Google announced Ask Gemini in Chat at 23:20 UTC on 19 August — a command surface inside Google Chat that searches across Gmail, Drive and Calendar. The same post confirms that the existing Gemini side panel in Chat is being removed.
The buried half
In Google's own words: "With this launch, you'll no longer see the side panel in Chat," and "you'll no longer be able to access Gems via Gemini side panel in Chat. However, Gems will remain available in the Gemini side panel of other Workspace apps." Coverage leading with the new assistant is skipping a surface users already had being switched off, and a Gems entry point being cut — which is a support-desk event for administrators.
Nothing shipped on the day
The rollout begins 26 August 2026 and is gradual, with up to 15 days for feature visibility across both Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. "Ask Gemini is in Chat now" is wrong for at least a week, and for many tenants a fortnight beyond that. Eligible editions are Business Standard and Plus, Enterprise Standard and Plus, and the Google AI Pro for Education add-on.
Two details that will produce confusion for months
First, the change is scoped by account language: "This change will only affect users who have English as their Google account language. Users with other language preferences will be able to continue using the side panel." This is not a global cutover, so screenshots and support articles will disagree with each other indefinitely.
Second, the generous usage limits are a promotion. Higher limits are free only through 1 October 2026, after which standard limits apply. Any framing that describes the current allowance as the product's limits is describing six weeks.
What the swap says
Chat is where Workspace's agent story has to land if Google intends to contest Microsoft Copilot inside Teams. Replacing a persistent panel with a command bar is a bet that people would rather ask than keep a panel open — and disconnecting Gems from Chat tells you which surface Google now considers load-bearing.