Google Chat adds easy formatting and quick summaries
Google Chat is rolling out two handy updates: real-time text styling and extra summaries powered by Gemini. For a while, Google Chat has let users style their messages with Markdown or a formatting toolbar. Now, Markdown works instantly as you type. Finish a section, and it formats right away, with a little menu popping up to help. Plus, the app now supports neat code snippets and blocks right in the typing area. This update is available to everyone starting now.
On the summary side, Gemini is stepping up. Before, it only summed up group chats, spaces, or threads in the Home view. Now, it works for one-on-one messages, too. It’ll even summarize chats you’ve already read, not just unread ones. Just head to the Home tab, hit “Summarize,” and get a quick bullet-point breakdown. This feature is for Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus users.
In other Google Workspace news, enterprise folks can now upload documents and slideshows to Gemini for analysis or summaries. It handles files like DOC, DOCX, PDF, TXT, PPTX, and stuff made in Google Docs or Slides. Meanwhile, Google Vids got some fun upgrades.
Users can add looping animations to text, stickers, or shapes in their videos. These animations keep playing between start and stop effects, making highlights or titles pop with extra flair. There are also new AI voiceover choices for Google Vids. These voices sound more natural, tweaking pitch and tone to fit your script. Options include:
- Narrator (Default) – Calm, medium voice
- Educator – Warm, higher voice
- Teacher – Crisp, low voice
- Persuader – Catchy, low voice
- Explainer – Bright, low voice
- Coach – Upbeat, higher voice
- Motivator – Bold, medium voice
These updates make Google Chat and Workspace tools simpler and more lively for everyday use.