Tag Archives: Other

Timeline to move users to new Google Contacts and shut down old Contacts

Over the next few months, we’ll completely replace old Google Contacts with new Google Contacts (also known as Contacts preview).

We launched new Contacts in 2015 to provide a modern, smart, and quick contact management experience. We’ve added many features since then and, with the recent launch of contacts delegation, new Contacts now has many comparable features from old Contacts, and more.

As a result, new Contacts will replace the older version, and it will be the only Google Contacts version after February 12, 2019. The replacement process will take place in three stages:

Stage 1: New admin-controlled defaults and user options

On November 28, 2018, we’ll change the Admin console setting that controls new Contacts. Currently, there’s a checkbox to enable new Contacts for your users. If you enable it, your users are moved to new Contacts but can opt out. On November 28, this setting will change to formally define a default version of Contacts for your organization. Your current setting will determine the impact of this change:

  • If you currently have new Contacts preview enabled, new Contacts will be the default and there will be no change for your users. Your users will stay using new Contacts with the option to revert back to old Contacts. If they previously opted out of new Contacts preview, they’ll remain opted out until stage 2 (see below).
  • If you don’t currently have new Contacts preview enabled, old Contacts will be the default but users will get a new option to try new Contacts. None of your users will be automatically upgraded to new Contacts, but all users will be able to opt in to new Contacts individually if they choose.
You can find and change the setting in the Admin console at Apps > G Suite > Directory > Sharing settings > Contacts Preview.

The setting to control new Contacts preview in the Admin console

Stage 2: All users upgraded to new Contacts, with the option to opt out

On January 15, 2019, new Contacts will automatically become the default version in your domain and we will remove the Admin console setting. When this happens, all users still using old Contacts will be moved to new Contacts. You won’t be able to change this for your organization, but individual users will still be able to revert back to old Contacts if they want until stage 3 (see below).

Stage 3: All users upgraded to new Contacts, old Contacts turned off

On February 12, 2019, old Contacts will be turned off completely, and any remaining users will be moved to new Contacts. There will be no option to use the old version.

Launch Details
Release track:
All stages launching to both Rapid Release and Scheduled Release

Editions:
Available to all G Suite editions

Rollout pace:
Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) for all stages

Impact:
Admins and end users

Action:
Admin action suggested/FYI


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An update on the GData Admin Settings API shutdown

Last year, we announced that we’re shutting down the GData Admin Settings API on October 31, 2018. As previously communicated, the following features will be shut down or replaced on that date:

Admin Settings API
Endpoint
Replacement (if any)
/defaultLanguage
Directory API: Customers
/organizationName
Directory API: Customers
/currentNumberOfUsers
no replacement / discontinued
/maximumNumberOfUsers
no replacement / discontinued
/accountInformation/supportPIN
no replacement / discontinued
/accountInformation/customerPIN
no replacement / discontinued
/accountInformation/adminSecondaryEmail
Directory API: Customers
/accountInformation/edition
no replacement / discontinued
/accountInformation/creationTime
Directory API: Customers
/accountInformation/countryCode
Directory API: Customers
All endpoints
no replacement / discontinued
All endpoints
no replacement from Google / any publicly available domain verification APIs can be used


Single Sign-on (SSO) settings and Gateway and routing settings features not yet shutting down

We’re still working on replacements for the following features:

Monitor the G Suite Updates blog to learn about these replacements when they launch. Note that we’ll continue to support these features for at least 12 months after their replacements become available.


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Email Settings API to be shut down on October 16, 2019

In 2016, we announced the deprecation of the Email Settings API in the Admin SDK and encouraged people to use the Gmail API instead. This is a reminder that we’re planning to turn down the Email Settings API on October 16, 2019, at which point any requests to the API will fail.

We recommend using the Gmail API, which has replacements for most Email Settings API endpoints. This includes the ability to manage Gmail delegate settings, which just launched earlier this month.

Please note that the Web Clips and General Settings features don’t have replacements in the Gmail API; a replacement for the Language Settings feature is planned for Q1 2019.

If you haven’t done so already, we suggest migrating to the Gmail API as soon as possible. You can use this guide to help you transition.

More Information
Gmail API Guide: Migrating from the Email Settings API


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Alerts for government-backed attacks to be sent by default starting October 10th

In August, we launched the option for G Suite admins to receive a security alert if we believed their users were being targeted by a government-backed attack. At the time, admins had to explicitly enable these alerts. We heard that many admins weren’t aware of this alert and so weren’t receiving this critical information. As a result, we’re going to turn these alerts ON for most admins starting October 10th, 2018.

Admins will receive a security alert if we believe their users are being targeted by a government-backed attack.

You’ll still have the option to turn these alerts OFF by navigating to Reports > Manage alerts > Government-backed attack warning in the Admin console—or you can simply opt out any time you receive an alert email.

You can disable these alerts in the Admin console.

Note that if you previously enabled and then disabled these alerts, they will remain off. If you’d prefer not to receive these alerts after October 10th, simply turn them on and then off again in the Admin console prior to that date. We won’t override alert preferences that have been explicitly changed prior to October 10th.

Launch Details
Release track: 
Launching to both Rapid Release and Scheduled Release on October 10th, 2018

Editions:
Available to all G Suite editions

Rollout pace:
Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility)

Impact:
Admins only

Action:
Admin action suggested/FYI

More Information
G Suite Updates blog: Control government-backed attack alerts in G Suite
Help Center: Fix or stop government-backed attack alerts


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What’s New in G Suite – September 2018

Google Device Policy app ending support for iOS 8.0 soon

The next release of the Google Device Policy app (version 3.04) won’t support mobile devices running iOS version 8.0 or lower. If your organization has advanced mobile device management (MDM) enabled, your users must upgrade to iOS version 9.0 or higher to access new MDM features or if they need to download the Device Policy app for the first time.

We’re planning to release version 3.04 of the Device Policy app as early as next week. Please encourage your users to upgrade their iOS devices as soon as possible to avoid any disruption to their work.

More Information
Help Center: Minimum device requirements 

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New intelligent file suggestions and organization with Priority in Drive Beta

We’re adding a new page in Google Drive’s left-hand navigation panel that helps you find and take action on the right Drive files at the right time. This Priority page uses machine learning to suggest files you might need to work on and has “workspaces” to help you organize files. Priority in Drive is initially available in beta. See below for more details.

See files and comments that need attention

The goal of Priority is to put your most important files in one place. Using machine learning, we identify the files that are high-priority for you to work on. When you open the page, you’ll see those files, along with comments and suggested actions. You’ll be able to reply to some comments directly through the Drive interface and open full documents with one click. This will help you spend less time searching for content and more time doing work that matters.

Use workspaces to organize files without moving them

The Priority page also organizes files into workspaces. These let you gather a private set of working files for ongoing easy access. Adding files to a workspace doesn’t affect their storage location or permissions—it just aggregates files to help you find them faster. Our studies show most users only work with around 10–20 files at any given time. Workspaces help make sure you can get to those files more efficiently. To build your workspace, you can use Drive's intelligent file suggestions or add files manually.


With the Priority page, Drive is helping you save time and focus on what matters by intelligently surfacing and organizing the files you may need in any given moment.

Apply to join the Priority in Drive Beta

Priority in Drive is launching initially in beta. Admins can see more details, review the eligibility requirements, and apply for their domains to join at this link.



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