Tag Archives: Google Chat

Hold separate conversations in Google Chat spaces with in-line threading

 This announcement was made at Google Cloud Next ‘22. Visit the Cloud Blog to learn more about the latest Google Workspace innovations for the ever-changing world of work. 


What’s changing 

In addition to recently increasing the number of members you can add to a space in Google Chat from 400 to 8,000, you can now reply directly to any message in new spaces and some existing spaces. This creates a separate in-line thread where smaller groups of people can continue a conversation on a specific topic.


You can find and navigate to the threads you’re following or where you’re specifically mentioned with a new thread panel on the right side of the conversation. Visual indicators, such as a badge for the number of replies, direct@ mentions, and when a message is deleted within a thread, will help you stay on top of the latest activity in any given thread.

Who’s impacted

End users 


Why you’d use it 

With in-line threading, you can reply to a specific message in the space. This can be useful in scenarios such as:
  • Answering questions with in-line replies, while not disrupting the flow of the main space
  • Starting a break-out discussion for topics that may not be of interest to everyone. By default, replying in-line will notify the original poster and those who have either been @ mentioned or replied in the thread. Other users will have the ability to subscribe to the chain by opening the in-line replies and selecting “Follow.” 
  • Replying to an older message when the main discussion has moved on to a different topic
We hope that by incorporating in-line threading into spaces, it will also be easier and more intuitive for users to scan the space and know what’s going on. It will also help reduce noise for many users, as they will only be notified for replies to threads they participated in or choose to follow. 

We are also making improvements to navigating the space. With the new thread navigation panel, you can browse through all the threads in the space, and you can also filter for only threads you’re following or where you’re specifically mentioned. 


Additional details 

In-line threading functionality will depend on which type of space you’re using: 
  • In-line threading will be available in existing spaces where there is a single stream of unthreaded messages, previously known as “unthreaded spaces.” 
  • Existing spaces with messages and replies grouped together for everyone in the main chat window were previously known as “threaded spaces” and will now be referred to as “spaces organized by conversation topic.” These spaces will not have in-line threading and cannot be reconfigured. 
You can identify which type of space you are in by the location of the compose box. In-line threaded spaces have a single compose box at the bottom of the space. Spaces organized by topic instead have a + New topic button at the bottom of the space, while each topic has its own compose box. 

A space with in-line threading
A space organized by conversation topic

Starting with this rollout, newly created spaces will feature in-line threading by default. Until early 2023, you can change this to spaces organized by conversation topic from the creation menu under “Advanced Settings”. Once a space is configured, it cannot be changed. 

Beginning in early 2023, the option to create spaces organized by conversation topic will be removed, and in-line threading will be the standard for all new spaces. Existing spaces will not be impacted. We will share more information on the Workspace Updates Blog when that change begins rolling out.


Getting started 


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 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – October 14, 2022

New updates 


There are no new updates to share this week. Please see below for a recap of published announcements. 


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.



In-room meeting participants can now join break out rooms 
When using Google Meet Hardware devices, meeting hosts can now assign conference rooms to breakout rooms. | Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Frontline, and Nonprofits customers only. | Learn more. 


Transcribe speech during Google Meet calls into a Google Doc 
You can now transcribe a Google Meet video meeting into a Google Doc. The transcribed file is saved in the hosts “Meet Recordings” folder in Google Drive, similar to meeting recordings. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers only. | Learn more. 


Use SIP Link to link phone numbers from local carriers to Google Voice 
For Google Voice Standard and Premier customers, admins can now connect a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunk with Voice. This allows phone numbers (PSTN services) from local carriers to be used for Google Voice through a secure set of certified Session Border Controllers (SBCs), such as Audiocodes, Cisco, Oracle, and Ribbon. | Available with Voice Standard and Voice Premier licenses only. | Learn more. 


Preview and interact with files using smart chips in Google Sheets 
As an extension of smart canvas, you can now add Google Drive files directly into a Google Sheet as a smart chip. | Learn more. 


Expanding smart chips to include events in Google Sheets 
In addition to the recent announcement of adding files to Google Sheets using smart chips, we're also making it easier for you to quickly insert Calendar events into Sheets. | Learn more. 


Join or start a meeting directly from Jamboard on the web to kickstart collaboration 
We’re expanding interoperability with Google Meet and Jamboard with the option to join or start a meeting directly from Jamboard on the web. This makes it easier for you to seamlessly present your jam and start collaborating. | Learn more. 


Data loss prevention for Google Chat now generally available 
Over the next several weeks, data loss prevention (DLP) rules for Google Chat will become generally available for select Google Workspace editions. Data protection rules for Chat help admins and security experts build a stronger framework around sensitive data to prevent personal or proprietary information from ending up in the wrong hands. | Learn more. 

Improve your visibility in Google Meet video calls
Google Meet can now automatically frame your video before joining a meeting to help ensure equal visibility for all participants. The automatic framing happens only once, so there are no motion distractions that can divert attention from the content of the meeting. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Education Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Workspace Individual customers with eligible devices. Also available to Google One subscribers with 2TB or more storage space with eligible devices. | Learn more. 

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

Data loss prevention for Google Chat now generally available

This announcement was made at Google Cloud Next ‘22. Check out Next OnAir to tune into the livestream or watch session recordings following the event. Visit the Cloud Blog to learn more about the latest Google Workspace innovations for the ever-changing world of work. 

What’s changing

In July 2022, we announced data loss prevention (DLP) rules for Google Chat as an open beta. Over the next several weeks, this feature will become generally available for select Google Workspace editions. 


Data protection rules for Chat help admins and security experts build a stronger framework around sensitive data to prevent personal or proprietary information from ending up in the wrong hands. These leaks, whether accidental or malicious, are a top concern for our customers. 


Admins can selectively apply data protection rules to: 
  • Messages in group conversations, spaces, and/or direct messages 
  • Messages between internal and/or external participants 
  • Message text and/or attachments 

Once DLP rules are applied, messages and files in relevant conversations will automatically be scanned for sensitive information. Admins can configure the action to be taken in response to sensitive data being detected, such as: block from sending, warn before sending, and log for audit. 


In the Security Investigation Tool, we’ve added additional tabs which contain more information on incidents, such as Incident Details, containing information about the message, sender and a triggered rule, and Chat Transcript, showing preceding and following messages to the triggering one, providing a detailed context for investigation.

Additional information regarding Chat events

Getting started 

  • Admins: 
    • This feature will be OFF by default and can be enabled at the domain, OU, or group level. You can create DLP rules in the Admin console under Security > Data Protection. 
      • Note: You can modify existing DLP rules for Drive and Chrome to also apply to Chat. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning data loss prevention in Chat on for your organization. 
    • If admins opt to log these events, they can be accessed in the Security Investigation Tool. 
  • End users: There is no action required. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus. 
  • DLP for Chat is also available to Cloud Identity Premium users who are also licensed for Workspace editions that include Google Chat and Audit and investigation. Visit the Help Center for more information. 
  • Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – September 16, 2022

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. 


Send multiple images or videos at a time in Chat 
You can now select more than one image or video at a time when sending a message in Google Chat. | This is now available across iOS devices. For Android devices, roll out to Rapid Release began September 15, 2022; launch to Scheduled Release planned for September 30, 2022. | Learn more. 

multi-image-chat

Multi-pinning and picture-in-picture improvements available for Google Meet on Android and iOS
Early this year, we made multi-pinning available for Google Meet on Chrome. With this feature, you’re able to pin up to three participants’ video tiles at once to keep them fixed on your screen. We’re happy to announce that this is now available on Android and iOS devices. | 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. 


New Google endpoint management setting to show both personal and work entries in Google Calendar on Android devices 
In 2020, we announced the ability to see your personal and work calendars together on your Android device. We’re now adding support for Google endpoint management admins to enable this feature for their users. | Available to Google Workspace Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus customers, as well as G Suite Business and Cloud Identity Premium customers only. | Learn more. 

Easily share Google Meet artifacts with co-hosts 
Earlier, Google Meet features such as Meet recordings, Attendance Tracking, Polling, etc, would generate meeting artifacts which were directly shared with the meeting host only. Beginning today, these artifacts can be directly shared with the meeting co-hosts as well. | Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, Education Fundamentals, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers only. | Learn more. 

Spanish, French, and Portuguese Smart Replies in Google Chat 
Smart replies in Google Chat are now available in Spanish, French, and Portuguese. When you are typing a reply, Smart Reply will automatically detect the language and offer responses accordingly. | Learn more. 


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

Spanish, French, and Portuguese Smart Replies in Google Chat

What’s changing

In 2018, we announced Smart Reply in Chat, a feature that saves time by suggesting quick responses to your messages based on your habits. 

While these replies were initially offered only in English, you will now see options for Spanish, French, and Portuguese. When you are typing a reply, Smart Reply will automatically detect the language and offer responses accordingly. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: Smart Reply auto-detects languages and is ON by default. Once you’ve selected a Smart Reply, you can send it immediately or edit your response starting with the Smart Reply text. You can update your Smart Reply preferences in Google Chat or your Gmail account. At the top right, click Settings > navigate to "Smart Reply.”Visit the Help Center to learn more about saving time with smart reply suggestions. 

Rollout pace 

  • This feature is available now for all users on web. 

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 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – September 2, 2022

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. 


Refining notifications on the Google Classroom app 
We’ve made the following improvement to Google Classroom notifications: 
In addition to setting your preference for Classroom push notifications, you can now tailor your email notifications from Android or iOS mobile devices. | Learn more.





The text for all push notifications has been updated and we’ve enhanced Classroom action options, such as “Join class” or “View comment.” With this update, Classroom push notifications are much clearer and more actionable. | Learn more. 

These features are available now to Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers only. 


Insert Google Maps place chips into Google Docs
Last year, we added the ability for you to insert a Google Maps place chip into a Google Doc by pasting a Maps link directly into the document. Now, you can insert place chips into your Docs using the @ menu. | Roll out to Rapid Release began August 22, 2022; launch to Scheduled Release planned for September 8, 2022. | Learn more. 




Google Meet now automatically adjusts the volume of meeting participants 
With meeting participants using various devices to join a meeting, this can lead to discrepancies in volume, with some participants sounding louder than others. Meet will adjust the audio of all participants, helping to ensure everyone is equally loud. To take advantage of this feature, make sure noise cancellation is turned on. We hope this makes for smoother meetings, with less disruptions. 


Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Frontline, and Individual customers 



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. 



Dark Canvas theme now available on Google Meet hardware home screen 
We’re adding support for a dark home page theme for Google Meet hardware devices. When using Dark Canvas, devices will now feature dark user interface elements on the home screen when not in an active call. | Available for all supported Google Meet hardware devices that have not yet reached their auto-update expiration date. | Learn more.



Easily customize digital signage on your Google Meet hardware through Appspace 
We’re giving admins more options for customization by using their Appspace digital signage content. | Learn more. 



Insert emojis inline with text in Google Docs 
You can now express yourself in a new way by searching for and inserting emojis directly inline with your text in Google Docs. | Learn more. 



Work Insights reporting for Google Chat and Google Meet 
With the recent upgrade from Hangouts to Google Chat for Google Workspace customers, we’re pleased to introduce a Work Insights product for Meet and Chat. Work Insights allows for optimal visibility into your organization’s digital transformation journey, and helps to improve collaboration, promote growth, and much more. | Learn More. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus customers 



Google Hangouts will be fully upgraded to Google Chat starting November 1, 2022 
As a final step in the migration, beginning November 1, 2022, Google Hangouts on web will redirect to Google Chat on web, and Hangouts will no longer be accessible. Admins will receive an email containing more information about this change, as well as changes in Vault and exporting Hangouts data. | Learn More. 


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

Google Hangouts will be fully upgraded to Google Chat starting November 1, 2022

What’s changing 

In February, we announced that all domains would be upgraded to ‘Chat preferred’ and Google Hangouts would start redirecting to Google Chat. Since then, the Hangouts mobile app, Hangouts Chrome extension, and Hangouts in Gmail on web have been redirecting to Chat. 



As a final step in the migration, beginning November 1, 2022, Google Hangouts on web will redirect to Google Chat on web, and Hangouts will no longer be accessible. 



Admins will receive an email containing more information about this change, as well as changes in Vault and exporting Hangouts data. 


Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why it’s important 

Upgrading Google Hangouts to Google Chat gives users a single messaging solution and better integration across Google Workspace. Further, users can take advantage of the feature-rich experience, such as: 

  • Rich-text editing 
  • Tagging specific people with @ mentions 
  • Searching for and sharing GIFs and using emoji reactions 
  • Seamless integration with Gmail, alongside your other critical apps 
  • Spaces, dedicated places for organizing people, topics, and projects in Google Workspace. 

Getting started 

  • Admins: 
    • For some users, some conversations or portions of conversations won’t automatically migrate from Hangouts to Chat. If there are impacted users in your domain, you will receive an email notification with more details.
    • Inform your users about the upgrade from Google Hangouts to Google Chat and the associated changes. 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Work Insights reporting for Google Chat and Google Meet

What’s changing

Over the years, many organizations have benefited from the use of Work Insights, a tool that provides data-driven insights on Google Workspace adoption, work patterns, and cross-team collaboration. With the recent upgrade from Hangouts to Google Chat for Google Workspace customers, we’re pleased to introduce a Work Insights product for Meet and Chat. 


Who’s impacted 

Admins 


Why it’s important 

Work Insights allows for optimal visibility into your organization’s digital transformation journey, and helps to improve collaboration, promote growth, and much more. Now, you’re able to continue utilizing the same easy-to-read charts and metrics you’re accustomed to for Chat and Meet. 


Additional details 

Work Insights includes features to help mitigate privacy concerns. These include restricting data access, aggregating activity data, requiring a minimum team size, and keeping users’ work items private. No individual user's Google Workspace activity is displayed separately from other users. Learn more here.  



Getting started 

  • Admins: Access the Work Insights dashboard here. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting up Work Insights. 
  • End users: There is no end user impact. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Easily search for Chat spaces in Gmail

What’s changing

In the continuing effort to build community and connection in hybrid work, we’re introducing the ability to find and join spaces through Gmail search on web. 


When entering queries previously in the Gmail search box, you could see applicable emails or Chat and space conversations by selecting the “Mail” or “Messages” buttons.  


Starting today, Spaces in your domain with names or descriptions that match your query will appear when you click the newly added Spaces option. The directory will not only include spaces you’ve joined, but also discoverable spaces and restricted spaces you’ve been invited to, but have yet to join. Users also have an opportunity to preview the space contents before deciding to join by clicking on the “Preview” button next to each unjoined space.


Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why it’s important 

As the number of spaces within your organization continues to grow, we’re offering a better way for you to discover and find the exact space you're looking for, while also providing a path to join spaces for specific teams, projects, shared interests, and more. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: To search for a Space, type a query into the Gmail Search Box > hit enter > navigate to the Spaces results list. Spaces that you are not in, but can join will have “Preview” and “Join” buttons next to the search result. Visit the Help Center to learn more about searching for spaces by name on Gmail. 

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 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – July 22, 2022

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. 


Rollout improvements for future Google Chat launches 
Going forward, all major user-facing feature changes and improvements to Google Chat will follow a rollout schedule in which accounts under Rapid Release will see new features first, followed by accounts under the default setting of Scheduled Release, at least 1 week later. We hope this change makes it easier for you to plan for new Google Chat updates. As a reminder, Admins can choose which release track they want their accounts to follow. | Learn more. 

Series One Desk 27 now in production 
In September 2021, we announced Series One Desk 27, a premium all-in-one touchscreen Google Meet collaboration device. These devices are now in production and will be available for shipping soon. Contact Avocor for more information on ordering the Series One devices. | 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.


Making Google Chat active user metrics more detailed in the Admin console 
We’ve rolled out a new method for calculating active users in Google Chat across your organization that ensures greater accuracy for detecting a user's reading and sending actions in Chat. This will provide admins more accurate reporting. | Learn more. 

Control access to experimental Google Workspace apps with a new admin setting 
Admins can use the new Experimental Apps Control setting to grant or deny their users access to emerging or experimental Google applications and whether those applications can access core service data. | Learn more. 

Building larger spaces in Google Chat 
We've increased the amount of members you can add to a space in Google Chat from 400 to 8,000. | Learn more. 

Stay on top of changes to document content with edit notifications 
In Google Docs, you can now choose to receive email notifications for document changes on a per file basis. Edit notification emails detail what changes were made, when the changes were made, and who made them. | Learn more.

Allow Google Meet participants to ask questions or respond to polls anonymously 
In Google Meet, meeting participants will now have the option to ask questions or participate in polls anonymously. | Q&A is available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Education Plus and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers only. | Polls are available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Education Plus and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers and Google Workspace Individual users only. | Learn more. 

Delete Chat spaces and their content, now generally available 
You can now delete a named space in Google Chat. With this capability, a space manager can delete a space, which completely removes all owned contents of the space, space tasks, and files and attachments not saved elsewhere. | Learn more. 

Prevent spam by adding invitations from known senders only to your calendar 
You can now select an option to display events on your calendar only if they come from a sender you know to help keep your Calendar free from spam. | Learn more. 

Live stream Google Meet events via YouTube 
Google Workspace users can live stream meetings publicly via YouTube. |Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers only and Google One Premium plan members in select countries. | Learn more. 

Easily access your most used emojis in Google Chat 
In the Google Chat emoji picker, your most frequently used emojis can be found under the new “Frequently Used” section | Learn more. 

Programmatically manage and apply Drive Labels using new API functionality 
Developers can now programmatically manage labels at scale via Drive APIs. In addition to supporting the ability to read Drive Label taxonomies, new functionality in the Drive API can be used to apply labels, set fields on files, and find files by label metadata. | Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Education Standard, and Nonprofits customers only. | Learn more. 

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