Google Workspace apps and Gmail have been upgraded with new Gemini features, including the AI-powered productivity assistant’s addition to the services’ side panels.

The side panel will incorporate Google’s most sophisticated models, such as its Gemini 1.5 Pro model, which offers an extended context window and enhanced reasoning capabilities. This integration empowers users to leverage Gemini directly within their most utilised Google Workspace applications.

Google Workspace’s blog on the update wrote:

We’re pleased to announce the general availability of Gemini in the side panel of Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. Through the side panel, Gemini can assist you with summarising, analysing, and generating content by utilising insights gathered from your emails, documents, and more—all without switching applications or tabs.”

Confirmation followed later that the same feature set has now been added to Gmail.

These features are rolling out now for Google Workspace customers with Gemini Business and Enterprise add-ons, Gemini Education and Education Premium add-ons, and Google One AI Premium.

Users must enable smart features and personalisation to utilise Gemini in the Workspace side panel. Admins can activate default personalisation settings for their users in the Admin console. On the web, Gemini can be accessed in the Gmail side panel by clicking on the “Ask Gemini” (star button) in Gmail’s top right corner. For mobile users, Gemini is accessible by tapping the “summarise this email” chip within an email thread.

Example Use Cases

Google’s Gemini side panel is designed to enhance user productivity within Google Docs. It offers assistance in crafting and refining content, summarising information, brainstorming ideas, and generating new content based on existing files, among other capabilities. This tool aims to streamline the creative process directly from the Google Workspace environment with which users are familiar.

The Gemini in Slides side panel is a dynamic tool that can assist in creating new slides, generating custom images, and summarising presentations, among other functionalities. Similarly, the Gemini in Sheets side panel aids in data management, allowing for rapid table creation, formula generation, and guidance on performing specific tasks in Sheets.

For Google Drive, the Gemini side panel offers a convenient way to summarise single or multiple documents, gather facts about a project, or conduct a detailed exploration of a topic without needing to sift through myriad documents.

More Information On The Gmail Features and Use Cases

Gemini in Gmail’s web version now offers users a suite of tools to streamline their email management. Users can summarise email threads, suggest responses, draft emails, and search for specific information within their inbox or Google Drive files.

Gemini’s proactive prompts facilitate user interaction and support freeform queries. For instance, users can command Gemini to search their inbox for specific items like purchase order numbers, expenditure details on past events, or upcoming team meeting schedules.

Gemini’s capabilities also extend to the Gmail mobile app on Android and iOS platforms. Users can now enjoy a summarised view of email threads, directly highlighting the most crucial points from their mobile devices. Google suggests this feature is particularly beneficial when on the move, as it simplifies navigating through lengthy email threads on smaller screens.

Upcoming mobile enhancements, including Contextual Smart Reply and Gmail Q&A, are poised to further enhance the mobile email experience.