Category Archives: Apps Feed Blog

The feed from the Google Apps team

Access and sort shared files within a space in Google Chat more easily

What’s changing

We’re enhancing the Files tab in Google Chat spaces to improve upon the file management experience and create a central place to manage all conversation-related artifacts. The updated tab will now be called Shared. 

In addition to the new tab name, you will also notice a refreshed user interface and features like a sort drop-down menu, support for shared links and media files, and more. 

This update reflects our continued effort to make Google Chat the central hub for project and team collaboration in Google Workspace. 
Shared tab now stores files, links, and media

Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why you’d use it 

The new Shared tab improves team collaboration by providing a centralized and visible method to access shared content shared within a space. 


Additional details 

Using the new sort drop-down, you can narrow down the list of documents displayed based on category (file, link, media) or date shared. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: At the top of a space in Google Chat, you will see the following tabs: Chat, Shared and Tasks. Upon clicking Shared, you will see three sections: Files, Links and Media. Visit the Help Center to learn more about sending & sharing files in Google Chat messages. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts 

Resources 

Workspace audit log exports in BigQuery now enriched with Drive label metadata

What’s changing

Google Workspace audit logs enable admins to have visibility into activity on their data, such as file shares and downloads, when it occurred, and who within the organization performed the action. The Google Drive audit events include activity on content your users create in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, as well as the files that your users upload to Drive, such as PDFs and Microsoft Word files. 

Today, we’re excited to announce that for admins who analyze these logs in BigQuery, these events are now enriched with Drive labels metadata. Admins leverage Drive labels to apply descriptive metadata, such as file sensitivity, to Drive items. With the enrichment of label metadata on log events, admins can now focus their analysis on activity occurring on their most important files by filtering on label conditions. 


Getting started 


Rollout pace 

  • This feature is available now. 

Availability 

  • Available to Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus 

Resources 

Send voice messages in Google Chat

What’s changing 

In continuing our efforts to improve the Google Chat experience and help ensure it’s a useful tool for seamless communication, especially when on the go, we’re excited to introduce voice messages on Chat mobile (with web support coming soon). 

Sending a voice message instead of typing enables you to save time, convey more information, and emphasize the most important information for the message receiver. We hope this highly requested feature helps you communicate with others more effectively. 
Send voice messages in Google Chat

Additional details 

We will be enabling transcription for voice messages in the coming months. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: 
  • End users: 
    • You can send voice messages on mobile (to direct messages, group chats and spaces) and receive them on all platforms, including web. However, you cannot send voice messages on web at this time. 
    • To record on your Android or iOS device, tap the microphone icon > start speaking > watch a live waveform visualize your voice. A timer counts up so you know exactly how long you've been recording. 
    • You can preview and then send your voice message or delete it and try again if needed. 
    • Voice messages can be interacted with (quoted, reacted to, replied to in thread, etc.) just like any other Chat message. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about sending voice messages in Google Chat.

Rollout pace 

Availability 

  • Available to Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus 

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – March 22, 2024

2 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.


Search for files directly using new search bar in Google Drive
Last year, we introduced a new homepage view in Google Drive that makes it easier and faster for you to find files that matter most. Starting this week, you’ll notice an expanded search bar and enhanced search chip capabilities that enable you to filter files across your entire Drive. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for April 15, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more about how to use Google Drive 
Search for files directly from the new homepage view in Google Drive



Improving filtering for merged cells in Google Sheets 
We’re excited to announce that users can now filter ranges with merged cells in Google Sheets. 
  • For ranges with vertical merges, users can create a filter and apply various filter types (condition, values, and color). 
  • For ranges with horizontal merges, users can create a filter, apply various filter types (condition, values, and color), and sort by values or color. 
Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for April 3, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more about sorting & filtering your data.


Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.



The current appointment slots feature in Google Calendar will be replaced by appointment schedules in July 2024 
To create a cohesive user experience in Calendar, as of July 18, 2024, the appointment slots feature will be replaced by appointment schedules. | Appointment schedules are available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits, Google Workspace Individual customers and Google One Premium users only. | Learn more about appointment scheduling.


Securely migrate existing encrypted messages to Gmail client-side encryption (CSE) 
Beginning this week, admins can migrate encrypted emails from other services like Microsoft 365, Microsoft Exchange, or Virtu, to Gmail client-side encryption in the S/MIME format. This enables Google Workspace customers to simplify the migration process by bulk importing sensitive emails as S/MIME messages without compromising their privacy or compliance posture. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus customers. | Learn more about securely migrating existing encrypted messages to Gmail CSE.


For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).  

 





Securely migrate existing encrypted messages to Gmail client-side encryption (CSE)

What’s changing 

Beginning today, admins can migrate encrypted emails from other services like Microsoft 365, Microsoft Exchange, or Virtu, to Gmail client-side encryption in the S/MIME format. This enables Google Workspace customers to simplify the migration process by bulk importing sensitive emails as S/MIME messages without compromising their privacy or compliance posture.


Specifically: 
  • S/MIME messages imported from other mail providers are now supported by Gmail CSE 
  • Virtru customers can use our migration utility to encrypt their plain-text archives from Vault or Takeout, and import them as S/MIME messages 
  • Customers can bulk-import any plain-text email archives into Gmail as S/MIME messages

Additional details

The Gmail CSE Migration Utility is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux and supports PST & Mbox file formats. 

Getting started 


Rollout pace 

Web & Android: 
  • This feature is available now.
iOS: 

Availability 

  • Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus customers 

Resources 

The current appointment slots feature in Google Calendar will be replaced by appointment schedules in July 2024

What’s changing

Currently, we offer two tools with similar functionality for users in Google Calendar: appointment slots and appointment schedules. In the last several years, appointment schedules have become the more advanced tool, offering a smoother booking experience and more powerful features. 


To create a cohesive user experience in Calendar, as of July 18, 2024, the appointment slots feature will be replaced by appointment schedules. 


Between now and July 18, 2024, we encourage users to explore and familiarize themselves with appointment schedules. All existing appointment slots will remain active until July 18, 2024, however we recommend creating new appointments using appointment schedules moving forward. Starting on July 18, 2024, the appointment slots booking pages will no longer be available, and all new appointments will need to be booked through appointment schedules. Visit this comprehensive Help Center resource for detailed information about appointment schedules. 

Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why it matters ​​

The current appointment slots feature in Google Calendar will be replaced by appointment schedules, a feature-rich appointment booking system that offers a smoother booking experience and more powerful features. 


Additional details

In conjunction with this transition, Google Workspace Business Starter customers now have access to appointment scheduling, allowing each user to create one booking page. 


The ability to create multiple schedules, and use additional premium features are available to the following editions: Google Workspace Individual, Business Standard and Plus, Enterprise Standard and Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits and Google One Premium. 



Getting started 

  • Admins: We have shared the current usage of appointment slots for each organization with admins. We strongly encourage you to review the usage in your organization and help users transition to appointment schedules. Existing appointment slots will not be automatically migrated, so users need to recreate their setup with appointment schedules. 
  • End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about creating an appointment schedule and customizing your appointment availability. Users that are organizers or editors of appointment slots will soon see in-product banners guiding them to transition to use appointment schedules. 

Rollout pace 

  • Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) beginning July 18, 2024 

Availability 

  • Appointment schedules are available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits, Google Workspace Individual customers and Google One Premium users 

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – March 15, 2024

4 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.



Banner alerts for Google Drive item capacity limits in shared drives 

To give users more visibility when shared drives in their domain are approaching the item capacity limit (400,000 items), we’re introducing banner alerts that identify current shared drive capacity. These banners will be visible when less than 20% capacity is left and will appear only for users who have edit access to add content to the specific shared drive. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for April 3, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Essentials Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Nonprofits. | Learn more about item capacity limits in shared drives.


Input numbers into slider controls across Google Docs, Slides and Drawings
We’ve added a number input next to all slider controls used for image and shape adjustments in Google Docs, Slides and Drawings. With this update, we hope it is easier for you to make adjustments more precisely. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for April 2, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more about cropping and adjusting images.

Updated version history limits for Apps Script projects
Earlier this year, we announced that you can create and save up to 200 versions for newly created scripts. We’ve expanded this limit to all scripts. If needed, you can permanently delete multiple script versions at the same time from the project history page using the new “Bulk delete” feature. | This is available now to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more using our developer documentation on working with Apps Script versions.


Google Meet-certified Logitech Rally Bar Huddle room kits are now available
Logitech Rally Bar Huddle room kits for Google Meet are now available for purchase. These kits are optimized for small spaces that can accommodate 3 to 5 people. The device can be used as a meeting room appliance, in USB mode connected to a meeting room PC, or connected via laptop. | This is available now to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices. | Visit Logitech’s website for more information on purchasing a room kit.

Google Meet-certified Logitech Rally Bar Huddle room kits are now available



Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.


Application load failures are now captured for the Google Meet hardware devices 
Admins can now see when the Google Meet app fails to load for a device. | Learn more about application load failures.


Create fully customized email campaigns using new layout editor tool 
Starting this week, even more users across Google Workspace editions can now create customized email layouts using a new email layout editor that is accessible from the compose screen in Gmail or Google Drive. In the layout editor, you can create a new email layout from scratch or select from a predefined set of email templates, which include images, text elements and buttons. | Available to Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus and Workspace Individual subscribers only. | Learn more about customizable email campaigns.


Select App Access Controls can now be applied at the organizational unit 
Google Workspace Admins can now configure a number of App Access Control (AAC) policies at the Organizational Unit (OU) level. | Learn more about App Access Controls.


Import data from other messaging platforms using the Google Chat API is now generally available
Google Workspace developers registered in our Workspace Developer Preview program have been able to import user data from other messaging platforms into Google Chat using the Google Chat APIs. This functionality is now generally available to all Workspace developers and admins. | Learn more about importing data using the Chat API.


Subtly enhance your appearance with portrait touch-up when using Google Meet on the web
In October 2023, we introduced portrait touch-up for Google Meet on mobile devices. We’re extending this functionality to Google Meet on the web. Portrait touch-up can be used to lightly touch up your appearance before or during a meeting, helping you feel more comfortable and confident in your appearance during video calls. | Available to Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Teaching & Learning Upgrade, Google One and Google Workspace Individual subscribers only. | Learn more about subtly enhancing your appearance with portrait touch-up. 


Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.


Rapid Release Domains: 
Scheduled Release Domains: 
Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains: 

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).  

 




Subtly enhance your appearance with portrait touch-up when using Google Meet on the web

What’s changing 

In October 2023, we introduced portrait touch-up for Google Meet on mobile devices. Beginning today, we’re extending this functionality to Google Meet on the web. Portrait touch-up can be used to lightly touch up your appearance before or during a meeting, helping you feel more comfortable and confident in your appearance during video calls.




You can choose from two portrait touch-up modes:
  • Subtle: very light complexion smoothing, under eye lightening and eye whitening.
  • Smoothing: slightly more complexion smoothing, under eye lightening and eye whitening.

Getting started

Rollout pace

  • Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 15, 2024
  • Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on April 1, 2024

Availability

  • Available to Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Teaching & Learning Upgrade, Google One and Google Workspace Individual subscribers

Resources


Import data from other messaging platforms using the Google Chat API is now generally available

What’s changing 

Google Workspace developers registered in our Workspace Developer Preview program have been able to import user data from other messaging platforms into Google Chat using the Google Chat APIs. This functionality is now generally available to all Workspace developers and admins. 


Who’s impacted

Admins and developers 


Why it’s important

In order to import data, you can create a Chat app and “import mode” Chat space. Within an import mode space, Chat apps can import the following data as equivalent REST resources:
  • Messages
  • Attachments
  • Reactions
  • Memberships with the following considerations:
    • Historical memberships must be imported when a space is in import mode. You can't import historical memberships after the space completes import mode.
    • Other existing memberships from the source messaging platform must be created after a space completes import mode.
    • Members must be users within the same domain.
  • Spaces: only SpaceType.SPACE is supported.
This is a helpful workflow for those who are transitioning from other messaging platforms to Google Chat. Rather than copying source data into regular spaces, import mode has the following advantages:
  • Preservation of resource creation timestamps: You can set a historical time for the creation times of space and message resources, letting Chat apps retain historical context during user adoption of Google Chat.

  • End users can't view or access spaces in import mode: To prevent user interference with a space undergoing data import, or to avoid possible user confusion as a result of viewing an in-progress data import, spaces in import mode are hidden from end users. After a space has completed import mode, you can add users to the space.

  • Chat turns off notifications during import mode: This helps users to avoid unnecessary alerts about the migration.

Getting started


Rollout pace

  • Available now.

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers

Select App Access Controls can now be applied at the organizational unit

What’s changing 

Google Workspace Admins can now configure a number of App Access Control (AAC) policies at the Organizational Unit (OU) level. Previously, this was only possible at the domain level. Specifically, this applies to: 


Who’s impacted

Admins


Why it’s important

We know that users rely on a variety of tools to do their best work, including third-party apps. However, not every third-party app aligns exactly with every organization’s security policies. App access controls give customers and partners the ability to control access to third-party apps and how those apps access Google Workspace data. This update gives admins added flexibility, allowing them to set App Access Controls as they see fit at the OU level, rather than across their entire domain.


Additional details

For Google Workspace education editions, the “User requests to access unconfigured apps setting” can now be configured at the OU level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing access to unconfigured third-party apps for users designated under the age of 18.

Getting started


Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers

Resources