Google Workspace embraces AI with full Gemini integration, ushering in a new era of productivity

The way we work is constantly evolving, and technology plays a pivotal role in shaping that evolution. Google, recognizing the transformative power of artificial intelligence, is making a significant shift by fully integrating its Gemini AI model into Google Workspace. This isn’t just a minor upgrade; it’s a fundamental change in how Google envisions the future of productivity.
Previously, accessing the full potential of Gemini within Workspace required an additional subscription, creating a tiered system where advanced AI features were reserved for those willing to pay extra. This approach is now being replaced with a more inclusive model. The complete Gemini experience is becoming a core component of Workspace Business and Enterprise plans, marking a departure from the traditional add-on structure.
This strategic move by Google underscores its belief that AI is no longer a supplementary tool but rather a foundational element of modern work. By embedding Gemini directly into Workspace, Google aims to empower users with intelligent assistance across various applications, streamlining workflows and unlocking new levels of efficiency. This also positions Google competitively against other platforms that maintain a per-user, per-month pricing model for similar AI functionalities.
So, what exactly does this full Gemini integration entail? Workspace Business (Standard and) and Enterprise users will gain access to a suite of AI-powered features across their favorite applications:
- Gmail: Gemini will offer a side panel for quick Q&A, assist with writing emails, provide contextual smart replies, and summarize lengthy threads.
Drive: The Gemini side panel will offer intelligent file management and assistance.
Docs: Users can leverage Gemini’s help with writing and creating documents, streamlining the content creation process.
Sheets: Gemini will assist with organizing data, enhancing smart fill capabilities, and providing data-driven insights.
- Slides: Gemini will help create images, remove backgrounds, and enhance presentations.
Meet: Gemini will automatically take notes during meetings, create virtual backgrounds, and enhance audio and video quality with Studio Look/Sound.
Chat: The Gemini side panel will assist within chat conversations.
Beyond these core applications, users will also gain access to Google Vids and NotebookLM Plus with team-sharing capabilities, further enhancing collaboration and knowledge management. Furthermore, users will have access to Gemini Advanced with 1.5 Pro and the ability to create custom Gems.
Even the entry-level Workspace Business Starter plan, with its 30GB storage limit, will receive access to the Gemini side panel in Gmail, a standard version of Gemini, and a basic version of NotebookLM.
Crucially, Google has emphasized its commitment to data privacy and security. User data, prompts, and generated responses will not be used to train Gemini models outside of their domain without explicit permission.
This comprehensive integration of Gemini into Workspace comes with a price adjustment. While all Workspace tiers will see a slight price increase, Google has provided an example illustrating the potential cost savings. A customer previously paying for Workspace Business Standard with the Gemini Business add-on would pay significantly less under the new pricing structure, despite gaining access to a more comprehensive suite of AI features.
The new pricing is effective immediately for new customers. Existing customers with monthly subscriptions will see the updated pricing starting March 17, 2025, or at their next renewal date for annual or fixed-term plans. Notably, very small business customers are exempt from these price changes at this time and will still receive the new Gemini features.
The rollout of these Gemini features has already begun for Workspace customers, preceding the price increase. Workspace Business customers can anticipate features like the Gemini side panel, “Help me write,” “Take notes for me,” Gemini Advanced, and NotebookLM Plus to appear in their accounts in the coming days. The rollout for Workspace Enterprise will begin at the end of the month, allowing administrators time to adjust settings.
In conjunction with this integration, Google is discontinuing the separate Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, AI Meetings and Messaging, and AI Security add-ons. There are no immediate changes planned for Workspace Individual, Education, Google Workspace for Nonprofit, or consumer accounts.
Google Home Expands Compatibility with Nest Protect and Matter Smart Locks
The Google Home ecosystem is expanding its reach with the introduction of support for Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as Matter-certified smart locks. This expansion brings enhanced home safety and convenience to Google Home users.
The integration with Nest Protect allows users to:
- Receive emergency and heads-up notifications for smoke and carbon monoxide.
- Get critical status alerts regarding battery health and device issues.
- View alarm history and run system-wide safety checkups.
- Schedule automatic sound check testing.
- Modify system and alarm settings.
- View camera live feeds directly from the emergency alarm card.
- Access E911 calling for Nest Aware subscribers in the US.
This deeper integration with Nest Protect provides a centralized hub for managing home safety, empowering users with real-time information and control.
Furthermore, Google Home is embracing the Matter standard by adding support for compatible smart locks. This allows users to:
- Receive lock notifications.
- Manage passcodes, including setting household access, editing passcodes, creating guest profiles, and adding labels.
- Control various settings, such as one-tap entry, automatic locking, vacation mode, and one-touch locking.
Google notes that not all listed lock features will be compatible with every third-party Matter lock.
This Nest Protect and Matter smart lock support is currently available through the Google Home Public Preview program, initially rolling out to the Android app (version 3.27+) with iOS support to follow.
Google Play Store Streamlines Core System App Listings to Combat Review Bombing
The Google Play Store is constantly evolving, and a recent change has been observed in how core system apps are displayed. This change, while seemingly a reduction in features, aims to address the issue of unfair review bombing.
A recent update to the Play Store introduced a simplified version of app listing pages for certain core system apps. These minimal listings display only essential information: the app’s name and icon, the developer, a call-to-action button, and a brief description. Gone are the reviews, ratings, support information, and related app carousels.
These streamlined listings are not accessible through standard Play Store searches but rather through external links or within the Pending Downloads section during app updates.
The purpose of this change is likely to mitigate the impact of uninformed reviews on core system apps. Users who don’t fully understand the function of these apps sometimes leave negative reviews simply because they notice the app on their devices. This can lead to a cycle of mistrust and even prompt users to uninstall crucial updates.
By simplifying the app details page, Google hopes to reduce this unwarranted criticism. However, this also places a greater emphasis on developers to provide clear and concise explanations of their apps and their importance to the device’s functionality. Educating users is key to preventing misunderstandings and fostering trust.
Google One AI premium now includes enhanced notebook features and student discount

Google One AI Premium has rolled out exciting new features with the addition of NotebookLM Plus, making it easier for users to manage and interact with their notes. Additionally, there’s good news for students in the US, as they can now enjoy a 50% discount on this premium service.
NotebookLM Plus brings significant upgrades over the basic version:
- Increased Audio Overviews: Users can now generate 20 audio summaries per day, up from the original 3 in the free version.
- More Notebooks: You can create up to 500 notebooks, a jump from the 100 allowed in the free tier.
- More Sources per Notebook: Each notebook can now include up to 300 sources, compared to just 50 before.
- More Chat Queries: The daily chat query limit has been increased to 500 from the previous 50.
With the premium subscription, you also get access to exclusive features:
- Controlled Sharing: You can share notebooks in “Chat-only” mode, where others can chat with the notebook but not see your sources or notes unless you allow it.
- Customized Chat Experience: You can tweak your chat settings to get responses in your preferred style, like ‘Guide’ or ‘Analyst’, and choose how detailed or brief you want the answers to be.
- Notebook Analytics: After sharing, you can track how many people have viewed your notebook and how often they interact with it.
Google previously enhanced NotebookLM with updates like Gemini 2.0, a new three-column layout, and an interactive mode for audio conversations. These features are now also accessible for business, education, and enterprise through Google Workspace and Google Cloud.
The Google One AI Premium service costs $19.99 monthly, offering 2 TB of storage, advanced AI features with Gemini, extended Google Meet capabilities, scheduling in Google Calendar, and special perks in Google Photos and the Google Store.
For students aged 18 and over in the US, Google offers this premium access at just $9.99 per month for the first year, which could be a great tool for handling schoolwork, custom study aids, and efficient email management. More details on eligibility can be found on Google’s official site.
New Android Auto update brings fresh app features

Google has just released a new update for Android Auto, version 13.7. This update doesn’t bring many changes that you can see, but it does some work under the hood. This is the second update for Android Auto in 2025, and while there aren’t big changes you can see right away, there are some small tweaks to how things look with the Material You design. However, these tweaks are so small you might not even notice them.
Like most updates, this one mainly focuses on fixing little problems behind the scenes. Google hasn’t said exactly what they’ve fixed, though. But something is interesting if you look closer at the update’s code. There are new messages about new apps coming to Android Auto. One message says an app is now available for use in Android Auto, and another says an app is available but only when the car is parked.
These messages read:
- “Now available in Android Auto”
- “Now available in Android Auto while parked”
We’ve seen similar messages before, but this time, it might be connected to Google’s new push for “Car ready mobile apps.” Google updated a page in January saying they would start helping developers make their apps work well on car screens from February 2025. This includes apps that work when the car is parked.
However, this February rollout is only for cars with Android Automotive OS, not for Android Auto on your phone, which will get these updates later. This update started rolling out late last week, so by now, it should be available for most users. Keep an eye out for new apps that might make your drive or your parked time more enjoyable.
Big trade-in deals for Samsung’s new Galaxy phones

Samsung is making it easier and more rewarding for customers to switch to their latest Galaxy phone, the Galaxy S25, with impressive trade-in offers. Even after the pre-order period, Samsung is keeping the trade-in values high and has expanded the list of eligible devices to include the Pixel 9 series.
Previously, you could trade in for top dollar on older Samsung models, but now, the Galaxy S25 series offers even better deals. During pre-orders, Samsung gave up to $900 for certain devices when trading for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, a jump from the $750 offered for the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Now that the Galaxy S25 series is out in the stores, those high trade-in values are still available on Samsung.com. This is surprising because usually, such offers decrease after the initial launch buzz.
A new addition to the trade-in program is the ability to exchange your Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro for a Galaxy S25. Previously, only up to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were accepted. The trade-in value for a Pixel 9 Pro can go up to $650, which is about 65% of its original price, and for the Pixel 9, you can get up to $550, which is just under 70% of its retail price. These values are quite competitive, matching what you might get selling privately, especially since these models were only released in August.
Here’s a quick look at what you can get for trading in different models:
- Google Pixel 9 Pro: Up to $650 for the Ultra, $400 for the S25+
- Google Pixel 9: Up to $550 for the Ultra, $300 for the S25+
- Older Samsung and iPhones: Values range from $100 to $900 depending on the model and the new phone you’re buying.
Remember, these trade-in values are exclusive to Samsung.com, and they might not last forever. Besides the trade-in, Samsung is also offering additional credits and larger storage options for each Galaxy S25 model. The starting price for the new phone is $799. So, if you’re thinking about upgrading, now might be a great time to do so with Samsung’s generous trade-in offers.
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