Tool updates register · November 2026

What changed in your AI tools, and what to do about it.

Every month we read the release notes so you do not have to. We only list changes with a date, a cost or something you need to do, and link every one to its source.

This month’s issues

CopilotNo. 1

One Home, skills for everyone, and Cowork grows up

11 updates · 4 to do

GeminiNo. 1

Gems are on the way out, and skills are taking over

5 updates · 4 to do

ClaudeNo. 1

Cheaper models, Cowork in every chat, and credits to claim

7 updates · 2 to do

ChatGPTNo. 1

Custom GPTs retire, and the usage rules change

7 updates · 5 to do

Other toolsNo. 1

AI reaches the accounts, the agents and the phones

24 updates · 9 to do

Google Gemini · November 2026 recap · published 5 November 2026Read the full November 2026 issue →

If you only have 2 minutes

  1. 1Google is replacing Gems with skills. Business accounts lose Gems from no sooner than 1 March 2027.
  2. 2On 17 November, Gems move into Settings. They still work for now.
  3. 3Rebuild the Gems that matter as skills now, rather than waiting for the automatic migration.
  4. 4Skills inside Gmail, Docs and Drive are delayed, with no new date yet.

Checklist

Do now

  • List the Gems your team uses, and who owns each one
  • Tell your team Gems are moving to Settings on 17 November
  • Rebuild the important Gems as skills, and test them on real work

When you have time

  • Replace any “Ask a Gem” steps in Workspace Studio flows
  • Keep each skill’s instructions in a document you own
  • Switch on skills in Workspace once Google gives a new date

Every change

5 updates, in order of what matters.

ComingBusiness and enterprise accounts

Gems stop working for business accounts

No sooner than 1 March 2027

Users can no longer create, edit or use Gems. Any left over are migrated to draft skills, which arrive switched off until their creator reviews and activates them.

Why it matters

Anything nobody checks will quietly stop working. And skills do not sync between the Gemini app and Workspace, so some will need setting up twice.

Action needed: Rebuild important Gems as skills before March

Source
ComingEveryone using Gemini

Gems move into Settings

17 November 2026

Gems move from the main Gemini app into Settings. People can still create, edit and use them.

Why it matters

People will not find their Gems where they left them.

Tell your team: Tell your team where Gems have gone

Source
Rolling outEveryone using Gemini

Skills in the Gemini app

From 13 October, finishing mid-November

Skills arrive in the Gemini app for all Google Workspace customers and personal accounts. There are no admin controls for skills in the Gemini app.

Why it matters

Anyone can create one, and admins cannot switch them off, so a shared approach matters more than usual.

Tell your team: Agree how your team writes and shares skills

Source
DelayedWorkspace admins

Skills in Workspace are delayed

Was October; no new date

Skills inside Workspace were due in October and are delayed until further notice. When they arrive, admins can switch them on or off.

Why it matters

Plan around the Gemini app for now, and expect a second round of setup later.

Nothing to do yet: Nothing to do until Google sets a date

Source
AvailableAnyone with Workspace Studio flows

“Ask a Gem” steps in Workspace Studio flows

New flows now; existing flows until 2027

New flows can no longer add an “Ask a Gem” step. Existing flows keep working until Gems are retired.

Why it matters

An automation that depends on a Gem will break when Gems go.

Action needed: Replace Ask a Gem steps in your flows

Source

Coming up

  1. Mid-November 2026 · Google Gemini

    Skills finish rolling out in the Gemini app

  2. 17 November 2026 · Google Gemini

    Gems move into Settings

  3. From 1 March 2027 · Google Gemini

    Gems stop working for business accounts

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