Table of contents<\/h4>- Google AI<\/a>
- Introducing Nano Banana 2 in the Gemini app<\/a><\/li>
- New ways to customize and interact with your content in NotebookLM<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Calendar, Tasks, & Keep<\/a>
- Improving the connection between Google Calendar events and Google Meet calls<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Chat<\/a>
- Forward messages in Google Chat<\/a><\/li>
- A new web address for Google Chat<\/a><\/li>
- Introducing the new Meetings section in Google Chat<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Drive & Docs Editors<\/a>
- Save PDFs to your Google Drive<\/a><\/li>
- Introducing a new video player experience in Google Drive on iOS devices<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Meet<\/a>
- Move shared content in Google Meet to a separate window with the \u201cOpen in new window\u201d option<\/a><\/li>
- Google Meet is now available on CarPlay<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Sheets<\/a>
- Two new functions in Google Sheets<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Vids<\/a>
- Expanding access to select Google Vids features for all users<\/a><\/li>
- Expanded duration limits in Google Vids<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Google AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIntroducing Nano Banana 2 in the Gemini app<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nano Banana 2 is the next generation of image generation and is now available in the Gemini app. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information about generating images in Gemini, visit: Generate & edit images with Gemini Apps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nNew ways to customize and interact with your content in NotebookLM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
NotebookLM now supports the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Slide revisions:<\/strong> Users can now revise presentation content, ask for changes or fix any issues on both desktop and mobile. Users can submit stylistic or factual feedback for each slide and the slides are regenerated quickly as a new deck in the Studio panel.
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/04\/notebooklm-slide-revision.gif\")
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- New infographic styles:<\/strong> Users can now manually choose from ten new predefined infographic styles to visually summarize their sources. Options include: Sketch Note, Kawaii, Professional, Scientific, Anime, Clay, Editorial, Instructional, Bento Grid, and Bricks. By default, NotebookLM will continue to auto-select the best style for your sources.
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/04\/notebooklm-infographic.gif\")
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Improved flashcards & quizzes:<\/strong> Progress is now saved and loaded across sessions when using Flashcards and Quizzes in NotebookLM. Users can also now mark flashcards as “Got it” or “Missed it,” shuffle the deck, and use a new results screen to rerun any cards they missed. Additionally, specific flashcards or quiz questions can now be deleted. These improvements are available on both web and mobile.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Support for .EPUB and .PPTX formats:<\/strong> NotebookLM can now import .EPUB file formats, the standard for eBook formats. Additionally, NotebookLM can now export slide decks in .PPTX (PowerPoint) format.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nGoogle Calendar, Tasks, & Keep<\/h2>\n\n\n\nImproving the connection between Google Calendar events and Google Meet calls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Google Calendar is improving the way that it determines who is an owner and who has access to a Google Meet attached to a calendar event. For each event, Google Calendar must make the determination to know who to send meeting artifacts to, who to allow into continuous (repeating) meetings, and who can join a meeting without the host joining first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make these improvements, Google Calendar will now associate a created Google Meet with the calendar it was originally created on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, when a Google Meet originates from a Google Calendar event created from Apple Calendar, new meeting codes will now be generated and guests will be informed when a new meeting code is generated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more complete information about this change, please visit: Learn about meeting codes in Google Calendar events<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This change is now effective.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nGoogle Chat<\/h2>\n\n\n\nForward messages in Google Chat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In Google Chat, you can now forward chat messages. This provides the following benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Simplified sharing:<\/strong> Users can quickly share information between various direct messages and spaces, without clunky workflows.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Context preservation:<\/strong> Forwarded messages display the original sender, source, and any attachments instantly; recipients can view this content even if they are not members of the original conversation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Enhanced visibility:<\/strong> Messages forwarded from a thread can be moved into the main conversation stream, ensuring they get necessary attention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/04\/size-reduced-Forward-messages-in-Google-Chat--1024x640.gif\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNote that forwarding chat messages is not possible in cases where the messages are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- From entirely internal conversations to conversations that include users from other organizations, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- From conversations that include users from external organizations to other conversations that include users from external organizations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
However, chat messages can<\/strong> be forwarded from conversations containing external participants to conversations containing entirely internal participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAlso note that when users forward a message from a DM or group DM, a reminder to protect sensitive information will appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information about chat message forwarding, visit: Forward a message in Google Chat<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nA new web address for Google Chat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The web URL for Google Chat is changing (back) to chat.google.com<\/a>, whereas previously the web URL was mail.google.com\/chat<\/a>. The old URL will continue to function as a valid bookmark that will take you to the new address.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This change is now effective.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nIntroducing the new Meetings section in Google Chat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Google Chat now has a new \u201cMeetings\u201d section, where conversations that are created from scheduled Calendar events can now be found. Previously, these conversations were initially created under direct messages. This feature consolidates those group messages into one location that is easier to locate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By default, this new section is not visible and needs to be created. It can be created by clicking the \u201cTry it\u201d button from a notice that will appear under the Shortcuts section, or by clicking the triple dot menu icon when hovering over the \u201cDirect Messages\u201d section, then clicking “Create a meeting section”, then click “Create.” This new section can also be moved around like other sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/04\/Introducing-the-new-Meetings-section-in-Google-Chat-6880-1-1024x639.gif\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor more information, visit: Learn how to use Chat with Google Meet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This feature is currently rolling out.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nGoogle Drive & Docs Editors<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSave PDFs to your Google Drive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In Google Chrome, you can now save PDFs from any website directly to your Google Drive with a new \u201cSave to Drive\u201d button. The PDF is automatically saved in a folder titled \u201cSaved in Chrome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/04\/Save-PDFs-to-your-Google-Drive-6323.gif\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor more information, visit: Manage PDFs in Chrome<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nIntroducing a new video player experience in Google Drive on iOS devices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In December 2024<\/a>, a new video player was rolled out for Google Drive on Android for devices, and is now available on iOS devices as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/04\/image-1024x472.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor more information, visit: Store & play video in Google Drive<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nGoogle Meet<\/h2>\n\n\n\nMove shared content in Google Meet to a separate window with the \u201cOpen in new window\u201d option<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A new option is now available in Google Meet to move shared content (while sharing your screen or presenting a presentation) to a new window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/04\/6370.gif\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo get started, while already presenting something, hover your mouse over the presentation tile in the Meeting and select the \u201cOpen in new window\u201d button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To learn more about sharing in Google Meet, visit: Tips on how to collaborate in a video meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nGoogle Meet is now available on CarPlay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can now join meetings in Google Meet using CarPlay for iOS. This provides the ability to participate in a Google Meet safely while on the go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note: When joining this way, you will only be able to send and receive audio. Video will be turned off and unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/04\/image-1-1024x568.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor more information, visit: Use Google Meet with Apple CarPlay<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nGoogle Sheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTwo new functions in Google Sheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Google Sheets now has the SHEET and SHEETS functions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These new functions operate as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- =SHEET(value) – Returns the Sheet number (in order of the Sheets in a Spreadsheet) when value is the title of a Sheet or a reference to a cell or range in a Sheet. If no value is provided, it provides the Sheet number of the Sheet the function is located in.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- =SHEETS – Returns the amount of Sheets in current Spreadsheet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For more information, visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Google Sheets function list – SHEETS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Google Sheets function list – SHEET<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nGoogle Vids<\/h2>\n\n\n\nExpanding access to select Google Vids features for all users<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The following Google Vids features are now available to all Vids users:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Read-along teleprompter:<\/strong> Allows you to read from a script that automatically scrolls as you speak, helping you maintain eye contact with the camera and deliver a more natural performance.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transcript trim:<\/strong> Provides a simple way to edit your video by deleting words or silences directly from the video\u2019s transcript.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Styled captions:<\/strong> Lets you choose from a variety of visual styles to render captions directly on your video, making your content more accessible and engaging.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Previously, these features required a license to be able to be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information, visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Record a video or audio clip – Google Docs Editors Help<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trim video & audio transcripts in Google Vids – Google Docs Editors Help<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nExpanded duration limits in Google Vids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Google Vids now allows for increased duration limits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Vids projects<\/strong> can now be up to 30 minutes, up from 10 minutes previously.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Recordings:<\/strong> The maximum length for any video or audio clip created directly in the Vids recording studio is now 30 minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Imports:<\/strong> You can now import video or audio clips up to 95 minutes in length (or up to 4 GB in file size).\n
\n- Note that while the maximum allowed length for importing is 95 minutes, the resulting export must be 30 minutes or less.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For more information, visit: Google Vids storage, object & version history limits – Google Docs Editors Help<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here\u2019s the April 2026 post for Google Updates at VCU! Through March and April, we\u2019ve got several updates for Google Chat, several across Google Drive and the Docs editors, Google Meet, and Gemini\/NotebookLM. Table of contents Google AI Introducing Nano Banana 2 in the Gemini app New ways to customize and interact with your content […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1231,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,24,27,16,29,39,47,33,36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-google-calendar-tasks-keep","category-google-chat","category-google-drive","category-google-feature-updates","category-google-meet","category-google-sheets","category-google-vids","category-google-workspace","category-other-google-feature-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1231"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/774\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":742,"date":"2026-02-11T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/?p=742"},"modified":"2026-02-11T14:16:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:16:48","slug":"google-updates-recap-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/2026\/02\/11\/google-updates-recap-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Updates Recap: February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In this update, we\u2019re covering an important change to \u201csecondary calendars\u201d and several improvements across Calendar, Chat, Drive, and Meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Table of contents<\/h4>- Important Notices<\/a>
- Important changes to secondary calendars<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google AI<\/a>
- Transform sources into structured Data Tables in NotebookLM<\/a><\/li>
- Take your notebooks further by adding NotebookLM as a source in the Gemini app<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Calendar, Tasks, & Keep<\/a>
- Calendar event color labels now also accessible to users with \u201cMake changes to events\u201d permission<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Chat<\/a>
- Block messages from unknown senders in Google Chat<\/a><\/li>
- Schedule messages to be sent at a later time in Google Chat<\/a><\/li>
- Control whether users can request to join a space in Google Chat<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Drive & Docs Editors<\/a>
- Editing password-protected Microsoft Office files directly in Google Drive<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Forms<\/a>
- All Google Forms will now have granular controls over who can respond<\/a><\/li>
- Set Google Forms to automatically stop accepting responses based on date and time or response count<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Meet<\/a>
- Meet now automatically opens picture-in-picture when screen sharing<\/a><\/li>
- Share stereo sound with audio content in Google Meet<\/a><\/li>
- Share your device\u2019s audio when presenting in Google Meet<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Vids<\/a>
- Styled captions in Google Vids<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Important Notices<\/h2>\n\n\n\nImportant changes to secondary calendars<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Secondary calendars, as opposed to your primary calendar (the one that comes with your VCU account), are calendars that are self-created. Often, these calendars are shared with others and used for team activities, such as leave calendars, team meetings, meeting rooms, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting November 2025, secondary calendars now have a new role added and assigned automatically: \u201cOwner.\u201d This dedicated owner role is given to exactly one person. When a new secondary calendar is created, the creator of that calendar automatically becomes the owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/02\/image-1024x659.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAdditionally, you will now see a new option to Transfer ownership to a new individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/02\/image-1-1024x659.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRollout: A majority of secondary calendars have already had an Owner assigned automatically. If you see a VCU secondary calendar you have access to that does not have an Owner, please reach out to Collaboration Services at drgee@vcu.edu.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nGoogle AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTransform sources into structured Data Tables in NotebookLM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
NotebookLM can now take information and transform the data into an organized table that can be easily exported to a Google Sheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some ways suggested by Google that this can be used include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Prepare for exams with study tables of historical events, organized by date, key figures, and consequences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Turn meeting transcripts into a clean table of action items, categorized by owner and priority. Or build a competitor comparison table analyzing pricing and strategies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Streamline curriculum mapping by aligning state standards, learning objectives, and assessment criteria across your semester plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Synthesize clinical trial outcomes across multiple papers to track study years, sample sizes and statistics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/02\/image-2-1024x607.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSetup step for the Data Table<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/02\/image-3-1024x646.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nResulting Data Table example<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nFor more information about Data Tables in NotebookLM, visit: Create a notebook in NotebookLM<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nTake your notebooks further by adding NotebookLM as a source in the Gemini app<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In Gemini, you can now use NotebookLM notebooks as sources. This allows you to receive responses that are more grounded in the information you provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some things you can do with this are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Create content based on your notebook<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Add a notebook to a Gem <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use other Gemini tools (like Canvas, Veo, Guided Learning, or Deep Research) based on the contents of your notebook<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/747\/2026\/02\/Notebooks-in-Gemini.gif\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor more information, visit: NotebookLM Help<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nGoogle Calendar, Tasks, & Keep<\/h2>\n\n\n\nCalendar event color labels now also accessible to users with \u201cMake changes to events\u201d permission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Color labels allow you to apply labels to your events to give you insight to how your time is used. Previously, these labels could only be seen by individuals who had \u201cMake changes to events and manage sharing\u201d on a primary calendar. Now, they can also be seen by people with the \u201cMake changes to events\u201d permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Introducing Nano Banana 2 in the Gemini app<\/a><\/li>
- New ways to customize and interact with your content in NotebookLM<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Calendar, Tasks, & Keep<\/a>
- Improving the connection between Google Calendar events and Google Meet calls<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Chat<\/a>
- Forward messages in Google Chat<\/a><\/li>
- A new web address for Google Chat<\/a><\/li>
- Introducing the new Meetings section in Google Chat<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Drive & Docs Editors<\/a>
- Save PDFs to your Google Drive<\/a><\/li>
- Introducing a new video player experience in Google Drive on iOS devices<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Meet<\/a>
- Move shared content in Google Meet to a separate window with the \u201cOpen in new window\u201d option<\/a><\/li>
- Google Meet is now available on CarPlay<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Sheets<\/a>
- Two new functions in Google Sheets<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Vids<\/a>
- Expanding access to select Google Vids features for all users<\/a><\/li>
- Expanded duration limits in Google Vids<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Google AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Introducing Nano Banana 2 in the Gemini app<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nano Banana 2 is the next generation of image generation and is now available in the Gemini app. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information about generating images in Gemini, visit: Generate & edit images with Gemini Apps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
New ways to customize and interact with your content in NotebookLM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
NotebookLM now supports the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Slide revisions:<\/strong> Users can now revise presentation content, ask for changes or fix any issues on both desktop and mobile. Users can submit stylistic or factual feedback for each slide and the slides are regenerated quickly as a new deck in the Studio panel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- New infographic styles:<\/strong> Users can now manually choose from ten new predefined infographic styles to visually summarize their sources. Options include: Sketch Note, Kawaii, Professional, Scientific, Anime, Clay, Editorial, Instructional, Bento Grid, and Bricks. By default, NotebookLM will continue to auto-select the best style for your sources.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Improved flashcards & quizzes:<\/strong> Progress is now saved and loaded across sessions when using Flashcards and Quizzes in NotebookLM. Users can also now mark flashcards as “Got it” or “Missed it,” shuffle the deck, and use a new results screen to rerun any cards they missed. Additionally, specific flashcards or quiz questions can now be deleted. These improvements are available on both web and mobile.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Support for .EPUB and .PPTX formats:<\/strong> NotebookLM can now import .EPUB file formats, the standard for eBook formats. Additionally, NotebookLM can now export slide decks in .PPTX (PowerPoint) format.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google Calendar, Tasks, & Keep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Improving the connection between Google Calendar events and Google Meet calls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Google Calendar is improving the way that it determines who is an owner and who has access to a Google Meet attached to a calendar event. For each event, Google Calendar must make the determination to know who to send meeting artifacts to, who to allow into continuous (repeating) meetings, and who can join a meeting without the host joining first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make these improvements, Google Calendar will now associate a created Google Meet with the calendar it was originally created on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, when a Google Meet originates from a Google Calendar event created from Apple Calendar, new meeting codes will now be generated and guests will be informed when a new meeting code is generated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more complete information about this change, please visit: Learn about meeting codes in Google Calendar events<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This change is now effective.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google Chat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Forward messages in Google Chat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In Google Chat, you can now forward chat messages. This provides the following benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Simplified sharing:<\/strong> Users can quickly share information between various direct messages and spaces, without clunky workflows.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Context preservation:<\/strong> Forwarded messages display the original sender, source, and any attachments instantly; recipients can view this content even if they are not members of the original conversation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Enhanced visibility:<\/strong> Messages forwarded from a thread can be moved into the main conversation stream, ensuring they get necessary attention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNote that forwarding chat messages is not possible in cases where the messages are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- From entirely internal conversations to conversations that include users from other organizations, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- From conversations that include users from external organizations to other conversations that include users from external organizations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
However, chat messages can<\/strong> be forwarded from conversations containing external participants to conversations containing entirely internal participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also note that when users forward a message from a DM or group DM, a reminder to protect sensitive information will appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information about chat message forwarding, visit: Forward a message in Google Chat<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A new web address for Google Chat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The web URL for Google Chat is changing (back) to chat.google.com<\/a>, whereas previously the web URL was mail.google.com\/chat<\/a>. The old URL will continue to function as a valid bookmark that will take you to the new address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This change is now effective.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introducing the new Meetings section in Google Chat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Google Chat now has a new \u201cMeetings\u201d section, where conversations that are created from scheduled Calendar events can now be found. Previously, these conversations were initially created under direct messages. This feature consolidates those group messages into one location that is easier to locate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By default, this new section is not visible and needs to be created. It can be created by clicking the \u201cTry it\u201d button from a notice that will appear under the Shortcuts section, or by clicking the triple dot menu icon when hovering over the \u201cDirect Messages\u201d section, then clicking “Create a meeting section”, then click “Create.” This new section can also be moved around like other sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor more information, visit: Learn how to use Chat with Google Meet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is currently rolling out.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google Drive & Docs Editors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Save PDFs to your Google Drive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In Google Chrome, you can now save PDFs from any website directly to your Google Drive with a new \u201cSave to Drive\u201d button. The PDF is automatically saved in a folder titled \u201cSaved in Chrome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor more information, visit: Manage PDFs in Chrome<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introducing a new video player experience in Google Drive on iOS devices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In December 2024<\/a>, a new video player was rolled out for Google Drive on Android for devices, and is now available on iOS devices as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor more information, visit: Store & play video in Google Drive<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google Meet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Move shared content in Google Meet to a separate window with the \u201cOpen in new window\u201d option<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A new option is now available in Google Meet to move shared content (while sharing your screen or presenting a presentation) to a new window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo get started, while already presenting something, hover your mouse over the presentation tile in the Meeting and select the \u201cOpen in new window\u201d button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To learn more about sharing in Google Meet, visit: Tips on how to collaborate in a video meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google Meet is now available on CarPlay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can now join meetings in Google Meet using CarPlay for iOS. This provides the ability to participate in a Google Meet safely while on the go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note: When joining this way, you will only be able to send and receive audio. Video will be turned off and unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor more information, visit: Use Google Meet with Apple CarPlay<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google Sheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Two new functions in Google Sheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Google Sheets now has the SHEET and SHEETS functions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These new functions operate as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- =SHEET(value) – Returns the Sheet number (in order of the Sheets in a Spreadsheet) when value is the title of a Sheet or a reference to a cell or range in a Sheet. If no value is provided, it provides the Sheet number of the Sheet the function is located in.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- =SHEETS – Returns the amount of Sheets in current Spreadsheet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For more information, visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Google Sheets function list – SHEETS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Google Sheets function list – SHEET<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google Vids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Expanding access to select Google Vids features for all users<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The following Google Vids features are now available to all Vids users:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Read-along teleprompter:<\/strong> Allows you to read from a script that automatically scrolls as you speak, helping you maintain eye contact with the camera and deliver a more natural performance.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transcript trim:<\/strong> Provides a simple way to edit your video by deleting words or silences directly from the video\u2019s transcript.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Styled captions:<\/strong> Lets you choose from a variety of visual styles to render captions directly on your video, making your content more accessible and engaging.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Previously, these features required a license to be able to be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information, visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Record a video or audio clip – Google Docs Editors Help<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trim video & audio transcripts in Google Vids – Google Docs Editors Help<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expanded duration limits in Google Vids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Google Vids now allows for increased duration limits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Vids projects<\/strong> can now be up to 30 minutes, up from 10 minutes previously.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Recordings:<\/strong> The maximum length for any video or audio clip created directly in the Vids recording studio is now 30 minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Imports:<\/strong> You can now import video or audio clips up to 95 minutes in length (or up to 4 GB in file size).\n
- \n
- Note that while the maximum allowed length for importing is 95 minutes, the resulting export must be 30 minutes or less.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For more information, visit: Google Vids storage, object & version history limits – Google Docs Editors Help<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here\u2019s the April 2026 post for Google Updates at VCU! Through March and April, we\u2019ve got several updates for Google Chat, several across Google Drive and the Docs editors, Google Meet, and Gemini\/NotebookLM. Table of contents Google AI Introducing Nano Banana 2 in the Gemini app New ways to customize and interact with your content […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1231,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,24,27,16,29,39,47,33,36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-google-calendar-tasks-keep","category-google-chat","category-google-drive","category-google-feature-updates","category-google-meet","category-google-sheets","category-google-vids","category-google-workspace","category-other-google-feature-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1231"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/774\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":742,"date":"2026-02-11T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/?p=742"},"modified":"2026-02-11T14:16:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:16:48","slug":"google-updates-recap-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/drgee\/2026\/02\/11\/google-updates-recap-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Updates Recap: February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In this update, we\u2019re covering an important change to \u201csecondary calendars\u201d and several improvements across Calendar, Chat, Drive, and Meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Table of contents<\/h4>
- Important Notices<\/a>
- Important changes to secondary calendars<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google AI<\/a>
- Transform sources into structured Data Tables in NotebookLM<\/a><\/li>
- Take your notebooks further by adding NotebookLM as a source in the Gemini app<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Calendar, Tasks, & Keep<\/a>
- Calendar event color labels now also accessible to users with \u201cMake changes to events\u201d permission<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Chat<\/a>
- Block messages from unknown senders in Google Chat<\/a><\/li>
- Schedule messages to be sent at a later time in Google Chat<\/a><\/li>
- Control whether users can request to join a space in Google Chat<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Drive & Docs Editors<\/a>
- Editing password-protected Microsoft Office files directly in Google Drive<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Forms<\/a>
- All Google Forms will now have granular controls over who can respond<\/a><\/li>
- Set Google Forms to automatically stop accepting responses based on date and time or response count<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Meet<\/a>
- Meet now automatically opens picture-in-picture when screen sharing<\/a><\/li>
- Share stereo sound with audio content in Google Meet<\/a><\/li>
- Share your device\u2019s audio when presenting in Google Meet<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Vids<\/a>
- Styled captions in Google Vids<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Important Notices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Important changes to secondary calendars<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Secondary calendars, as opposed to your primary calendar (the one that comes with your VCU account), are calendars that are self-created. Often, these calendars are shared with others and used for team activities, such as leave calendars, team meetings, meeting rooms, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting November 2025, secondary calendars now have a new role added and assigned automatically: \u201cOwner.\u201d This dedicated owner role is given to exactly one person. When a new secondary calendar is created, the creator of that calendar automatically becomes the owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAdditionally, you will now see a new option to Transfer ownership to a new individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRollout: A majority of secondary calendars have already had an Owner assigned automatically. If you see a VCU secondary calendar you have access to that does not have an Owner, please reach out to Collaboration Services at drgee@vcu.edu.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Transform sources into structured Data Tables in NotebookLM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
NotebookLM can now take information and transform the data into an organized table that can be easily exported to a Google Sheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some ways suggested by Google that this can be used include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Prepare for exams with study tables of historical events, organized by date, key figures, and consequences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Turn meeting transcripts into a clean table of action items, categorized by owner and priority. Or build a competitor comparison table analyzing pricing and strategies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Streamline curriculum mapping by aligning state standards, learning objectives, and assessment criteria across your semester plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Synthesize clinical trial outcomes across multiple papers to track study years, sample sizes and statistics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Setup step for the Data Table<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nResulting Data Table example<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information about Data Tables in NotebookLM, visit: Create a notebook in NotebookLM<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take your notebooks further by adding NotebookLM as a source in the Gemini app<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In Gemini, you can now use NotebookLM notebooks as sources. This allows you to receive responses that are more grounded in the information you provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some things you can do with this are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Create content based on your notebook<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Add a notebook to a Gem <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use other Gemini tools (like Canvas, Veo, Guided Learning, or Deep Research) based on the contents of your notebook<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
For more information, visit: NotebookLM Help<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feature Availability: This feature is now available.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google Calendar, Tasks, & Keep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Calendar event color labels now also accessible to users with \u201cMake changes to events\u201d permission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Color labels allow you to apply labels to your events to give you insight to how your time is used. Previously, these labels could only be seen by individuals who had \u201cMake changes to events and manage sharing\u201d on a primary calendar. Now, they can also be seen by people with the \u201cMake changes to events\u201d permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Share stereo sound with audio content in Google Meet<\/a><\/li>
- Set Google Forms to automatically stop accepting responses based on date and time or response count<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google Forms<\/a>
- Schedule messages to be sent at a later time in Google Chat<\/a><\/li>
- Google Chat<\/a>
- Take your notebooks further by adding NotebookLM as a source in the Gemini app<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Google AI<\/a>
- Important changes to secondary calendars<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Important Notices<\/a>
- Recordings:<\/strong> The maximum length for any video or audio clip created directly in the Vids recording studio is now 30 minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trim video & audio transcripts in Google Vids – Google Docs Editors Help<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Transcript trim:<\/strong> Provides a simple way to edit your video by deleting words or silences directly from the video\u2019s transcript.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Google Sheets function list – SHEET<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Google Sheets function list – SHEETS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Context preservation:<\/strong> Forwarded messages display the original sender, source, and any attachments instantly; recipients can view this content even if they are not members of the original conversation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- New infographic styles:<\/strong> Users can now manually choose from ten new predefined infographic styles to visually summarize their sources. Options include: Sketch Note, Kawaii, Professional, Scientific, Anime, Clay, Editorial, Instructional, Bento Grid, and Bricks. By default, NotebookLM will continue to auto-select the best style for your sources.
- Expanded duration limits in Google Vids<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Google Vids<\/a>
- Google Meet is now available on CarPlay<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Introducing a new video player experience in Google Drive on iOS devices<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- A new web address for Google Chat<\/a><\/li>
- Google Chat<\/a>
- New ways to customize and interact with your content in NotebookLM<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
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