Here are the Newest Google announcements and features that directly affect our Workspace for Education Google accounts at George Fox. When you see the latest buzz about what Google is doing, it isn't always available for our Education accounts and that's because Google markets different features for different types of accounts between Personal Gmail/Google One accounts, Business Enterprise accounts, and Workspace for Education accounts, which has the highest degree of privacy and data protection. Privacy and Your Data
Questions? Contact us at servicedesk@georgefox.edu.
An Eye on AI - What’s New
Google’s latest updates turn Gemini from a single-tab chatbot into a research partner and interactive workspace.
11/02/2026
Google Boost Bites: Learn to use AI in your daily work with quick 10-minute self-paced interactive lessons designed for busy professionals and educators. Explore Google Boost Bites.
NEW - Student Hub in Gemini: Access all of your essential academic resources and educational utilities gathered conveniently within a single central location on the Gemini web page to streamline student organization and study efficiency. Read Details Here
Gems are being upgraded to “Skills” - Here’s what you need to know:
You can currently see and use Skills on your Gemini web page and if you have an AI Pro license, on the Workspace Studio page.
Learn how to author, configure, and maximize productivity with Google’s guide Knowledgeable with “Skills”
Any Gems not transitioned to Skills by June 2027 will be automatically converted by Google! Transition FAQ’s
Gemini 4 is coming soon! - Pro licenses will see Gemini 4 before regular licenses. Why the delay? Education environments have serious obligations for privacy and data protection. As AI capabilities improve, so must AI safeguards improve to maintain the privacy and data protections we depend upon. Google takes additional time to ensure new Gemini safeguards are working properly before education users receive the latest versions. Privacy and Your Data
Questions? Contact us at servicedesk@georgefox.edu.
10/30/2026
We’re introducing a library of immersive explorations in the Gemini app, giving users an interactive, visual way to explore topics layer-by-layer, from microscopic systems to deep space. Users can access this library in the Gemini student hub by clicking on “Try immersive explorations” and will soon be able to access these immersive explorations directly in a chat conversation with Gemini. | Learn more.
We’re introducing new ways to create and refine files and code in the Gemini app. You can now generate, preview, and edit files right within your Gemini app chat—expand to full screen to type edits directly, highlight text to ask questions, or have Gemini refine them. | Learn more.
You can now use Gemini in Google Slides to edit multiple slides or an entire presentation at once. With a single prompt in the Slides side panel, you can update content throughout a deck, refresh visual styles in bulk, or match the style of another presentation. | Learn more.
Google Sheets now supports compact form layout for pivot tables, which keeps multi-level pivot tables readable while reducing excessive horizontal scrolling. | Learn more.
We are making it easier to verify your AI-generated data and scale your workflows in Google Sheets. When you use the AI function to generate cell values, Gemini will now provide the exact web sources referenced directly within each individual cell. | Learn more.
10/16/2026
Gemini 4 Argon: Worth the wait! Now rolling out across the many places you use Gemini - starting with Gemini Pro licenses - Google’s newest model leaps forward in science and math reasoning and can read and write several full-length books in a single prompt! Ranked #1 on the Vals Index for real-world finance, legal, tax, and coding work, Argon already helped Google's Chrome team modernize 6 million lines of aging browser code—finishing months of restructuring in weeks. Read Google’s Announcement
Interactive "Mini-Apps" in Google Sheets (Sheets Canvas): Use simple prompts in the Gemini side panel (Insert > Create a canvas) to turn flat spreadsheets into custom, interactive mini-apps—no coding or formulas needed! Transform raw rows into a drag-and-drop Kanban board, study tracker, or department dashboard that updates your sheet in real time. Requires Gemini Pro license. Learn more from Google's Announcement.
Cross-App Task Orchestration: Gemini Pro now works seamlessly across Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, and Chat without switching tabs. Prompt Gemini in Chat to pull project updates from Gmail into a formatted Slides deck, build a spreadsheet from a Drive folder, or send team emails right from a Google Doc. Learn more from Google's guide.
Gemini Desktop App for Windows: For all Gemini license levels - download the new Windows 10/11 app (gemini.google/desktop) and press Alt + Space to summon a floating Gemini overlay over any active window or syllabus—giving instant access to AI help without hunting for a browser tab. Download here for Windows or Mac OS.
Questions? Contact us at servicedesk@georgefox.edu.