “Ask Gemini” icon in the top right corner of Gmail.
This feature is only available in English at this time.
While not required, just like gemini.google.com, you can invoke Calendar by adding "@Calendar" at the beginning of your prompt in the side panel of Gmail to explicitly call on Calendar.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Gmail.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 13, 2024, with expected completion by December 6, 2024

Availability Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business
Gemini Enterprise
Gemini Education
Gemini Education Premium
Google One AI Premium

Resources

Google Help: Collaborate with Gemini in Gmail

Introducing a new look and feel for Google Calendar on the web

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

What’s changingStarting today, you’ll notice a refreshed user interface in Google Calendar that is in line with Google Material Design 3 and includes:

Controls (like buttons, dialogs, and sidebars) that are more modern and accessible
Interface typography that uses Google’s custom-designed and highly-legible typefaces
Iconography that is legible and crisp, with a fresh feel

We’re also introducing the ability to toggle between light mode, dark mode or device default theme options. This will provide you with a more comfortable, customizable viewing experience and can also reduce battery usage.

Calendar on web in light mode

Calendar on web in dark mode

Additional detailsThese updates are applicable across the entire calendar web experience, including the task list view. When using the tasks.google.com URL, you will be redirected to the refreshed user interface and have the ability to choose between light or dark mode.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

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

Resources

Expanding Google Workspace extensions available in open beta for the Gemini app

Monday, October 21, 2024

What’s changingEarlier this year, we launched Google Workspace extensions for Gmail, Google Drive and Google Docs in open beta for the Gemini app. Beginning today, we’re pleased to announce that Google Calendar, Google Keep and Google Tasks are also available as Workspace extensions in the Gemini app.Who’s impactedAdmins and end usersWhy you’d use itExtensions allow the Gemini app to interact with other Google apps and services, helping to provide more contextual and relevant responses to your prompts and take certain actions across apps. For example, you can use extensions to:

Calendar

Create an event in Google Calendar based on specific details or based on your conversation with the Gemini app
Find events for a specific day, date range, or based on event details
Edit or cancel events in Calendar

Tasks

Add reminders and tasks, including those based on your conversation with the Gemini app
View a list of your tasks and update your tasks

Keep

Create notes and lists, including those based on your conversation with the Gemini app
Add an item to your existing list
Find content from your notes and lists
Reference your notes and lists in your conversation with the Gemini app

Additional details

If your prompt includes multiple actions that require separate apps or services, but one or more of the required services are not enabled, neither of the actions will be completed. For example, if you prompt Gemini to create an event on your calendar and a reminder for that event but the Tasks extension is not enabled, the event will not be added to your calendar and you will not get a reminder.
As a reminder, during the open beta period, Context-Aware Access (CAA) for Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar, Keep and Tasks isn’t supported with Google Workspace extensions. Context-Aware Access gives you control over which apps a user can access based on their context, such as whether their device complies with your IT policy. Learn more about Context-Aware Access.
Google Workspace extensions is not available to Google Workspace users accessing Gemini as an additional Google service.
Note that Google Workspace personal content the Gemini app gets from extensions is not reviewed by anyone to improve AI models, not used to train AI models, and not shared with other users or institutions.

Getting started

Admins:

Google Workspace extensions in Gemini are OFF by default and can be enabled at the OU or Group level.

If Google Workspace extensions are already enabled, then the Workspace extensions for Calendar, Keep and Tasks will show up automatically for your users.

Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Google Workspace extensions on or off for your organization.

End users: If enabled by your admin, connecting Google Workspace allows users to summarize, get quick answers, and find information from Calendar, Keep and Tasks in addition to Gmail, Docs, and Drive directly in Gemini. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google Workspace extensions.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 21, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business
Gemini Enterprise
Gemini Education
Gemini Education Premium

Resources

Useful Links

Join the official community for Google Workspace administrators

In the Google Cloud Community, connect with Googlers and other Google Workspace admins like yourself. Participate in product discussions, check out the Community Articles, and learn tips and tricks that will make your work and life easier. Be the first to know what's happening with Google Workspace.

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Learn about more Google Workspace launches

On the “What’s new in Google Workspace?” Help Center page, learn about new products and features launching in Google Workspace, including smaller changes that haven’t been announced on the Google Workspace Updates blog.

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Updates

FINRA Compliance for Google Workspace: Google Drive and Calendar Updates

Configure Calendar interoperability with Microsoft Office 365 using the Microsoft Graph API

Ask Gemini in Gmail on mobile to perform Google Calendar related actions

Google Workspace apps for Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Calendar, Keep, and Tasks are now generally available for the Gemini app

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - April 25, 2025

Reference your Google Calendar using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail in additional languages

Quickly add events to Google Calendar based on your emails with Gemini in Gmail

Improving Google Calendar's interoperability with Microsoft Outlook

Know who an event is shared with when using shared Google Calendars

Now generally available: improved syncing experience between Google Calendar and third-party calendars

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - January 24, 2025

Assign Calendar resources to organizational units

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - November 22, 2024

Reference your Google Calendar using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail

Introducing a new look and feel for Google Calendar on the web

Expanding Google Workspace extensions available in open beta for the Gemini app

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Useful Links

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