Blog on Tech hub

Digital updates: May 2026

Thu, 14 May 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Google Docs gets a major Gemini upgrade; plus file generation in Gemini, a new AI presenter in Google Vids, and new AI automation steps in Workspace Studio.

Digital updates: April 2026

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Google Vids gains custom music, YouTube export, and a screen recorder; NotebookLM expands its usage limits; and Canva launches a major AI upgrade alongside a new education platform.

Digital updates: March 2026

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

NotebookLM gains new visual and study tools, Gemini now remembers your Workspace conversations between sessions, and Google Vids expands with cartoon avatars, new languages, and longer video limits.

Digital updates: February 2026

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Gemini AI tools are now included for all staff in Docs, Slides, Forms and Vids, plus new recording and AI feedback tools in Classroom, and updates across Meet, Chat, and more.

Digital updates: January 2026

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Latest updates include Google Chat scheduling, enhanced AI in Gemini/Vids/Classroom/NotebookLM, and new Meet features.

Digital updates: December 2025

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Some exciting new features arrived in Google Workspace, including major AI enhancements across the Gemini app, NotebookLM, and Vids.

Digital updates: November 2025

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

New features in Google Workspace, a major update from Canva, and new AI resources from Google.

Timers in Meet

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Meet now has countdown timers built in ⏲️

Meeting hosts and co-hosts can add a timer in meetings. While it’s running, you have options to pause, cancel, or extend the timer.

Once started, all participants see the countdown on screen.

Add a timer

Go to Google Meet and enter a meeting
Click on the meeting tools menu (9 dots, to the bottom-right on the web)
Choose the “Timer” option

Learn more

Usage instruction for timers in Google Meet

Gemini's image support just got better

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Gemini app got a huge upgrade to its image support with Google’s Nano Banana 🍌

Nano Banana brings enhanced image generation, along with entirely new capabilities. You can now prompt Gemini with text, images, or a combination of both.

Make specific changes

You can give Gemini an image and ask it to make changes.

Alter elements of an image, like “Show me what this room would look like with teal walls”
Add or remove elements, like “Remove the rubbish bin from the background of this photo”
Restyle an image, like “Transform this photo into the watercolour style of Quentin Blake”

Giving a cat a paper crown, and changing the wall colour

Gemini AI in Google Classroom

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Google Classroom now includes built-in Gemini AI tools ✨

There’s a wide range of tools you can try today, including:

Generate quizzes
Re-level text (adjust reading age)
Write a story

The Gemini tools area in Google Classroom.

Get started with Gemini in Classroom

All the tools are on a new “Gemini” tab in Google Classroom:

Go to Google Classroom
Click on “Gemini” in the menu to the left

AI pilot programme

Outwood is part of Google’s AI pilot programme, helping to test new AI tools.

Canva Education

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Whether you’re a Canva regular or someone who’s been curious about trying it for lesson materials, presentations, or other visual content, we have good news.

Canva is now streamlined for Outwood students and employees—sign in with your school Google account and you’re ready to go with full Pro access. No need to verify your education status or create an account!

With Canva Education, Outwood students and employees have Canva’s Pro features, and access to tons of education content and templates. You also have Canva Magic (AI), although not all Magic is available to students. Each school has its own self-contained Team.

Polls in Chat

Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Google Chat now includes a built-in polling feature that makes it easy to gather quick feedback and make decisions directly in your conversations.

In Chat, type /poll and then Enter to create a new poll.

Add 2–10 choices
Option to hide the names of participants
Option to allow multiple votes

Once you’ve added your options, the poll will be sent to the chat.

Adobe Express in Google Classroom

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Adobe Express is an online tool for creating engaging multimedia content, including graphics and videos. It’s integration with Google Classroom is now enabled, making it easier than ever for teachers to assign creative projects to students.

All Outwood staff and students have access to Adobe Express through their Google Workspace accounts. When creating an assignment in Classroom, you can now attach Adobe Express projects.

Create a new assignment in Google Classroom
Choose “Adobe Express for Education” from the list of add-ons.
Pick the project you would like to attach for students to work on.

New Gemini features: Gems and Deep Research

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Two features have been added to Google’s Gemini app: Gems and Deep Research. Both are available to all Outwood staff.

Gems

With Gemini Gems, you can create reusable AI prompts. They can be used to create an expert on a topic or mini-tools to help automate frequent tasks.

You can give a Gem:

A prompt
Up to 10 files containing information to reference
A name

Click on your gem to start a new chat, with your prompt and reference material already loaded.