Gems become read-only for personal Google accounts on 17 November 2026, and Google is renaming several other Gemini features at the same time. We checked every detail below on 31 October 2026, so look at this article's published date before you rely on it. Contact Softwired if you'd like training material that reflects the latest changes.
The short answer
Gemini is Google's AI assistant, and it runs in the Gemini app and inside Google Workspace. Chat handles everyday questions and writing. Task (formerly Spark) carries out multi-step jobs for you. Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) answers questions from your own sources. Canvas turns your work into documents, web pages and quizzes. Skills are replacing Gems as reusable instructions. Deep Research writes cited reports, and Connected Apps link Gemini to Gmail, Calendar and other services.
Gemini's features at a glance
| Feature | What it does (checked 31 October 2026) | Learn it |
|---|---|---|
| Chat | Answers questions, writes, analyses and reads images | First |
| Instructions and memory | Set under Personal Intelligence settings | First |
| Temporary Chat | Skips personalisation, stays out of your activity and isn't used for training. Google keeps it for up to 72 hours | First |
| Canvas | Creates and edits content. Its Create menu makes web pages, infographics, quizzes, Audio Overviews and apps | Second |
| Deep Research | Writes cited research reports that you can export to Canvas | Second |
| Connected Apps | Managed in Customize, then Connectors. Type @ to pick an app. Custom apps connect through MCP | Second |
| Gemini Notebook | Builds notebooks on your sources and syncs them with the Gemini app. Audio and Video Overviews live here | Second |
| Skills | Stores reusable instructions and files that Gemini applies automatically. You can stack several. Replacing Gems | Third |
| Task | Runs multi-step jobs in agent mode, switched on next to the prompt box | Third |
| Images | Generates and edits images with Nano Banana | Any time |
Task (formerly Spark)
Task is Gemini's agent. Switch the Chat and Task toggle next to the prompt box to Task, describe the outcome you want, and Gemini plans and carries out the steps, including creating files. Gemini asks before sensitive actions such as sending or buying. You can run up to 15 tasks at once.
Australian users can use Task if they meet Google's requirements. You need a personal Google account, you must be 18 or over, and you need a Google AI Pro or Ultra plan. Keep Activity must be on, and you must opt in to Personal Intelligence. Google excludes the EEA, Switzerland, the UK and Nigeria.
How you'd actually use it: "Find three Friday afternoons next month when my calendar is free, and draft an email inviting the team to a planning session."
Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM)
Gemini Notebook works from a set of sources you load, such as PDFs, documents and websites. Its answers come from those sources, and its Studio creates Audio Overviews and Video Overviews from them. Your notebooks sync with the Gemini app.
How you'd actually use it: load your industry's new standard and your current procedures, then ask, "Where do our procedures fall short of the new standard?"
Canvas
Canvas opens a workspace beside the chat where you and Gemini draft and refine content together. Its Create menu turns that content into a web page, infographic, quiz or Audio Overview.
How you'd actually use it: paste a training document and ask Canvas to create a 10-question quiz for new staff.
Skills replace Gems: the dates
Google is converting Gems to skills. For personal accounts (18 and over), Gems become read-only on 17 November 2026 and disappear on 17 December 2026. Workspace business accounts follow in March 2027, and education accounts follow in June 2027.
Skills carry a 100 MB file limit, and Google says some file types won't transfer. Skills can't yet be used with Canvas, Deep Research, video or music creation, or Guided Learning. Type "/" to call a skill. Google says "@" will follow.
Our guide to custom GPTs, Gems, skills and plugins covers what to do before each date.
Connected Apps
Connected Apps link Gemini to Gmail, Calendar, other Google services and some third-party apps. You can also add a custom app by linking an MCP server. Google varies the app list by device, country and account type, so your list may be shorter than a colleague's. On the web, most Connected Apps need Keep Activity switched on.
Work and school accounts
Your administrator sets the rules for Gemini in Google Workspace. Task and some other features above work only on personal accounts. Ask your IT team which features they've switched on.
Plans in brief
Individuals can use Gemini free or on a Google AI Pro or Ultra plan. Organisations get Gemini through Google Workspace. We don't list prices, so check Google's plans page for current costs.
Watch-outs
- Download any Gem files you need before 17 December 2026.
- Keep approvals on for Task actions that send, buy or delete.
- Check whether you're signed in to your personal or work account before you start.
Frequently asked questions
Is NotebookLM gone?
NotebookLM is now called Gemini Notebook, and your notebooks sync with the Gemini app.
Where did Spark go?
Google renamed Spark to Task. Look for the Chat and Task toggle next to the prompt box.
Can I use Task in Australia?
Yes. You need a personal Google account, you must be 18 or over, and you need a Google AI Pro or Ultra plan with Keep Activity on and Personal Intelligence opted in.
When do Gems stop working?
For personal accounts, Gems become read-only on 17 November 2026 and are removed on 17 December 2026. Workspace business accounts follow in March 2027 and education accounts in June 2027.
Related guides
- AI tool features explained: a plain-English guide for 2026
- Custom GPTs, Gems, skills and plugins explained
- What is a project in ChatGPT, Claude and other AI tools?
Put it to work with AI On Ramp
If your team uses Gemini, 17 November 2026 is a good deadline to move Gems to skills and set up Notebooks around real work.
AI On Ramp gets your team using AI with confidence, on their own work and across teams, while you keep its cost and risk under control. We set up the tools, then our consultants sit beside your most advanced AI users and build real in-house workflows with them. Your nominated AI Lead gets the governance tools and our ongoing support to keep the business current as the tools change. We bring deep technical expertise and decades of business change management, and we work face to face from Brisbane and along Australia's east coast. See how AI On Ramp works.
Want to talk through how this applies to your team? Book a call with Softwired.
