Tag Archives: Google Chat

View richer information about your coworkers directly in the sidebar for Google Chat, Calendar, Docs, and more.

Quick launch summary 

You can now find and view additional information about people within your organization, your Contacts, and more across additional Google Workspace products. This information includes: 

  • Contact information, such as phone number and email address,  
  • Team and manager, 
  • Office and desk location, 
  • Whether you’ve received email from them before, and more. 

This feature is already available for Gmail, and will now be available from the following products: Google Chat, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Getting started 

  • Admins: To maximize this feature, it’s helpful to have user data fully populated across Google Workspace apps. Workspace admins can populate this data in a few locations: 
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Click “Open Detailed View” while hovering over a user’s information card, or select the Contacts icon in the side panel. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google products side by side. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

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

Resources 

View richer information about your coworkers directly in the sidebar for Google Chat, Calendar, Docs, and more.

Quick launch summary 

You can now find and view additional information about people within your organization, your Contacts, and more across additional Google Workspace products. This information includes: 

  • Contact information, such as phone number and email address,  
  • Team and manager, 
  • Office and desk location, 
  • Whether you’ve received email from them before, and more. 

This feature is already available for Gmail, and will now be available from the following products: Google Chat, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Getting started 

  • Admins: To maximize this feature, it’s helpful to have user data fully populated across Google Workspace apps. Workspace admins can populate this data in a few locations: 
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Click “Open Detailed View” while hovering over a user’s information card, or select the Contacts icon in the side panel. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google products side by side. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – September 21, 2021

New updates 


New look and feel for Workspace Updates email subscriptions 
Starting September 29, we're going to be improving the look and feel of the emails you receive when you subscribe to Workspace Updates. 
  • The emails themselves will be sent from [email protected], so be sure to update any inbox filters or labels you may have and check your spam folders if you don't immediately see them. 
  • Emails for the Workspace Updates Blog in non-English markets will update to this new format in the coming weeks. 
  • If you have any feedback about these emails after September 29th, please feel back to let us know in the linked form. 
Full rollout (1-3 days for availability). | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. | Workspace Updates Blog Email Subscription Feedback



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.

Upgrade to the newest version of the Google Chat app
We’ve recently released a new version of this app. Users who are still on the older Chat PWA version and will see an in-app banner nudging them to upgrade by visiting chat.google.com. | Learn more.



Improved visibility in Google Meet on web
Google Meet on the web now automatically detects when a user appears underexposed and enhances the brightness to improve their visibility. | Learn more.



Control the ability to present to Google Meet from Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides with a new Admin setting
Admins can turn the ability to present from Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides directly to Google Meet on or off for their organization with a new setting. | Learn more.



One-click recommended actions in the Alert Center
In the Alert Center, Admins will see new one-click recommended actions for various alerts, which they can implement without leaving the Alert Center. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus customers. | Learn more.



Improved Search In Gmail on Android
You can now quickly and easily filter email and search results on Android mobile devices to find the one specific email or information you’re looking for with new search filters. | Learn more.



New graphs for metrics over time in Meet Quality Tool
We’ve added detailed metrics over time for endpoints in Meet Quality Tool, which will help admins perform more advanced troubleshooting. | Learn more.



Perform refined email searches with new rich filters in Gmail on web
When searching in Gmail on web, enhanced search chips will provide richer drop-down lists with more options that help you apply additional filters. | Learn more.



Easily chat with meeting participants from a Google Calendar event
Within the Calendar event on web or mobile, you’ll see a Chat icon next to the guest list — simply select this icon to create a group chat containing all event participants. | Learn more.



Ability to mute all Google Meet participants at once rolling out to mobile platforms
Earlier this year, we announced the ability for meeting hosts to mute everyone all at once in Google Meet on desktops/laptop devices. This feature has begun rolling out to iOS devices, with Android availability coming later this year. | Learn more.



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

Easily chat with meeting participants from a Google Calendar event

What’s changing 

We’re adding an option that makes it easy to chat with meeting attendees directly from Google Calendar. Within the Calendar event on web or mobile, you’ll see a Chat icon next to the guest list — simply select this icon to create a group chat containing all event participants. Please note: this only applies to participants within your organization, external attendees are not included in the chat group.This makes it simple to chat with guests before, during, or after any meeting. 

Chat with event attendees directly from the Calendar event on mobile devices

Chat with event attendees directly from the Calendar event on mobile devices


Chat with event attendees directly from the Calendar event on web

Chat with event attendees directly from the Calendar event on web


Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why you’d use it 

Previously, the main way to communicate with Calendar event attendees was via email. However, there are times when Chat may be preferred to email for communication. For example, sending a message that you’re running late, or sharing resources with attendees not long before the meeting starts. Now, the email and chat options are side by side on the calendar event. This can help you quickly choose whichever form of communication you prefer, and start conversations with just a few taps. When combined with Chat suggestions, it’s always easy to communicate with event participants via chat. 


Getting started 

Rollout pace 

On the web: 

On mobile: 

Availability 

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

Resources

Upgrade to the newest version of the Google Chat app

Quick launch summary

Last year, we introduced the new Google Chat Progressive Web Application (PWA), which provides a fast, reliable, and engaging way to use Chat on any desktop device with the Google Chrome web browser. We’ve recently released a new version of this app.

While most users have already been automatically upgraded to the new app, a small number of users are still on the older Chat PWA version and will see an in-app banner nudging them to upgrade by visiting chat.google.com.

PWA banner
Banner to upgrade to the newest version of the Chat PWA


The banner will read “You are using an old version of Chat. You need to uninstall this old version first, then visit www.chat.google.com to install the new version.”

Beginning September 27, 2021, users who have not yet upgraded will no longer be able to use their previously installed Chat app. Instead, they’ll see a screen directing them to upgrade to the new version of Google Chat.

Screen telling users the old PWA is no longer available
Screen users will see when the old PWA version is no longer available


If users already have the new version of the app available but are still using the old app, they will simply see a screen asking them to uninstall this old version.

Screen shown to users who have installed the new PWA version but try to access the old version once it is no longer available
Screen shown to users that already have the new app, when the old PWA version is no longer available

Getting started


Rollout pace

Availability

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

Resources

New iOS Data Protection setting for Google Chat protects data sharing between Google Workspace and personal Google accounts

What’s changing 

Earlier this year, we announced a new admin setting which restricts data and content sharing between Google Workspace accounts and personal Google accounts in Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides on iOS. We’re now expanding this to include Google Chat. With data protection, users can only share or save content—such as files, emails, chat messages, or copied & pasted content—within Google Workspace accounts. This will protect users from sharing a Chat message with their personal Google accounts or saving data to their personal account. 


Sharing to personal Chat account can be blocked by admins



Admins can turn off sharing from company to personal Chat accounts

Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why it’s important 

Google applications on iOS support multi-user logins, allowing users to access Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Chat and Slides with their personal and Google Workspace accounts. Giving admins the ability to control how data is shared across user accounts helps minimize accidental data sharing. Together with the previously released copy and paste and drag and drop restrictions and protections against data sharing between Google Workspace and personal Google accounts, these measures expand data protection coverage and help increase the security of your corporate data on iOS. 


Getting started 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Roadmap 

New iOS Data Protection setting for Google Chat protects data sharing between Google Workspace and personal Google accounts

What’s changing 

Earlier this year, we announced a new admin setting which restricts data and content sharing between Google Workspace accounts and personal Google accounts in Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides on iOS. We’re now expanding this to include Google Chat. With data protection, users can only share or save content—such as files, emails, chat messages, or copied & pasted content—within Google Workspace accounts. This will protect users from sharing a Chat message with their personal Google accounts or saving data to their personal account. 


Sharing to personal Chat account can be blocked by admins



Admins can turn off sharing from company to personal Chat accounts

Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why it’s important 

Google applications on iOS support multi-user logins, allowing users to access Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Chat and Slides with their personal and Google Workspace accounts. Giving admins the ability to control how data is shared across user accounts helps minimize accidental data sharing. Together with the previously released copy and paste and drag and drop restrictions and protections against data sharing between Google Workspace and personal Google accounts, these measures expand data protection coverage and help increase the security of your corporate data on iOS. 


Getting started 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Roadmap 

Google Chat ‘Rooms’ are now ‘Spaces’

Quick launch summary 

In June 2021, we announced that ‘Rooms’ in Google Chat would evolve to become ‘Spaces’. As part of that evolution, starting on September 8, 2021, any user who has enabled Chat in their Gmail settings will start to see the term ‘Rooms’ automatically updated to ‘Spaces’. 

Over the coming months, spaces will be enhanced with a number of new features such as in-line topic threading, discoverable spaces, and enhanced user roles and moderation. Read more about the upcoming spaces experience. 


Getting started 


Rollout pace 

Availability 

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

Resources 

Roadmap 

Find and share GIFs in Google Chat

What’s changing

We’re introducing a new integration with Tenor, which will allow users to quickly search for and send GIFs in Google Chat on web.

Additionally, we’re introducing a new setting for Admins to control the use of this GIF integration within their organization.

See below for more information.


Who’s impacted

Admins and end users


Why you’d use it

The new Tenor integration makes it faster and easier for users to find and share GIFs when interacting with colleagues.  


Easily find and share GIFs
We’ve made improvements to the way users find and share GIFs in Chat. You’ll notice a new “GIF” icon, which will bring up an expanded window for browsing GIFs. 


Here, users  can find GIFs through search or by filtering on popular categories such as “Trending”. 


Admins can enable or disable this GIF integration in the Admin console by going to Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Google Chat > GIFs. This integration is enabled by default for all customers. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning GIFs on or off in Google Chat.


Getting started

  • Admins: Important note: Admins will see this setting beginning September 1, 2021, allowing one week to configure the setting before the end user experience begins rolling out. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning GIFs on or off for your organization.
  • End users: When enabled by your admin, you can find and insert GIFs by selecting the “GIF” icon in the Google Chat compose bar.

Rollout pace

Admin setting

End user experience 

Availability

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

Set the Google Chat standalone app to run automatically at startup

Quick launch summary

You can now configure the Chat Progressive Web Application (PWA) to "Start app when you sign in" to your computer. This can be done on your Windows, MAC OS or Linux computer by going to chrome://apps, right clicking on Google Chat and then choosing "Start app when you sign in."

App starter window with right-click menu options on Google Chat app
Right click on the Chat app to select this new option


Please note, ​this feature is not supported on Chrome OS.

If you don't have the Chat PWA app already, you’ll first have to install the Chat PWA app.

Before this launch, you’d have to manually start the Chat PWA app by searching for and clicking on it every time you restart your computer. With the new feature, you can simply choose to launch the PWA app at system startup every time.

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. Once turned on, the Chat PWA app will automatically start when the user logs into their computer.

Rollout pace

  • This feature is available now for all users.

Availability

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

Resources