In the latest update from Google, the Workspace feature drop for April 2025 introduces a suite of innovative AI tools across Gemini, Gmail, Slides, and Chat, as detailed in a recent blog post. This update notably incorporates features reminiscent of NotebookLM, an AI-driven notebook and study tool, into the Gemini app, enhancing its functionality and accessibility.
What you need to know
- Gemini gains two NotebookLM-esque features, Canvas and Audio Overviews, in this month’s Workspace feature drop.
- Gmail can now automatically detect invites in emails and prompt you to add them to your Calendar in one click with Gemini.
- Google Slides has a new sidebar that makes it easy to add design blocks and elements without leaving your presentation.
The integration of Audio Overviews allows users to transform uploaded documents and slides into spoken audio tracks, akin to the experience of listening to a podcast. This feature works seamlessly with existing tools like Canvas and Deep Research, enabling users to convert a Deep Research report into an Audio Overview effortlessly. These enhancements, which were initially previewed in March, are now widely accessible, including the experimental Gemini 2.5 Pro, available for free to all Gemini users since March 31.
Gemini in Gmail will automatically find appointments buried in your emails
A particularly useful addition to Gmail is its ability to identify invites to events nestled within your inbox. This feature extends beyond shared Google Calendar or Google Meet invites, as it can now recognize written event details in emails that may not be linked to the Google ecosystem. Powered by Gemini, this tool detects event information and presents an Add to Calendar button in the Gemini sidebar, allowing users to create calendar events with ease.
Moreover, Gmail will now offer Contextual Smart Replies, powered by Gemini, which suggest contextually relevant responses that can be sent with just a tap or two, enhancing communication efficiency on both desktop and mobile platforms.
It’s now easier to build presentations in Google Slides
Google Slides is also benefiting from a new design sidebar, which streamlines the process of creating presentations. This sidebar allows users to explore templates, add building blocks, discover stock photos, or generate images using AI, all while keeping the workspace uncluttered. Positioned neatly to the side of the slide being worked on, this feature ensures that users can focus on their content without distraction.
The company emphasizes that this sidebar consolidates essential features, enabling users to craft visually compelling slides without the need to navigate away from their current presentation.
Everything else that’s new, and when the features will be available
For enterprise users, Google is introducing a board tab in Chat, designed for teams to pin messages, files, and links for easy access. Additionally, a new HubSpot app for Google Chat will facilitate integration with the customer resource management platform, enhancing workflow efficiency.
While many of these features were previously highlighted on the Google Workspace Blog, they are now rolling out widely as part of the April 2025 Workspace feature drop, marking a significant step forward in enhancing productivity and collaboration across Google’s suite of tools.
