The Ever-Evolving Google Workspace
The landscape of work never stands still, and neither does Google Workspace. Discover how its latest updates ensure you have the flexible and powerful tools you need to thrive in today's dynamic environment.
Google Workspace is committed to boosting how users work through continuous updates that enhance productivity with AI and streamlined tools. Google prioritizes seamless collaboration via real-time co-editing and integrated communication. With a strong focus on security, robust measures and proactive updates to protect user data, this ongoing evolution ensures a powerful and safe workspace for everyone.
In this article, we are going to break down the latest significant updates.
These key updates involve Google Vids, OAuth authentication in Add-ons, Gmail security, and Gemini App history.
Generate Stunning Custom Video Clips Effortlessly with Google Vids and Veo 2
Google Vids is a web-based, AI-powered video creation and editing application integrated into Google Workspace. Designed for ease of use, it allows individuals and teams to quickly produce engaging informational videos for work, such as training materials, product demos, and internal updates, without needing extensive video editing expertise.
The integration of Google Vids with Veo 2 introduces an exciting new dimension to video creation! This powerful combination allows users to generate realistic, high-quality 8-second video clips with 720p resolution simply by using text prompts. Imagine describing a scene, a product demonstration, or a specific action, and having Veo 2, through Google Vids, instantly bring that vision to life in video form. This capability significantly accelerates content creation, enabling teams to quickly produce engaging visuals for various purposes without the need for complex filming or extensive stock footage searches. It's a game-changer for rapid prototyping, dynamic presentations, and on-the-fly content generation within the Google Workspace ecosystem. Anyone is capable of creating these videos without extensive video editing skills! Please note that the following video does not contain any audio:
Google Vids incorporating with Veo 2 lowers the barrier to video creation, empowering more individuals within an organization to leverage the power of visual storytelling. This can ultimately lead to better understanding, stronger connections, and more effective communication outcomes.
Granular OAuth Consent: Taking Control of Your Data in HTTP Google Workspace Add-ons
Imagine you're installing a new app on your phone. Sometimes, the app asks for permission to access things like your contacts, photos, or location.
OAuth consent is like that permission request, but for web applications or add-ons that want to work with your Google Workspace data.
When you install a Google Workspace add-on (like one that helps you manage tasks in Gmail), the add-on might need access to your emails, calendar, or documents to function correctly.
The OAuth consent screen is where the add-on clearly asks for your permission to access specific parts of your data. It will say something like, "This add-on wants to:"
- Read your email messages.
- Access your Google Calendar.
- View and manage your Google Drive files.
You then get to decide whether or not you trust the add-on and want to grant it those permissions. If you click "Allow," the add-on can access the data it needs. If you click "Deny," the add-on might not work properly, or at all.
OAuth consent puts you in control of what third-party applications can see and do with your Google Workspace information. It's a way to make sure apps only get the access they need and that you're aware of what they're requesting.
This OAuth consent strengthens the security posture of the entire Workspace environment by limiting potential overreach by add-ons.
Important Security Update: Gmail to Phase Out 3DES Encryption for Incoming SMTP Connections
Gmail will no longer support the 3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard) cipher for incoming SMTP connections.
What is 3DES?
3DES is a legacy symmetric-key encryption algorithm.
Why it's being deprecated:
- While an improvement over the original DES, 3DES is now considered vulnerable to various attacks, including collision attacks like Sweet32, especially over long-lasting connections. Its effective key length is no longer considered robust enough against modern cryptanalytic techniques and increasing computing power.
- Newer encryption algorithms like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) offer significantly stronger security with larger key sizes and more efficient designs.
- 3DES is significantly slower and less efficient than modern algorithms, putting a greater strain on system resources.
Google's move strengthens the security of email communications by ensuring that only modern and secure encryption methods are used.
This change primarily affects organizations or systems still relying on 3DES for sending emails to Gmail.
Antemodal highly recommends that these organizations will need to update their mailing systems to support more modern encryption protocols like TLS or AES.
Are you having issues sending emails to Gmail?
3DES Encryption could be why. We can help:
Admins Get Ahead: Pre-configure Gemini App Conversation History Settings for Your Organization
The new administrative capability to Pre-configure Gemini's App Conversation History in Google Workspace gives administrators more proactive control over how their users' conversations with the Gemini app are handled. Previously, these settings were often managed by individual users after the Gemini app was enabled for them.
Now, before the Gemini app is even actively used by individuals in the organization, administrators can define the default settings for conversation history. This means they can establish organizational policies regarding whether Gemini app conversations are saved and for how long.
To find and configure the Gemini app conversation history settings in the Google Admin console, administrators can follow these steps:
- Sign in to the Google Admin console: Use an administrator account.
- Navigate to Generative AI settings: From the Admin console Menu (three horizontal lines in the top-left corner), go to Generative AI.
- Access Gemini app settings: Click on Gemini app.
- Manage Conversation History: Click on Gemini conversation history.
- Configure the settings:
- Enable/Disable: Check or uncheck the Enable Gemini conversation history box to turn the saving of conversations on or off.
- Retention Period (if enabled): If conversation history is enabled, you'll see a Conversation retention option. Use the dropdown menu to select how long conversations should be stored before automatic deletion.
- Apply to specific users (optional): To apply the settings to only certain organizational units or configuration groups, select them on the left sidebar before making changes.
- Save: Click Save to apply the new settings.
With these new settings, administrators can ensure compliance with organizational policies and data governance regarding AI interactions.
Staying Ahead with Google Workspace
In conclusion, we have discussed:
- Enhanced Video Creation: Google Vids now integrates with Veo 2, allowing users to generate custom, realistic 8-second video clips (720p) simply by using text prompts, significantly speeding up content creation.
- Improved Add-on Security: HTTP Google Workspace add-ons now feature granular OAuth consent, giving users more precise control over the permissions they grant to these third-party applications, enhancing data security and transparency.
- Stronger Gmail Security: Gmail will discontinue support for the outdated 3DES encryption cipher for incoming SMTP connections, forcing senders to adopt more modern and secure encryption methods like TLS to ensure email security.
- Proactive Gemini App Management: Google Workspace administrators can now pre-configure the conversation history settings for the Gemini app before it's widely used, enabling them to enforce organizational policies on data retention and usage from the outset.
These latest updates underscore Google's ongoing commitment to innovation within the workspace, constantly integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI-powered video generation and enhanced administrative controls. Simultaneously, Google remains steadfast in its dedication to providing a secure environment, as evidenced by the phasing out of outdated encryption standards. Ultimately, these advancements are all geared towards empowering users with a more productive and efficient way to work, collaborate, and create.
Ready to boost your team's efficiency and security? Explore the latest Google Workspace updates, from AI video creation in Vids to enhanced add-on permissions and proactive Gemini controls, and discover how these innovations can streamline your workflows and empower your organization.
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