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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 9, 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.  

Dual pane view on Keep
In addition to Drag out from Keep and a number of other features supporting the mission to provide a top-class user experience on large screen devices, we’re introducing Dual pane view on Keep. This allows you to browse Keep notes on the left side of your screen, while editing content on the right side of your screen. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains began September 8, 2022 at a Gradual pace (up to 15 days for feature visibility). | Learn more. 

dual pane on keep

Multi-instance support on Docs, Sheets & Slides
Get better insight into your files by having two windows open side-by-side. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains began September 7, 2022 at a Gradual pace (up to 15 days for feature visibility). | Learn more. 

View information about recipients on Android
While using the Gmail app on Android devices, you can now view details about a person, such as their phone number or email address, by tapping their name or avatar when composing an email. | This is now available to all users. 

Upon tapping Elisa's image or name, more information will appear 

Keep contacts up to date with fewer clicks
You can now edit someone’s contact information from their information card in apps like Gmail, Calendar, Voice, and Docs on your Android device. Upon clicking the edit button, you will be prompted to make updates in the Contacts app. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains began September 7, 2022 at an Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility). 

contact edit

Notification permission now required for devices running Android 13
Upon upgrading to the latest platform release, Android 13, you will have to explicitly accept notification permissions to receive Chat notifications. | Roll out to all Android users began September 9, 2022 at a Gradual pace (up to 15 days for feature visibility). | 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. 

Calendar User Availability API launching to beta soon, sign-up now and preview documentation in advance
There is an upcoming beta available for the Calendar User Availability API that can be used to programmatically access the working location feature in Google Calendar. Access the beta through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program. | While all developers will be able to use the API, apps created using the API are accessible to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade and Nonprofits customers, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers only. | Learn more. 

Scaling our Calendar Interop offering
Admins can now configure multiple role accounts in the Calendar Interop Admin console. This will provide support for a higher number of requests and enable Calendar Interop to work more seamlessly at scale. | Learn more. 

Updating framing options for Google Meet hardware in the Admin console
Over the coming weeks, we will replace the current continuous framing setting with the option to set default framing options based on the camera capabilities of the device — such as the option to frame people by default and speaker or group framing, which will be introduced in the future. | Available for all supported Google Meet hardware devices that have not yet reached their auto-update expiration date. | Learn more. 


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

Calendar User Availability API launching to beta soon, sign-up now and preview documentation in advance

What’s changing 

Coming soon to beta, the Calendar User Availability API will be used to programmatically access the working location feature in Google Calendar. You can gain access to the beta through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program. 


You can preview the API documentation now to prepare in advance and share your initial feedback as we move closer to beta.




Who’s impacted 

Admins and developers 


Why you’d use it 

The working location feature is an easy way for users to share where they’ll be working for any given day or period of time. Up until now, only end users could create these calendar entries. Now, this information can be read and written using an API to manage and accommodate the needs of your employees. 


Customers rely on other applications to set their location context, such as booking a desk with hot desk booking tools or requesting and setting “work from home” days in HR management tools. This creates duplicative work for end users. With the API, a user’s working location can be programmatically set or accessed directly from the user’s calendar to any other third-party application. 


Additionally, by surfacing working location context into other systems and tools like internal team directories, customers can optimize the flow of people in their physical office locations. Or you can use the API to prepare for the demand of dining services, conference rooms, and more, based on this data. 


Getting started 


Availability 

While all developers will be able to use the API, apps created using the API are only accessible to those on eligible Workspace editions: 
  • Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade and Nonprofits customers, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers 
  • Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Frontline, G Suite Basic customers 

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 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – August 26, 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. 


To unmute yourself, press and hold the spacebar. To mute again, release the spacebar. 
To quickly unmute yourself during a meeting, you can now hold down the spacebar to be unmuted, then release the spacebar to return to a muted state. We hope this makes it even easier for you to participate in your meetings by quickly unmuting to say something. This feature will also help in situations where you forget to mute again after unmuting yourself. This feature is OFF by default and can be enabled in the Google Meet settings. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains begins September 9, 2022 at a Gradual pace (up to 15 days for feature visibility). | Available to all Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts on all web browsers. | 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.


Updated “Hey Google” voice control behavior for Google Meet hardware devices 
We’ve changed how the “Hey Google” voice control works for Google Meet hardware devices. With this update, the Google assistant will only be active when a device is not in a meeting and within 10 minutes of an upcoming meeting. | Available for all supported Google Meet hardware devices that have not yet reached their auto-update expiration date. | Learn more. 

Upgrade to OAuth 2.0 to continue using Calendar Interop by October 1, 2022 
On October 1, 2022, Microsoft will begin to remove the ability to use Basic authentication in Exchange Online for Exchange Web Services. To continue using Calendar Interop, upgrade to OAuth 2.0 authentication before October 1, 2022. | Impacting Workspace customers using Calendar Interop with Basic authentication on Microsoft Office 365. | Learn more. 

Adding more flexibility to functions in Sheets 
We’ve introduced named functions, a new feature that allows you to create high-performance custom functions that support built-in Sheets formula constructs. | Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, and Education Plus customers only. | Learn more. 

More ways to collaborate using visitor sharing in Google Drive 
You can now use visitor sharing to allow non-Google users to upload content or create files within shared drives owned by organizations and users on Google Workspace. | Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Education Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus customers only. | Learn more. 

Easily search for Chat spaces in Gmail 
We’ve introduced the ability to find and join spaces through Gmail search on web. | Learn more. 


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

Upgrade to OAuth 2.0 to continue using Calendar Interop by October 1, 2022

What’s changing

In 2020, we announced the support of OAuth2.0 to ensure Calendar Interop continues to be available after Microsoft’s disablement of basic authentication in Exchange Online. On October 1, 2022, Microsoft will begin to remove the ability to use Basic authentication in Exchange Online for Exchange Web Services. This will impact Workspace customers using Calendar Interop with Basic authentication on Microsoft Office 365 to allow Microsoft Exchange and Google Calendar to work together. 

To continue using Calendar Interop, upgrade to OAuth 2.0 authentication before October 1, 2022. 

MSFT authentication deprecation





Who’s impacted 

This only impacts Microsoft Exchange Online implementations (Microsoft 365). If you currently use an on-premise Exchange implementation, then no action is needed. 


Why you’d use it 

Calendar Interop enables Microsoft Exchange and Google Calendar users to view availability statuses and calendar resources (such as meeting rooms) across both systems. 


Additional details 




Getting started 

Availability 

Resources 

Updated “Hey Google” voice control behavior for Google Meet hardware devices

What’s changing 

We’re changing how the “Hey Google” voice control works for Google Meet hardware devices. With this update, the Google assistant will only be active when a device is not in a meeting and within 10 minutes of an upcoming meeting. Not having “Hey Google” active during meetings will help reduce accidental activation. 


We’re also expanding the devices that will be able to support the “Hey Google” voice control to include Logitech Rally Bar, Logitech Rally Bar Mini and the upcoming launch of the Series One Desk 27. 



Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 



Why it’s important 

We know “Hey Google” voice control provides an easy and convenient way to join an upcoming meeting, or to help improve accessibility for users. However, we’ve heard from our customers that due to the increase in teams transitioning to hybrid meetings, the “Hey Google” control can unintentionally be triggered during meetings. We hope this improvement helps reduce any accidental disruptions during your calls. 



Additional details 

Because “Hey Google” will only be active when there is an upcoming meeting, the end user toggle has been removed to ensure the hardware device is in the expected default state for future use. 




Getting started 

  • Admins: Admins will still be able to enable or disable voice control in the admin console at a device level. 
  • End users: There is no end user action required. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Available for all supported Google Meet hardware devices that have not yet reached their auto-update expiration date 

Resources: 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – August 19, 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.



Improved quality and performance for Google Meet effects on the web 
Background effects are now more accurate for Google Meet users on the web. This allows you to experience more accurate background blur, background replace, and immersive background and styles. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus customers, and Workspace Individual users on eligible devices in eligible countries (Northern America, Europe, Northern Africa, Central Asia, Southeastern Asia). Visit the Help Center to learn more about availability. | Learn more. 

More control over accessibility preferences in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings 
You’re now able to set preferences for Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings individually, rather than having the same accessibility settings apply across these products. | Learn more. 

Updated user interface for managing email quarantines 
In the coming weeks, you will see a new user interface when using the email quarantine tool. This brings the email quarantine experience inline with other tools in the Admin console, making it more intuitive to navigate and use. | Learn more. 

See how much noise is being removed during Google Meet video calls 
Google Meet can now remove background noises such as typing, construction sounds, or background chatter. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Workspace Individual customers only. | Learn more. 

Conveniently connect site visitors with social channels in new Sites 
Site editors can now insert stylized social media links into pages within their site, enabling you to more conveniently connect site visitors with additional information and content on your social channels. | Learn more. 

Enhancements to the “Frame people” feature on Google Meet hardware devices 
We’ve introduced two enhancements on Google Meet hardware devices for the “Frame people” feature: 
  • The “Frame people” feature is now more easily discoverable and can be accessed in a meeting from the touch panel in fewer steps. 
  • A solution to a recent bug impacting the auto framing capability for some Google Meet hardware devices. The auto framing functionality has been restored to impacted devices with improved reliability and performance. 
Available to all supported Google Meet hardware devices that have not yet reached their auto-update expiration date. | Learn more. 

New color categorization in Calendar to better understand how you’re spending your time 
You can now categorize your time by naming and assigning a corresponding color label to an event within Time Insights in Calendar. | Available to Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus and Nonprofits customers only. | Learn more. 

Easily assign Tasks from Google Docs 
In Google Docs, you can now assign a checklist item to yourself or a colleague that will then show up in the assignee’s Tasks list. | Learn more. 


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