Tag Archives: Google Calendar

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – April 25, 2025

5 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.


New look for the Gmail mobile app on iOS devices 
Starting this week, you’ll notice a refreshed look and feel for the Gmail mobile app on iOS devices that is in line with Google Material Design 3. This matches the experience on web and Android devices. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about the Gmail app.


Introducing easier editing for objects and audio tracks in Google Vids
Following the recently introduced looping animations feature in Google Vids, we’re excited to announce an additional update that improves the editing experience in Vids. Users can now control the height of the timeline, which helps a user easily view more objects when working on timing for individual scenes. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to Business Standard and Plus; Enterprise Standard and Plus; Essentials, Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus; Education Plus; customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on, and anyone who previously purchased a Gemini Business or Gemini Enterprise add-on. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about controlling audio timing & transitions with audio tracks.

editing for objects and audio tracks in Google Vids

Create birthdays in Google Calendar using iOS devices 
Last year, we introduced the ability to create and modify birthday events in Google Calendar on Android devices. This week, we’re excited to announce these capabilities are now available on iOS devices as well. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing birthdays on your calendar. 

Create birthdays in Google Calendar using iOS devices

Generate and use images with Gemini in the side panel of Gmail on Android and iOS devices
Building upon the ability to generate images using Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps on web, we’re excited to announce you can now generate images in Gmail on your mobile device. Once you select the image, you can then save it, copy it, or insert it into a compose draft. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains on Android and iOS devices. | Available to Business Starter, Standard and Plus; Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus; Google One AI Premium; customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on, and anyone who previously purchased a Gemini Business or Gemini Enterprise add-on. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about Gemini in Gmail.


Introducing draggable dividers on large screen Android devices
When using the Gmail or Google Chat app on your large screen Android device, such as a tablet or foldable, you can now drag the divider that divides the list view and conversation view in the existing two pane layout. Draggable dividers enable you to pick between a one pane or two pane experience and allow you to control the width of each pane when in two pane mode. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.

draggable dividers on large screen Android devices

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.


Adding new capabilities to student groups in Google Classroom 
We’ve introduced improvements to student groups that enable teachers to email groups, sort by groups when grading on the Student work page and edit student groups when creating an assignment. | Learn more about student groups in Classroom. 

Introducing even more high-quality Google Slides templates to elevate your presentations 
We’ve introduced a second wave of templates that cater to a wide range of use cases such as business proposals, product pitches, marketing plans, quarterly reviews, team intros or celebrations, and more. | Learn more about templates in Slides. 

Data classifications labels for Gmail are now generally available 
Data classification labels are generally available, giving admins yet another way to enhance their security posture. | Learn more about Data classifications labels. 

Introducing Frontline Plus: Enhanced Security and AI features for Frontline Workers
We’re expanding Google Workspace Frontline to include a new edition: Frontline Plus. | Learn more about Frontline Plus.


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.


Scheduled Release Domains: 
Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains: 


Rollout updates 

We have changed the rollout timelines for this feature. Please refer to the original blog post for complete details.

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


Reference your Google Calendar using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail in additional languages

What’s changing

Last year, we added Google Calendar to the list of apps that Gemini in Gmail connects with. As a result, users can ask Gemini in Gmail to perform select calendar related actions or answer questions about their calendars such as: 
  • When is my [first event] next week? 
  • Create a [30 min] calendar event for my weekly [yoga class] every [Monday and Wednesday] at [9 AM]. 
  • Create a [1h] event for [lunch] [tomorrow] at [noon]. 
Today, we’re excited to announce this feature is available in more than 20 additional languages: 
  • Arabic 
  • Catalan 
  • Chinese 
  • Czech 
  • Danish 
  • Dutch 
  • Finnish 
  • French 
  • German 
  • Greek 
  • Hebrew 
  • Hungarian 
  • Indonesian 
  • Italian 
  • Japanese 
  • Korean 
  • Malay 
  • Norwegian 
  • Polish 
  • Portuguese 
  • Romanian 
  • Russian 
  • Spanish 
  • Swedish 
  • Thai 
  • Turkish 
  • Ukrainian 
  • Vietnamese 
Check out our original announcements for using Gemini in the side panel of Gmail to reference your Google Calendar for even more information. 


Why you’d use it 

Gemini in Gmail can help you: 
  • Create calendar events. 
  • Learn additional details about the existing events in your Calendar. 

Additional details 

At this time, Gemini in Gmail cannot: 
  • Add or remove guests from events. 
  • Pull up attachments or RSVPs related to a meeting. 
  • Find the best time to meet with other people or find time slots when you’re available to meet. 
  • Create tasks, an out of office, focus times or set working locations. 
  • Add or manage meeting rooms. 

Getting started 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
  • Business Starter, Standard and Plus 
  • Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus 
  • Google One AI Premium 
  • Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on 
Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature: 
  • Gemini Business* 
  • Gemini Enterprise* 
*As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.

Resources 

Quickly add events to Google Calendar based on your emails with Gemini in Gmail

What’s changing

In addition to asking Gemini in Gmail to perform calendar related actions or answer questions about your calendar, you can now add an event to your calendar directly from an email. 

With this update, Gemini will automatically detect calendar related content in your email and an “Add to calendar” button will appear. Upon clicking this option, the side panel in Gmail will open to confirm the event has been added to your calendar. 

"Add to Calendar" button in Gmail



Getting started

  • Admins: To access Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps, users need to have smart features and personalization turned on. Admins can turn on default personalization setting for their users in the Admin console. 
  • End users: 
    • This feature is only available in English and on web at this time. 
    •  The "Add to calendar" button will not appear for emails with already extracted events (like restaurants, flights, etc.). 
    • A calendar event created via the “Add to calendar” button will not include other guests. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Gmail. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
  • Business Starter, Standard, and Plus 
  • Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus 
  • Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on 
  • Google One AI Premium 
Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature: 
  • Gemini Business* 
  • Gemini Enterprise* 

*As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.

Resources 

Improving Google Calendar’s interoperability with Microsoft Outlook

What’s changing

We recently announced an improved syncing experience from Google Calendar to third-party calendars, like Microsoft Outlook, that allows event guests to enjoy a more reliable syncing experience with less calendar emails in their inbox. 


Building upon this, we’re excited to announce that Calendar now reliably processes calendaring emails sent using the Microsoft-specific format for rich text emails called Transport Neutral Encapsulation Format (TNEF). As a result, Calendar users and organizations that routinely collaborate with internal and external Outlook users will now benefit from a more reliable experience when receiving invitations and RSVPs from Outlook users. 


Getting started 

  • Admins and end users: There is no admin controls or end user setting for this feature. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

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

Resources 

Know who an event is shared with when using shared Google Calendars

What’s changing 

Users can have one of the following access permissions for shared Google Calendars: 
  • “See only free/busy (hide details)” 
  • “See all event details” 
  • “Make changes to events” 
  • “Make changes and manage sharing” 
The “Make changes to events” permission enables users to create events on shared calendars, but when those events are created, the user does not know which other users the event is shared with. 

To improve upon experience and ensure users are aware of who they are sharing content with, users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with. 

users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with.

Getting started 

  • Admins: As an admin, you can control how much calendar information people in your organization can share with users external to your organization. You can also set the default level of sharing for users within your organization. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting Calendar sharing options. 
  • End users: On Calendars with “make changes to events” access permission, you will now see the members of calendars. You can control the access permission of other users for your Calendars only on Calendars with “make changes and manage sharing” access permissions. Visit the Help Center to learn more about sharing your calendar with someone. 
  • Developers: For Calendars where a user has “make changes to events” (aka “writer”) permissions, the Acl.list and Acl.get method will newly return the members of the shared calendar and Acl.watch will notify about changes to members. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

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

Resources 

Know who an event is shared with when using shared Google Calendars

What’s changing 

Users can have one of the following access permissions for shared Google Calendars: 
  • “See only free/busy (hide details)” 
  • “See all event details” 
  • “Make changes to events” 
  • “Make changes and manage sharing” 
The “Make changes to events” permission enables users to create events on shared calendars, but when those events are created, the user does not know which other users the event is shared with. 

To improve upon experience and ensure users are aware of who they are sharing content with, users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with. 

users with the ability to “Make changes to events” can now see the members of the shared calendar, i.e. who their events are shared with.

Getting started 

  • Admins: As an admin, you can control how much calendar information people in your organization can share with users external to your organization. You can also set the default level of sharing for users within your organization. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting Calendar sharing options. 
  • End users: On Calendars with “make changes to events” access permission, you will now see the members of calendars. You can control the access permission of other users for your Calendars only on Calendars with “make changes and manage sharing” access permissions. Visit the Help Center to learn more about sharing your calendar with someone. 
  • Developers: For Calendars where a user has “make changes to events” (aka “writer”) permissions, the Acl.list and Acl.get method will newly return the members of the shared calendar and Acl.watch will notify about changes to members. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

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

Resources 

Now generally available: improved syncing experience between Google Calendar and third-party calendars

What’s changing

In June of 2024, we introduced an improved email notification experience between Google Calendar and third-party calendar services, like Outlook, via beta. Beginning today, this update is now generally available. 

Specifically, this update addresses feedback we’ve heard from our customers regarding the syncing experience from Google Calendar to third-party calendars. The syncing experience is now more reliable and gives recipients an effective way to filter out Calendar emails that may have cluttered their inbox.  
  • Google Calendar will send additional emails to improve event sync accuracy when users make updates to recurring events. 
  • Email notifications purely intended to sync information will display a banner in the email body with instructions on how to create inbox filters to hide similar emails, which can help to minimize clutter in recipients’ inbox.
  • At scale, Outlook system administrators can use Microsoft’s Powershell to implement an email filter rule for these messages for all users.


Additional details

With this release, we have also updated a user invisible email header, Envelope-Sender address (also called Return-Path or bounce) to improve reliability of DMARC alignment when delivering to third-party recipients.


Getting started


Rollout pace

  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 3, 2024
  • Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 12, 2025

Availability

  • Available for all Google Workspace customers

Resources


Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – January 24, 2025

1 New update

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.




Improving event summary cards in the Gmail mobile app 
Following last year's announcement of purchase summary cards, we're excited to introduce updates to the summary cards for Google Calendar events that make it easier for you to find relevant event information directly in Gmail. Now, when you receive an event related email, such as a restaurant reservation or dentist appointment, an updated card will show above the email content. This card summarizes the most up to date event information from the email and lets you quickly complete event actions, such as adding the event to your Calendar, getting directions to the location, or calling the venue. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using summary cards in Gmail.


event summary cards in the Gmail mobile app

Previous announcements

There are no previous announcements to share this week. For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).


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.

    Scheduled Release Domains: 
    Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains: 

    Assign Calendar resources to organizational units

    What’s changing

    Admins can now assign Calendar resources, such as rooms, projectors, or company cars, to specific organizational units. Upon doing so, the resource will be governed by the policies and settings of the assigned organizational unit (OU), including data location policies.


    Getting started


    Rollout pace


    Availability

    • Available for Google Workspace Enterprise Plus and Assured Controls customers

    Resources


    Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – November 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.


    Find files more easily with the Drive Android file picker
    In 2023, we introduced a streamlined file organization with the new Google Drive location picker on web. Now, we’re rolling out similar improvements to the Drive app on Android devices. This update will make it easier to find recently viewed Drive items and clearly see what other storage locations besides "My Drive" are available to you, such as items you have access to within shared drives. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for December 2, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about how to use Google Drive. 
    Drive files on Android

    View tasks lists on the Google Calendar Android app 
    Last year, we introduced full screen tasks lists for Google Calendar on web, enabling users to see all their tasks and task lists in a single full screen view. This week, we’re excited to announce that this same functionality is now available on Android devices. This update makes it easier for users to stay on top of and organize their tasks, especially while on-the-go. | Rolling out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains now. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about Google Tasks.
    tasks lists on the Google Calendar Android app


    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.


    Easily respond to comments and access requests without leaving Google Chat with the auto-installed Google Drive Chat app 
    Starting this week, the previously introduced Google Drive Chat app will be automatically installed and send you notifications about recent activity in Google Drive documents, such as new comments and share requests. | Learn more about the auto-installed Google Drive Chat app.

    Table reference improvements in Google Sheets
    This week, we introduced updates to table references that enhance discoverability and usability. | Learn more about table references in Sheets.

    Educators can now request access to third-party apps for their students 
    We’ve introduced a new workflow that allows educators to request access to unconfigured third-party apps on behalf of their students. | Learn more about requesting access to third-party apps for students.

    Automatic framing is now available to everyone in Google Meet video calls, plus an improved experience when using virtual backgrounds 
    We’re expanding automatic framing to all users, as well as introducing an improved experience while using a virtual background. | Learn more about automatic framing in Meet.

    Add multiple multimedia files to a single message in Google Chat 
    Users can now upload and send up to 20 multimedia files (photos and videos) in one Chat message. | Learn more about sending multimedia files in Chat.

    More ways to get started quickly with building blocks in Google Docs 
    This week, we introduced a new collection of building blocks designed to help you manage important business workflows in Docs, including team task management, project tracking, hiring, and more. | Learn more about new building blocks in Google Docs.

    New file picker method for pre-selecting Google Drive files coming soon 
    Today, Google Drive developers rely on the drive.file scope and the Google Picker API to optimize user experience and safety when creating their applications. To make it faster and easier for users to provide applications access to specific Drive files, the Google Picker API will introduce a new method to the Class view called setFileIds(fileIds) in January 2025. | Learn more about the new file picker method for pre-selecting Google Drive files.

    Easily find and navigate your Google Chat conversations by organizing them into custom sections
    As we continue to enhance the user experience in Google Chat over the last year, we’re excited to announce that users can now organize Chat conversations into custom sections. | Learn more about custom sections in Chat.

    New Asus hardware kits for Google Meet
    Asus is launching new hardware room kits certified for Google Meet that now offer daisy chain capabilities. Developed with AVer, this refreshed room kit portfolio will work in video conferencing rooms and spaces of just about any size. | Learn more about Asus hardware kits for Google Meet.



    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: