Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - February 21, 2025
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.
Improved experience for highlighting and annotating images for AppSheet apps on Android
We're pleased to introduce a new experience for marking up images within AppSheet apps on Android devices. Now, your users can add precise highlights and markings to images, making visual communication clearer and more effective:
- Add geometric shapes: Draw rectangles, ellipses, and arrows to highlight key areas
- Include text: Add labels and descriptions directly onto the image
- Move and edit: Reposition shapes and text annotations with ease
- Zoom: Zoom in and out before and after adding drawings for added precision
This update makes it easier for users to direct attention to specific details, which is especially helpful when you need to require proof, like submitting an incident report, or submit documentation, like inventory checks. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to AppSheet Free, AppSheet Core and AppSheet Enterprise Plus. Google Workspace editions that include AppSheet Core can be viewed here. | Visit the AppSheet community to learn more about this feature and check out the Help Center to get instructions for allowing users to draw on images.
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.
Workspace data loss protection (DLP) for Gmail is now generally available
A big threat organizations must prepare for is the risk of data exfiltration through unwanted and/or unauthorized means. Whether it’s small-scale, unintended sharing, or a larger breach scenario, organizations need powerful defenses to protect themselves from these risks. To that end, we’re pleased to announce that today Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is generally available in Gmail, alongside Drive and Chat. | Learn more about DLP for Gmail.
“Take notes for me” in Google Meet now captures “next steps”
We’re pleased to announce that “take notes for me” will capture next steps discussed during the meeting in a new “suggested next steps” section. | Learn more about “next steps”.
Scroll through live captions and translated captions in Google Meet
We’re improving the live captions and translated captions experience in Google Meet by including the ability to scroll through the text. | Learn more about live captions and translated captions in Google Meet.
Updating the access experience in Google Drive
Last year, we introduced a beta that allows shared drive managers and My Drive owners to restrict folders to specific users. Today, we’re excited to announce the general availability of this feature in shared drives and My Drive, which means that users can restrict access to their My Drive folders using the two options outlined below, and by 2026, we will simplify and align the restricted access principles for My Drive and shared drives. | Learn more about access in Drive.
Expanding data regions coverage to Google Classroom
We previously added data regions coverage to Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides, and this week, we’re extending data region coverage to primary user data for Google Classroom for the U.S. and E.U. data regions. | Learn more about data regions coverage in Google Classroom.
Use Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps in seventeen more languages
Gemini in the side panel of Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, and Gmail can be used in seventeen additional languages | Learn more about language availability.
Updated design for Google Meet meeting controls on Android and iOS
We are updating the location of some Google Meet meeting controls on Android and iOS devices, which are intended to organize features in a more intuitive way. | Learn more about meeting controls on mobile.
Migrate data from Microsoft Teams channels to Google Chat spaces using CloudM
Building on last year’s announcement of the general availability for Chat APIs to import data from messaging platforms to Google Chat, we’re excited to introduce a new migration solution from a Workspace partner, CloudM. | Learn more about migrating data to Chat.
The Policy API is now generally available with support for auditing more security features
We recently introduced the Policy API in open beta, letting super admins programmatically access information regarding how their Google Workspace environment service level settings and rules are configured. Beginning today, the Policy API is now generally available with more functionality. | Learn more about the Policy API.
“Take notes for me” in Google Meet now captures citations to transcripts
Recently, we announced that next steps will automatically be captured when using “take notes for me” in Google Meet. Building upon that momentum, your meeting notes document will now include citations, or timestamps, which correlate to the exact point in the meeting transcript that references the summarized notes. | Learn more about Meet citations to transcripts.
Gemini Deep Research and most experimental models now available to Google Workspace users in Gemini Advanced
We’re pleased to announce the launch of Deep Research and most experimental models to Google Workspace users with access to Gemini Advanced. | Learn more about Deep Research.
New Chat Usage Analytics Updates for Admins and Developers
Starting today, customerUsageReports.get and userUsageReports.get for Google Chat are available via the Admin SDK Reports API for customers to use in their own customized dashboards and reporting tools. This gives admins more ways to analyze Chat usage data. | Learn more about Chat Usage Analytics updates.
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:
- Better understand app access with the new Access Evaluation log event
- 2.0 Flash is now the default model in the Gemini app for Workspace users
- Managing bills & finances using summary cards in the Gmail mobile app
- Now generally available: migrate messages from Microsoft Teams to Google Chat
- Expanding data regions coverage to Google Classroom
- Migrate data from Microsoft Teams channels to Google Chat spaces using CloudM
- The Policy API is now generally available with support for auditing more security features
- Generate charts and valuable insights using Gemini in Google Sheets
- New Chat Usage Analytics Updates for Admins and Developers
- Gemini Deep Research and most experimental models now available to Google Workspace users in Gemini Advanced
For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).