G Suite Updates

This official feed from the Google Workspace team provides essential information about new features and improvements for Google Workspace customers.

  1. New Google Calendar shortcuts improve glanceability for screen reader users

    What’s changing 

    In addition to the improved announcements for braille comments and highlights available in Google Docs on Web, and the recent launch of more control over accessibility preferences, we’re introducing Announce Shortcuts for Calendar event details. 

    Users of screen readers can now type a keyboard shortcut that verbalizes the content of an event, such as the title, date and time, guest list, and much more. These shortcuts greatly improve glanceability because they enable Calendar details to be heard on demand instead of time consuming navigation through information. 


    Getting started 

    • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
    • End users: 
      • To view keyboard shortcuts in Calendar, type: 
        • Ctrl+/ on Windows and ChromeOS 
        • Cmd+/ on Mac 
      • Use the following keyboard combinations to access Announce Shortcuts: 
        • Alt+ for Windows 
        • Alt+Shift+ for ChromeOS 
        • Option+ for Mac 
      • Visit the Help Center to learn more about using a screen reader with Google Calendar. 

    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 


    Roadmap 

    • This feature was listed as an upcoming release.

  2. Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - September 23, 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.


    Introducing new spacing feature on Google Sites
    In addition to adjusting the spacing between content in Sites using a new density theme setting, you're now able to use spacers to add empty space to your Sites in specific places. | Learn more. 



    Updated Apps Script integrated development environment will replace the legacy experience by Q4 2022 
    By the end of Q3 2022, we will begin turning down the legacy experience. Beginning Q4 2022, the new IDE will become the default experience with no option to revert. | Learn more.


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

  3. Updated Apps Script integrated development environment will replace the legacy experience by Q4 2022

    What’s changing 

    In December 2020, we announced an updated and improved experience for the Apps Script integrated development environment (IDE). Since then, it has been possible to access the legacy IDE. By the end of Q3 2022, we will begin turning down the legacy experience. Beginning Q4 2022, the new IDE will become the default experience with no option to revert. 


    Who’s impacted 

    Admins and developers 


    Why it’s important 

    Apps Script is a rapid application development platform that makes it fast and easy to create custom business solutions that integrate with Google Workspace and that increase the power of apps including Calendar, Docs, Drive, Gmail, Sheets, and Slides. With this launch, we’ve revamped the cloud-based IDE that helps you create, edit, and manage projects. The new IDE simplifies the experience of developing for Google Workspace — for more information, see our original announcement, as well as additional features we announced in April 2022 to reach parity with the legacy experience. 


    Getting started 



    Rollout pace 



    Availability 

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

    Resources 

  4. Introducing new spacing feature on Google Sites

    What’s changing 

    In addition to adjusting the spacing between content in Sites using a new density theme setting, you're now able to use spacers to add empty space to your Sites in specific places. 

    This feature provides more flexibility, especially when designing a vertical layout, and generally makes template and webpage design much easier. 
    insert spacer

    Getting started 

    • Admins:There is no admin control for this feature. 
    • End users: In a Site, add spacers by clicking on the “Spacer” link from the Insert panel on the right. Visit the Help Center to learn more about adding a spacer between elements. 

    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 

  5. 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 began September 15, 2022 and is expected to be completed by October 3, 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).

  6. 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 

  7. Easily share Google Meet artifacts with co-hosts

    What’s changing 

    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. 


    To share meeting artifacts directly with the co-hosts, the primary meeting host needs to: 
    • Specify co-hosts when creating a meeting on their Calendar event 
    • Select the “call artifacts are shared with the host and co-host you add here” option when adding co-hosts in Google Calendar 



    Additional details

    • If you promote someone to a co-host during an ongoing meeting, they won’t get Meeting Artifacts for that particular meeting. You must add them as a co-host when you set up or edit the event in Google Calendar. 
    • If a participant’s co-host status is removed during the meeting, they still get Meeting Artifacts. They won't receive artifacts for any future meetings that use the same code. 
    • Co-hosts added to a series of ongoing meetings get Meeting Artifacts for future meetings that use the same code. 
    • For Google Classroom meetings, all co-teachers are recognized as co-hosts and automatically get Meeting Artifacts. Their co-host status can’t be removed within Google Classroom. If a user is removed as a co-teacher, they no longer receive meeting artifacts. 

    Getting started 


    Rollout pace 


    Availability 

    • 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 
    • Not available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 

    Resources 

  8. New Google endpoint management setting to show both personal and work entries in Google Calendar on Android devices

    Quick launch summary 

    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. 





    Users with multiple accounts can easily switch accounts when using the Google Calendar app on a mobile device. This helps users manage multiple accounts more easily, and ensures consistency across Workspace apps. 


    Now, admins in organizations that use endpoint management will be able to determine whether this feature makes sense for their users and turn it on/off as desired. They can also choose to delay the feature promotion for their users, depending on the change management plan. 


    Getting started 

    • Admins: 
      • This feature will be OFF by default and can be enabled at the domain level. To enable cross-profile calendar visibility in the Admin console, go to Apps > Web and mobile apps > Google Calendar > Connected App configuration and select “Allow viewing of personal calendar entries in work profile (work profile devices only).” 
      • You can turn off the promotion of this feature to end users here. If you don’t turn off the promotion of this feature, it will be shown to users starting on October 26, 2022. 
    • End users: This feature will be OFF by default. It can be enabled by the user on their device. Please note, you must use Android Work Profile on Android 11+ devices to use this feature. We strongly recommend the latest software updates for the best experience. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning cross-profile support in Calendar on or off. 

    Rollout pace 

    Admin Setting 
    • Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 12, 2022 
    • Note: If you don’t turn off the promotion of this feature, it will be shown to users starting on October 26, 2022.

    Availability 

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

    Resources 

  9. 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).

  10. Updating framing options for Google Meet hardware in the Admin console

    What’s changing 

    We’ve recently announced updates to framing on Google Meet hardware devices, such as improving the discoverability of the “Frame people” feature and improving the overall stability of the framing experience. 


    As we continue to roll out framing and Meet hardware improvements, the Admin console will be updated accordingly. 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. This helps ensure that each Meet hardware device uses settings that are best suited for the room and participants.

    Getting started 

    • Admins:There is no admin action required. We will provide an update on the Workspace Updates Blog when the new admin controls are implemented. 
    • End users: No action required, this change will happen automatically. Note: This feature is not available when other devices, such as a webcam, are plugged into a meeting hardware kit. 


    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