Tag Archives: Google Chat

Providing greater visibility with additional Google Calendar statuses in Google Chat

What’s changing

Last year, we introduced the ability to see additional Google Calendar statuses like “In a meeting” or “In focus time” in Google Chat. Starting today, Chat statuses will include even more information, such as: 
  • How much longer someone is in a meeting or focus time 
  • If someone has an upcoming commitment within the next 10 minutes 
  • If someone has an upcoming out of office event within the next business day 
The Chat status will automatically disappear once you send a message to someone or you can manually dismiss it. However, if their status changes, an updated status will reappear. 


Additionally, you can see the current working location and local time zone set by your colleagues when sending a new message to them in Chat. 
Providing greater visibility with additional Google Calendar statuses in Google Chat

Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why you’d use it 

This feature gives you a better understanding of others’ availability, helping you plan when to reach out and collaborate. If someone is currently unavailable, you now have a more accurate picture of their response time. 


Additional details 

This feature will be rolling out to mobile devices in the coming months. 


Getting started 


Rollout pace 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Not available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

Set a custom time period for messages to automatically be deleted in Google Chat

What’s changing

For select Google Workspace editions, admins can now define a duration after which their users' messages in Google Chat will be deleted automatically. This can apply to messages in 1:1 conversations, group conversations, and spaces — time periods can be assigned for each message type. Note that this retention period only applies to messages sent when history is enabled. The auto-deletion timeframe can range from 30 days to several years.





Who’s impacted

Admins and end users


Why it’s important

Currently, admins have limited control over the history duration of conversations in Google Chat: with history off, messages are deleted after 24 hours; with history on, messages remain visible for indefinite time, unless proactively deleted by Vault Retention policy or proactively deleted by user by user.

This update gives admins more granular control over how long their users can see messages in conversations. For end user practicality, this helps unclutter conversations, while complying with retention requirements (if a retention policy is applied). If you’re using the Auto Deletion policy combined with a Vault Retention Policy, the Vault policy prevails. For more information, see this article in our Help Center.


Getting started


Rollout pace


Availability

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

Resources


Communicate better with a modernized Google Chat

What’s changing 

Following last year’s announcement of a new look for Gmail, and the recently refreshed interfaces for Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, we’re also introducing a more consistent, enhanced look and feel for Google Chat. 

This update is based on Google’s Material Design 3 and includes updated font, colors, layouts, panel sizing and more. Specifically, you’ll notice changes to the top app bar, left navigation, main message view, compose setup, new topic button, and the thread panel within direct messages and spaces. 

We hope this modernized product experience increases collaboration and enables you to more easily complete tasks within your workflow. 

Getting started 

  • Admins and end users: No action required. You’ll automatically see these updates in your web experience over the next several weeks. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 


Roadmap 

New community features for Google Chat and an update on Currents

What's Changing

Last year, we announced plans to wind down Currents, to focus efforts on community experiences that are better integrated with the rest of Google Workspace. To help our customers manage this transition, we published detailed guidance for Workspace administrators and enabled customers to opt-in for automated migration of Currents data to spaces in Google Chat. 


We are nearing the end of this transition. Beginning July 5, 2023, Currents will no longer be available. Workspace administrators can export Currents data using Takeout before August 8, 2023. Beginning August 8th, Currents data will no longer be available for download. 


Although we are saying goodbye to Currents, we continue to invest in new features for Google Chat, so teams can connect and collaborate with a shared sense of belonging. Over the last year, we've delivered features designed to support community engagement at scale, and will continue to deliver more. Here is a summary of the features with additional details below: 

This month, we’re enabling new ways for organizations to share information across the enterprise with announcements in Google Chat. This gives admin controls to limit permissions for posting in a space, while enabling all members to read and react, helping ensure that important updates stay visible and relevant. Later this year, we plan to simplify membership management by integrating Google Groups with spaces in Chat, enable post-level metrics for announcements, and provide tools for Workspace administrators to manage spaces across their domain. 

New announcements feature in Google Chat on mobile device
Announcements in Google Chat

Adding a Google Group during space creation in Google Chat.
Managing space membership with Google Groups






We’ve already rolled out new ways to make conversations more expressive and engaging such as in-line threading to enable rich exploration of a specific topic without overtaking the main conversation and custom emojis to enable fun, personal expression.

A space in Google Chat with in-line threaded conversations.
In-line threaded conversations


Creating a custom emoji in Google Chat on a mobile device.
Discover and join communities with up to 8,000 members




We’ve also made it easier for individuals to discover and join communities of shared interest. By searching in Gmail, users can explore a directory of available spaces covering topics of personal or professional interest such as gardening, pets, career development, fitness, cultural identity, and more, with the ability to invite others to join via link. Last year, we increased the size of communities supported by spaces in Chat to 8,000 members, and we are working to scale this in a meaningful way later this year. 

A directory of spaces in Google Chat for users to join.



As communities grow, it’s essential to provide tools for content moderation and data management. Last year, we introduced space managers, a community lead with abilities to moderate conversation and manage membership, and last year at NEXT, we rolled out data loss prevention (DLP) for Chat. We will continue to enhance community health and data security for Google Chat. 


Our partner community is extending the power of Chat through integrations with essential third-party apps such as Jira, GitHub, Asana, PagerDuty, Zendesk and Salesforce. Many organizations have built custom workflow apps using low-code and no-code tools, and we anticipate that this number will continue to grow with the GA releases of the Chat API and AppSheet’s Chat app building capabilities later this year.



For teams to thrive in this rapidly changing era of hybrid work, it’s essential to build authentic personal connections and a strong sense of belonging, no matter when or where individuals work. We will continue to make Google Chat the best option for Workspace customers seeking to build a community and culture for hybrid teams, with much more to come later this year. 


Who's impacted

Admins and end users


Why it’s important

The transition from Currents to spaces in Google Chat removes a separate, siloed destination and provides organizations with a modern, enterprise-grade experience that reflects how the world is working today. Google Workspace customers use Google Chat to communicate about projects, share organizational updates, and build community.


Recommended action



Enabling organizational communication with announcements in Google Chat

What’s changing

We recently announced new capabilities for Space Managers to ensure effective conversations within Google Chat. To build upon those features, we’re also giving Space Managers the ability to configure spaces for sharing organizational announcements. Using the new announcement-only configuration, message posting and other capabilities are limited to designated Space Managers, who can: 
  • Create a space with restricted post setting 
  • Post 
  • Reply in thread 
  • Add files 
  • Designate another member as a Space Manager 
  • Modify the space settings 
A space must be configured as announcement-only during initial set-up by clicking “only Space Managers can post.” However, at any time, an existing Space Manager can assign the role of Space Manager to another space member, allowing them to post messages and perform other tasks as noted. 


Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why you’d use it 

Announcements facilitate one-way controlled communication in Google Chat. This can be important in a variety of scenarios, such as using a space for bulletin board-like updates rather than a resource for conversation. 


Additional details 

We’re moving the “Allow people outside of your organization to join” to the Advanced section of the space creation settings. 

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more about optimizing Chat spaces for your organization. 
  • End users: 
    • Upon creating a space, navigate to the Advanced settings and select the “Only Space managers can post” option. You cannot modify the setting to restrict posting to Space Managers after a space is created. 
    • If you are not a Space Manager, the following will appear in the Chat text bar: “Posting is limited to Space Managers.” 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about creating an announcement space and your role as a Space Manager. 

Rollout pace

Web: 
Mobile: 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Not available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

Admins can install Chat apps for use in direct messages

What’s changing

Google Chat apps integrate with productivity tools, enable you to collaborate with others, and can also help automate your work. Previously, to start using an app in Chat, users had to individually install apps as described here. 

Starting this week, admins can install Chat apps for direct messages on behalf of users within their domain from the Workspace Marketplace. Users will automatically see when an app has been enabled, eliminating the need to manually install the app themselves. 

Admins can deploy Chat apps as they see fit: to an entire domain, OU, or group of users using the Workspace Marketplace apps management controls. 

Who’s impacted 

Admins 

Why you’d use it 

This feature enables admins to provide their users with instant access to the Chat integrations they need for their workflow within an organization. 

Getting started 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Frontline, and legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Not available to Nonprofits 
  • Not available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

Introducing new space manager capabilities in Google Chat

What’s changing

Last year, we announced several improvements to spaces in Google Chat to help you better organize people, topics, and projects, which included introducing the space manager role. Currently, managers can: 
  • Remove and add participants
  • Assign or remove the space manager
  • Delete a space
  • Delete messages
  • Edit the space description
  • Update space access from restricted to discoverable or vice versa

Starting today, space managers will now have additional capabilities to ensure effective conversations take place in spaces: 
  • Space configuration: enables space managers to choose if members can change space details, such as name, icon, description, and guidelines, or turn Chat history on/off for the space. 
  • Member management: allows space managers to decide if members can add or remove members or groups to a space. 
  • Conversation moderation: authorizes space managers to determine whether members can use @all in a space. 

Getting started 


Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Not available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – March 10, 2023

1 New update

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace and G Suite customers.


Additional details for the updated Gmail experience on Android foldable devices and tablets 
Last month, we announced an improved Chat, Meet, and Gmail experience on Android foldable devices and tablets. To provide additional details on functionality, Gmail supports a 2-pane view in landscape orientation only. | This is now available. | Learn more. 


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.


Indicate your Google Voice availability with more options
We’re making it easier for you to indicate your availability in Google Voice on web and mobile. Previously, you could only indicate your availability for all of your ring groups. This update gives you greater flexibility to manage your Ring Group availability in Google Voice, without the need to sign-out of Voice or block all incoming calls using “Do Not Disturb”. | Available to Google Voice Standard and Premier customers only. | Learn more. 


Refreshed interface for Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides
In the coming weeks, you’ll notice a new look and feel for Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides on the web. Following the release of Google Material Design 3, the refreshed user interface is purposefully designed to streamline core collaboration journeys across our products. | Learn more. 


New updates for Google Meet on Poly Android-based appliances
We are rolling out updates to Google Meet to support our upcoming launch of Google Meet on Poly Android-based appliances. Within the Google admin console, admins can enroll Poly devices and include reporting of these new appliances. The Google Meet hardware experience will become available in the upcoming Poly OS 4.0 update as part of the Poly Studio X series family. | Learn more.


Managed Android devices must upgrade to Android Device Policy during March 2023
In 2019, we announced that a new Android management client, Android Device Policy, would replace the legacy Google Apps Device Policy client. We’re now in the final stages of this upgrade. All devices with the Google Apps Device Policy will lose access during March 2023 if they have not already upgraded. | Learn more. 


Completed rollouts

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


All newly created spaces in Google Chat will be in-line threaded beginning March 13, 2023

What’s changing 

As previously announced, we’re streamlining the way you organize conversations in Google Chat. Starting March 13, 2023, all newly created spaces in Google Chat will be in-line threaded. Users will no longer have the option to organize them by conversation topic, where related messages and replies were grouped together in the main conversation window. Existing spaces organized by conversation topic will continue to function as they do today. 


Later this year, existing spaces organized by conversation topic will be migrated to the new in-line threaded experience — we will provide more information on the Workspace Updates blog and via email to the primary admin in your domain ahead of this change.


In-line threaded spaces


Space organized by conversation topic



Who’s impacted

Admins and end users 


Why it’s important 

Spaces in Google Chat can help you communicate with a group of people or an organization about a topic, project, or shared interest. We’ve heard from users that having two different options to organize their spaces can be confusing. To streamline the user experience and accelerate product development, we’re focusing on the model most users prefer: in-line threading. With in-line threading, you can reply to any message and create a separate discussion isolated from the main conversation. In-line threads can be helpful when you want to reply to a specific message or discuss a topic in-depth without disrupting the flow of the main conversation.

Thread panel to create a separate discussion isolated from the main conversation in an in-line threaded space




In-line threaded spaces are more organized, making it easier for you to: 
  • Scan and understand what’s being discussed in the space 
  • Browse all topics via the active thread navigation panel 
  • Find and follow the most relevant topics and conversations

Additional details 

All spaces created on or after March 13, 2023, will be in-line threaded. Starting on that date, the option to “Organize the conversation by topic” will no longer be visible when users create a new space.


Getting started 


Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers Not available to Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic 
  • Not available to users with personal Google Accounts

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – February 24, 202

4 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace and G Suite customers.


View your peripheral devices directly in the Google Meet green room
Before joining a Google Meet meeting, you’ll be able to instantly check which of your peripheral devices are available and connected. You can still view your peripheral devices via the settings menu, but this update makes it easier to select equipment or identify potential issues. | This is now available. | Learn more.
Improvements to sales and customer service integrations in Google Chat
Third-party sales tool Salesforce and customer service tool Zendesk are now better integrated with Google Chat, using the updated Salesforce and Zendesk Chat apps. The Salesforce Chat app now allows you to more easily search and share Salesforce records into the Chat stream. The Zendesk Chat app provides improved notifications of updates to Zendesk tickets into Chat, including the ability to update and reassign tickets. Installing these apps provides simpler access to your sales and customer service workflows directly in Chat. | This is now available. | Learn more. 
2-pane view on foldable Android devices now available for Meet, Gmail, and Chat
As part of our mission to provide a top-class user experience on large screen devices, Android foldable-device users have been able to access a 2-pane view for Google Meet and Gmail. We’re excited to announce this also includes the Chat tab in the Gmail app. | This is now available. 
Optimized zoom experience for Google Sheets on Android devices
In continuing our efforts to enhance the Google Workspace experience on Android devices, we’re introducing an improved zoom scale experience when using Google Sheets on Android devices. Upon opening the Sheets app, zoom scales are now different based on your device type. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for mid March, 2023.

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.


Introducing Trusted Types in Google Workspace
We’re improving the client-side security of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Sites, Jamboard, Drawings, and Drive with Trusted Types. This will provide an extra layer of protection around Document Object Model (DOM) APIs that are used by the apps listed above or third-party extensions. | Learn more. 


Introducing new smart canvas features in Google Sheets and Google Docs
We’re introducing even more smart chips and a new way to display dates across Google Sheets that will make it easier for you to quickly preview and interact with dates, locations, and financial information. We’re also adding a stopwatch chip to Google Docs that can track how long it takes to complete an activity, helping you stay on task and on time. | Learn more. 

Completed rollouts

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