Tag Archives: Google Chat

Improved search experience in Google Chat on Web

What’s changing 

We’ve improved the search experience in Google Chat, making it easier and more intuitive for you to surface and navigate to relevant conversations and spaces. 

Some improvements you’ll notice are: 

  • People suggestions based on your chat activity when you click into the search bar. 
  • Intelligent suggestions for people, spaces and group messages when you begin typing in the search bar.

Search suggestions in Google chat on Web

This update will be available only on Google Chat on the web (chat.google.com). 

Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why it’s important 

Suggestions as you type help reduce time spent on finding the right people and spaces you want to engage with. Additionally, this update brings the search experience inline with Google Chat on mobile and other Google Workspace apps such as Gmail or Google Drive. 

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about searching for messages or a space in Google Chat.

Rollout pace 

This feature is currently available 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – February 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 legacy G Suite customers. 



Japanese grammar suggestions for Google Docs 
You'll now see grammar suggestions as you type in Japanese in Docs. Grammar suggestions can help you write faster and more accurately. | 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. 



Manage overdue tasks in Google Calendar You can now easily see and manage your overdue tasks in Google Calendar. 
If you have uncompleted tasks that were due in the past 30 days, you will have an all day entry that will tell you how many tasks are pending from that timeframe. | Learn more. 



Participate in Google Meet polls and Q&As on Chromebase for meetings 
You can now participate in Google Meet polls and Q&As when joining from a Chromebase for meetings all-in-one touchscreen device. | Learn more.



The future of Currents and the next generation of collaboration in Spaces 
With Spaces now available, starting in 2023 we are planning to wind down Google Currents and bring remaining content and communities over to the new Spaces experience. | Learn more here and here. 



Google Voice calls between many European numbers are now included in Google Voice licenses
Beginning February 8, 2022, calls from European Google Voice numbers to mobile and landline numbers in many European countries will be included with the cost of the Google Voice license. | Learn more. 



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

New integrated view for Gmail features email, Google Meet, Google Chat and Spaces in one place

What’s changing 

We’re introducing a new, integrated view for Gmail, making it easy to move between critical applications like Gmail, Chat and Meet in one unified location.





We’ll introduce this new experience according to this timeline:



Beginning February 8, 2022: 
  • Users can opt-in to test the new experience, allowing them to try it out and become more accustomed to it. Users can revert to classic Gmail via settings. 
  • We will share an update on the Workspace Updates Blog, along with Help Center content, once rollout begins.

By April 2022: 
  • Users who have not opted-in will begin seeing the new experience by default, but can revert to classic Gmail via settings.

By the end of Q2 2022: 
  • This will become the standard experience for Gmail, with no option to revert back.
  • Around the same time, users will also begin seeing the new streamlined navigation experience on Chat web (mail.google.com/chat). 
  • Important Note: This also means users will not have the option to configure Chat to display on the right side of Gmail.




We will share more information on the exact timing of these phases on the Workspace Updates blog. See below for more information.



Who’s impacted

End users



Why you’d use it 

When enabled, the new navigation menu allows you to easily switch between your inbox, important conversations, and join meetings without having to switch between tabs or open a new window. 


Notification bubbles make it easy to stay on top of what immediately needs your attention. When working in Chat and Spaces, you can view a full list of conversations and Spaces within a single screen, making it easier to navigate to and engage. 


When working in your inbox, you’ll be able to view the full array of Mail and Label options currently available in Gmail today. 


In the coming months, you will also see email and chat results when using the search bar, making it easier to find what you need by eliminating the need to search within a specific product.



We hope this new experience makes it easier for you to stay on top of what’s important and get work done faster in a single, focused location. Further, this will help reduce the need to switch between various applications, windows, or tabs.


Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
  • End users: This feature will be OFF by default and can be enabled by the user from their Gmail settings. 

Rollout pace

  • Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 8, 2022
  • Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility starting on February 22, 2022

Note: We will share an update on the Workspace Updates Blog, along with Help Center content, once rollout begins.


Availability

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

See when a message is deleted in a Google Chat space

What’s changing 

Now when a user deletes a message in an unthreaded Google Chat Space, a message and timestamp will be added to the conversation indicating the deletion. When a message has been deleted, both the content and the replies are deleted. 



Notification when a message is deleted

Notification when a message is deleted

When a reply is deleted, only that reply and responses to it are removed. 


Notification when a reply is deleted

Notification when a reply is deleted

Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why it’s important 

This update makes it easier to keep track of who deleted a message and when, helping improve the readability and flow of a conversation, and provide additional context for users. 

Getting started 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Improved editing experience in Google Chat on the web

What’s changing 

You now can add rich formatting to Chat messages, such as bold, italics, or underlines. Rich text can also be accessed using standard keyboard shortcuts. 

Simply press the "A" icon in the chat compose bar to expand the formatting toolbar. 


Activating rich text editing from the compose bar

Activating rich text editing from the compose bar


Rich text editing is open and applied


Rich text editing is open and applied


Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why you’d use it 

Previously, Chat supported plain text or markdown characters only. With this update, users can easily format their text as needed directly in the compose bar. 

Getting started 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Quicker access to more Workspace integrations in Google Chat

Quick launch summary 

While you’re having a conversation in Google Chat, you can now more easily take actions in other Google Workspace products. Simply hover over the + icon to the start of the text box to quickly see and access the menu of options. These options vary by context, and can include Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, and Calendar. 

This will make it easier to take action across Google Workspace and enable a faster and more seamless workflow. This feature will be initially available on the Web and Android, with iOS available in early 2022. We’ll announce on the Workspace Updates Blog when the feature becomes available to iOS users.

Using compose on web

Using compose on web


Using compose on Android


Using compose on Android



Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more about how to use Google Chat. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers 

Resources 

Start and join meetings and audio calls from 1:1 chats using Google Chat in Gmail on mobile

What’s changing

You can now start or join meetings and audio calls from 1:1 chats in Google Chat in Gmail on Android and iOS. At the moment, this feature will be available for 1:1 chats only.

To ring someone directly, select the phone or video icon in the top right corner of a 1:1 chat.


 


To join a call, select the phone or video chip within the 1:1 chat. While on a call, you’ll see a banner of the person you’re on a call with, the call duration and a Meet icon in the chat roster.




Missed calls will be indicated with a red phone or video icon within the conversation and the chat roster.





Who’s impacted

End users


Why you’d use it

As some teams begin to return to office, while others remain distributed, we hope this makes it easier to connect with your colleagues in the hybrid work world. This feature will allow you to seamlessly switch between chat to a video or audio call when needed, helping you collaborate and move your work forward.


Additional details

While you can select “Join a call” from the Google Chat app, you will be redirected to the Gmail app, where the call will take place. If you do not have the Gmail app on your device, you’ll be prompted to download it via Google Play store or the App Store. We’ll provide an update on the Google Workspace Updates Blog when this feature becomes available for the Google Chat mobile app.


Getting started



Rollout pace



Availability

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

Resources


Start and join meetings and audio calls from 1:1 chats using Google Chat in Gmail on mobile

What’s changing

You can now start or join meetings and audio calls from 1:1 chats in Google Chat in Gmail on Android and iOS. At the moment, this feature will be available for 1:1 chats only.

To ring someone directly, select the phone or video icon in the top right corner of a 1:1 chat.


 


To join a call, select the phone or video chip within the 1:1 chat. While on a call, you’ll see a banner of the person you’re on a call with, the call duration and a Meet icon in the chat roster.




Missed calls will be indicated with a red phone or video icon within the conversation and the chat roster.





Who’s impacted

End users


Why you’d use it

As some teams begin to return to office, while others remain distributed, we hope this makes it easier to connect with your colleagues in the hybrid work world. This feature will allow you to seamlessly switch between chat to a video or audio call when needed, helping you collaborate and move your work forward.


Additional details

While you can select “Join a call” from the Google Chat app, you will be redirected to the Gmail app, where the call will take place. If you do not have the Gmail app on your device, you’ll be prompted to download it via Google Play store or the App Store. We’ll provide an update on the Google Workspace Updates Blog when this feature becomes available for the Google Chat mobile app.


Getting started



Rollout pace



Availability

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

Resources


Spaces in Google Chat can now be deleted

What’s changing 

We’re bringing the ability to delete a named space in Google Chat to the Google Workspace Business Standard and Business Starter editions. We plan to extend this capability to more Google Workspace editions next year. 

With this capability, creators of a space can fully delete it from Chat, which includes all owned contents of the space, room tasks, and files and attachments not saved elsewhere. In addition, members will no longer be able to access the space, its files, or the member list after it has been deleted. 


Deleting a space from the drop down menu

Deleting a space from the drop down menu

Who’s impacted

End users 

Why it’s important 

Through deletion, you can more easily navigate to and stay on top of your most relevant spaces and eliminate clutter in Google Chat. 

Additional details 

Important note: This feature is not available for Google Workspace editions that have Google Vault. If you upgrade from Google Workspace Business Standard or Business Starter to an edition that supports Google Vault, you will lose the ability to delete named Spaces. 

We anticipate that this feature will be available for all Google Workspace editions in 2022. We’ll provide an update on the Workspace Updates Blog when that becomes available. 

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin setting for this feature 
  • End users: This feature will be available by default. To delete a space, from the dropdown menu press "Delete Space". Only the creator of the room has this ability and will delete the space for everyone. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

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

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – November 5, 2021

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.


Updated emoji experience in Google Chat on iOS
It’s now easier to express yourself more authentically in Chat on iOS. We’re making the following updates to the emoji experience: The Emoji set is updated to the latest version (Emoji 13.1), reflecting the latest emoji set and diversity and inclusion options; Gender-neutral options for gender-modifiable emojis have been added; Emoji skin tone and gender preferences are saved per individual emoji. | Available to all Google Workspace and G Suite customers, as well as users with personal Google accounts.


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.


More easily add citations in Google Docs with new search and automated entry function
When adding citations in Google Docs, you can now search for books and online sources, then automatically populate some attributes for those sources.  | Learn more.



Refine search results in Google Drive with search chips, launching in beta
We’re launching a new beta for Google Drive that will help users refine their search and locate files faster using search chips. This beta will be available for all Google Workspace editions—eligible customers can use this form to express interest in the beta. | Learn more.



Enable advanced context-aware access to Google Workspace in the Admin console
You can now configure context-aware access (CAA) custom access levels using advanced attributes directly from the Google Workspace Admin console. You can use more advanced signals such as time/date restrictions, credential strength, Chrome browser attributes or verified ChromeOS as well as third-party signals via BeyondCorp Alliance partners. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus. Also available to Cloud Identity Premium customers. | Learn more.



Google Workspace Client-side encryption beta expanded to include Google Meet and Google Drive for desktop
We’re now expanding the client-side encryption beta to include desktop data for Google Meet and Google Drive. Additionally, key access service APIs are now publicly available for anyone to use. Lastly, we are adding two new Key access service partners (Fortanix, Stormshield) for customers looking for a dedicated partner that integrates with the key access service APIs. | Learn more.



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