Google Workspace Updates: 2022

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - August 12, 2022

Friday, August 12, 2022

New updatesUnless 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.

Delegate access to a shared inbox using a group address

You can now give an entire Google Group access to your Gmail account through mail delegation. With this feature, delegated users can read, send, and delete messages on the account owner's behalf. We hope this will enable teams to more effectively process incoming requests and tasks via a single shared email address. | Available to Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Frontline, Nonprofits, and legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers only. | Learn more.

Granular controls for app allowlisting in the Google Workspace Marketplace

Admins can now choose which Google Workspace Marketplace apps are available to be installed by users in a particular department (OU) or group by managing Marketplace apps on their allowlist. Previously, admins could only manage the allowlist for an entire domain. Additionally, the Marketplace apps access settings, Allow all apps, Allow selected apps, and Block all apps, can now be set for your entire organization or for an OU or group. This new functionality provides a solution when only a subset of domain users need permissions to install certain Marketplace apps. Examples include Chat apps required for your Engineering organization and IT security group or Classroom add-ons required for high-school teachers. | Available to Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Frontline, Nonprofits, and legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers only. | Learn more.

Seamlessly delete subsets of Sites

Site editors can now delete a page with subpages and delete pages that were copied into another site during a partial site copy. | Roll out to Rapid Release began August 8, 2022; launch to Scheduled Release planned for August 29, 2022. | 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.

Office Building support for Working Locations

We’ve added the ability to select a specific office building as your working location. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Nonprofits, and legacy G Suite Business customers only. | Learn more.

Improving data privacy with Client-side encryption for Google Meet

We’ve added Workspace Client-side encryption to Google Meet, giving customers increased control over their data. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus customers hosting client-side encrypted calls only. | Learn more.

Stronger protection for sensitive Google Workspace account actions

There are now stronger safeguards for sensitive actions taken in your Google Workspace account. These apply to actions that, when done by hijackers, can have far reaching consequences for the account owner or the organization it belongs to. | Learn more.

The Google Meet and Google Duo app icons are changing, additional information for Google Workspace users

As part of the announcement that we are upgrading the Duo experience to include all Google Meet features, users will now begin to see their app name and icon update to Google Meet. | Learn more.

Better location context for events and RSVPs in Calendar

We’ve made it even easier to use RSVPs in Google Calendar and let others know how you’re planning to join a meeting. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, Teaching & Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits, and legacy G Suite Business customers only. | Learn more.

Improved notifications when editing Microsoft Office files in Docs, Sheets, and Slides

We’ve rolled out a series of improvements to the notifications you see when editing a Microsoft Office-formatted file with Office editing mode. | Learn more.

Unified experience for Gmail logs in BigQuery, configure your existing Gmail logs to route to Workspace logs

In the coming months, we will move the location of the existing Gmail logs in BigQuery to Google Workspace logs and reports in BigQuery. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Education Standard customers only. | Learn more.

Google Meet call control for USB peripheral devices

We've introduced additional call control for Google Meet which will allow you to toggle between mute and unmute using headsets, speaker microphones, and other USB peripheral devices. | Learn more.

Control visibility of admin alerts with admin role privileges

There is a new control that allows super admins to create a custom rule which ensures only admins with the DLP privilege can see DLP alerts. | Learn more.

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

Control visibility of admin alerts with admin role privileges

Friday, August 12, 2022

What’s changing We’re introducing a new control that allows super admins to create a custom rule which ensures only admins with the DLP privilege can see DLP alerts. Previously, DLP alerts were visible to all admins — this change helps ensure the right people have access to list, update, or delete alerts. Further, this cuts down on the visibility of alerts that aren’t relevant to specific admins.

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about using the alert center, granting access to the alert center, and admin roles.
End users: There is no end user impact.

Rollout pace

This feature is available now for all users.

Availability

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

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Grant access to the alert center
Google Workspace Admin Help: Use the alert center
Google Workspace Admin Help: About Administrator Roles

Google Meet call control for USB peripheral devices

Friday, August 12, 2022

What’s changing We’re introducing additional call control for Google Meet which will allow you to toggle between mute and unmute using headsets, speaker microphones, and other USB peripheral devices.

Who’s impacted End users
Why it’s important Video conferencing has become a cornerstone of the hybrid work experience, with Google Meet boosting communication and collaboration for teams of all sizes. This also means people consider the use of peripheral devices—from headsets, speakermics, mute buttons, and more—essential to their video meeting experience.

To help ensure a more seamless meeting experience, you can conveniently mute or unmute yourself using USB peripheral devices. Additionally, you can use LED color changes on your device to determine when you are or aren’t muted. We plan to expand this functionality to muting video, ending a meeting, and more in the future.

Additional Details Supported browsers This feature is currently only supported in Chrome or Chromium based browsers.

Supported devices

Call control will work with most USB telephony peripherals; however, the experience may differ from device to device. You can find a listing of Meet-certified headsets or speaker microphone can be found here.
Bluetooth devices are not supported at this time.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin impact.
End users: Enabling call control for your USB peripheral:

In the pre-call green room navigate to Audio > Call Control > Connect device. You’ll be prompted to connect your USB peripheral.
This setting can also be accessed during a call from More options (three-dot icon) > Audio > Call Control > Connect device.

How to use call control with your USB peripheral

When you’re in a meeting, you can press the mute / unmute button on the physical peripheral to toggle your mute state during the meeting.
Additionally, if your peripheral has an LED status light, the light will sync with your current mute status.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 22, 2022

Availability

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

Resources

Unified experience for Gmail logs in BigQuery, configure your existing Gmail logs to route to Workspace logs

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

What’s changing In the coming months, we will move the location of the existing Gmail logs in BigQuery to Google Workspace logs and reports in BigQuery. This change will only impact existing Google Workspace customers, who have BigQuery Export enabled. New customers will be guided through setting up a Workspace BigQuery project for Gmail logs.

While this change is happening, for a brief period of time, Gmail data will be exported to both the Gmail logs and the Workspace logs — existing Google Workspace customers who are impacted will receive an email notification with more information in the coming weeks.

Gmail logs in BigQuery

Migrating to Unified Workspace logs in BigQuery

Who’s impacted Admins

Why it’s important This change will create a single space to access all of your Google Workspace audit events and eliminate the need to switch between various sources of truth.

Once this merger is completed, you will not be able to use Gmail logs in BigQuery in the Admin console. Visit the Help Center for more information, including detailed step-by-step instructions on handling this change.

Additional detailsTemporary dual export period and BigQuery storage requirements Once Gmail logs are set to be exported to Workspace Logs, this data will temporarily exported to two destinations:

Your previous, Gmail-only BigQuery project
Your new or existing Workspace BigQuery project, which stores data for all Google Workspace applications

This will also impact your BigQuery quotas limits and how often they have to refresh, as well as the cost associated with exporting logs to BigQuery. To avoid impact on your quotas and duplicative data, we strongly recommend turning off Gmail log exports to your Gmail-only BigQuery projects.

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about Google Workspace logs and reports in BigQuery and moving your views, queries, and scripts from Gmail logs in BigQuery to Workspace logs in BigQuery.
End users: There is no end user impact.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 10, 2022

Availability

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

Resources

Improved notifications when editing Microsoft Office files in Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Quick summaryMany of our customers utilize Office editing mode to collaborate on Microsoft Office files in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Today, we’re announcing improvements to the notifications you see when editing a Microsoft Office-formatted file.
Specific updates include:

An Office-formatted warning symbol for compatibility details that will appear throughout your entire time within a document, spreadsheet, or slide deck. This indicates potential compatibility issues or if any Office features are unavailable.

Example of a document with compatibility issues

Example of a document without known compatibility issues

An option to easily view and restore earlier versions of the document, spreadsheet, or slide deck. New options to view version history and restore a document

New options to view version history and restore a document

Getting started

Admins: Office editing notifications are ON by default and will always be present when a user opens a Microsoft Office-formatted document. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Office editing.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about working with Office files using Office editing.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 10, 2022

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.

Better location context for events and RSVPs in Calendar

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Quick summaryWe’re making it even easier to use RSVPs in Google Calendar and let others know how you’re planning to join a meeting.
You can now select a RSVP join method that’s powered by your working location, whether that’s joining in a particular meeting room or virtually. With the new RSVP option, Calendar will automatically update how you intend to join the meeting if your working location changes. In addition, your colleagues will now see your working location or out of office status directly in the guest list section of a Calendar event.
We hope this feature improves the way you and your colleagues utilize your planned working location for meetings and events, especially in a hybrid work environment.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting your working hours & location and responding to event invitations.

Rollout pace

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, Teaching & Learning Upgrade, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers
Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Frontline, legacy G Suite Basic customers, and users with personal Google Accounts

Resources

The Google Meet and Google Duo app icons are changing, additional information for Google Workspace users

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

What’s changing In June 2022, we announced that we are upgrading the Duo experience to include all Google Meet features, creating a single solution service for both video calling and meeting.

Meeting features have been rolling out to the Duo app over the last several weeks, and now users will begin to see their app name and icon update to Google Meet. Visit the Help Center for more information on this change, and the Keyword for the latest on the upgraded experience.

Additional details We’d like to share more information about about what this change means for Google Workspace users:

Personal Google accounts are already accessible in Google Meet today, allowing users to switch between personal and work accounts as needed. As before, a user's ability to access domain-specific meetings with the personal Google accounts is determined by the privacy setting configured by their admin.

Users will only see Duo features— like calling or messages—on their Google account through work if Duo is enabled via the Additional Google services control.

Getting started

Admins: As the admin, you can:

Manage Duo video calling access features by turning off the Additional Google services control. If you turn OFF the Additional Google Services control for your users, you’ll also disrupt any apps without individual ON/OFF switches. Note: This applies to Duo video calling features only, this will not impact Meet functionality.
If your organization uses a mobile device management system, and Duo is currently blocked, we strongly recommend allowlisting Duo so users can install the new Meet app.
Control Google Meet access using the Admin console. To prevent your users from losing access, we recommend keeping Google Meet ON for your organization.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about how Duo is being upgraded.

End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about the app icon Changes in Google Meet and Duo. To ensure a smooth transition, we recommend keeping your app updated to the latest version.

Education Admins:

Users under 18: Duo is currently restricted for users under 18. Admins do not need to change any settings to ensure that under 18 users will continue to not have access to Duo calling features when the Duo app is updated.
Users over 18: If you have the Additional Google services control enabled, users over 18 will have access to Duo calling features when the app name and icon changes to Meet.

If you do not want over 18 users to have access to Duo calling features, turn the Additional Google services control off which will prevent users from using all Additional Services that do not have an individual ON/OFF control.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 10, 2022

Availability

All Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers
All users with personal Google Accounts

Resources

Stronger protection for sensitive Google Workspace account actions

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

What’s changing We’re introducing stronger safeguards for sensitive actions taken in your Google Workspace account. These apply to actions that, when done by hijackers, can have far reaching consequences for the account owner or the organization it belongs to.

Google will evaluate the session attempting the action, and if it’s deemed risky, it will be challenged with a “Verify it’s You” prompt. Through a second and trusted factor, such as a 2-step verification code, users can confirm the validity of the action. For example, if a malicious actor gains access to your account and attempts to change the name on your account, the action will be blocked until the true account owner can verify that this was intentional.

Note that this feature only supports users that use Google as their identity provider and actions taken within Google products. SAML users are not supported at this time. See below for more information.

Who’s impacted Admins and end users

Why it matters This added layer of security helps to intercept bad actors who have gained access to a user's account, further protecting their data and your organization's sensitive information. Additionally, these challenge attempts will be logged as an audit event allowing for further admin investigation.
Additional details In the Admin console under Users > “UserName” > Security, admins can toggle login challenges OFF for ten minutes if a user gets stuck behind a "verify it's you prompt". We strongly recommend only using this option if contact with the user is credibly established, such as via a video call.
Getting started

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now.

Availability

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

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: SAML-based SSO: technical overview
Google Workspace Admin Help: Admin log events
Google Workspace Admin Help: Protect Google Workspace accounts with security challenges
Google Workspace Admin Help: Manage a user's security settings

Improving data privacy with Client-side encryption for Google Meet

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

What’s changing We are adding Workspace Client-side encryption to Google Meet, giving customers increased control over their data. Meet already encrypts all of your data at rest and in transit between our facilities — client-side encryption gives users direct control of their encryption keys and the identity service that they choose to authenticate for those keys. Additionally, this guarantees that Google cannot access audio and video content under any circumstances and helps you meet regulatory compliance in many regions.

Bringing Client-side encryption to Meet is another significant milestone in Google Workspace’s industry-leading encryption work, offering our users the highest degree of protection and control over their data.

Workspace Client-side encryption for Meet will be available first on the web, with support for meeting rooms and mobile devices coming later.

Important note: At this stage, only participants within your Workspace organization can be invited to client-side encrypted calls — guest access will be introduced in the future.

Why it’s important Client-side encryption uses keys supplied by the customer to add another layer of encryption to video and audio, in addition to using the default encryption that Google Meet provides. This is used for calls that need an extra level of confidentiality and makes the media indecipherable even to Google. Those could be calls regarding sensitive intellectual property or when required for compliance in highly regulated industries.

Additional details Notes about using client-side encryption:

The organizer needs to join for the call to start when client-side encryption is turned on. If participants join early, they will need to wait for the organizer to join before communicating with others.
Some functions that require server-side processing or parsing of call media will not work, e.g. cloud-based noise cancellation or closed captions.
Client-side encryption does not support dialing-in/out

Getting started

Admins: An administrator needs to configure how Meet connects to a key service and identity provider before turning on client-side encryption for users. Learn more about configuring Client-side encryption here.
End users:

Organizing calls:

In a calendar event with Meet video conferencing, navigate to Settings (cog-wheel icon) > Security and select “Add encryption”.
Note: All participants must be invited to the call, either via the Calendar event or within the meeting.

Participating in calls:

Client-side encrypted meetings will start once the meeting organizer arrives — there are no other restrictions or changes for meeting participants.

Rollout pace

Users on supported Google Workspace editions can create Client-side encrypted calls.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus customers hosting client-side encrypted calls
Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Education Fundamentals, The Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: About Client-side encryption
Workspace Updates Blog: Stronger data security and privacy with Google Workspace Client-side encryption

Roadmap

This feature was listed as an upcoming release.

Office Building support for Working Locations

Monday, August 8, 2022

What’s changingIn 2021, we launched a feature allowing you to indicate if you are working from home or the office directly on your Calendar.

Now you’re able to select a specific office building as your working location. The office building is taken into account for meeting room suggestions, and helps colleagues better understand where you plan to work from on a given day.

Who’s impacted Admins and end users

Why you’d use it Whether you’re suggesting a meeting room to your colleagues or want to know where someone might be working for the day, we hope this update makes planning in-person collaboration easier.

Additional details With this new feature, those who manage the calendars of others, such as Executive assistants, will also be able to update the working location of that calendar as long as they have access to make changes and manage sharing.

Getting started

Admins: Working Location must be enabled for your organization in order to access this feature. Additionally, structured office buildings must be set in the admin console. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning working location on or off for your organization.
End users: If enabled by your admin, you can select a structured building by choosing one of the following options:

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 8, 2022

Availability

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

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Turn working location on or off for users
Google Help: Set your work location
Google Workspace Updates Blog: Improved user interface for sharing your working location in Google Calendar

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - August 5, 2022

Friday, August 5, 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.

Extending grammar features to German We’ve expanded our grammar features in Gmail and Docs to include German. This highlights possible grammar errors in your text to help you correct them if German is set as your default language. | Rolling out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains now at a Gradual pace (up to 15 days for feature visibility) | Learn more here and here.

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.

Seamlessly access popular Education Technology tools directly in Google Classroom We’ve made it easier for educators to access popular EdTech tools that work best for their class directly in Google Classroom with a new seamless integration of single sign-on, assigning, and grading. | Available to the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Google Workspace for Education Plus customers only. | Learn more.
Choose to grade with Canvas SpeedGrader or Google Assignments There is now an option to grade with either Google Assignments or Canvas SpeedGrader within Google Assignments for Canvas. | Available to Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers only. | Learn more.

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

Choose to grade with Canvas SpeedGrader or Google Assignments

Thursday, August 4, 2022

What’s changingStarting today, within Google Assignments for Canvas, there is now an option to grade with either Google Assignments or Canvas SpeedGrader.
These tool allows educators to continue using features they already enjoy with Google Assignments, such as assigning personalized files to students, seeing students’ in-progress work, and using originality reports. If educators choose to grade with Canvas SpeedGrader, they can also utilize annotations and audio and video comments as they grade. Select SpeedGrader to grade an assignment

Who’s impacted Admins and end users

Why you’d use it This highly requested feature gives Canvas users a choice when deciding which grader interface works best for them.

Getting started

Admins: Google Assignments (LTI 1.3) must be enabled to use SpeedGrader. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting up Assignments in Canvas.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Canvas SpeedGrader.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 4, 2022

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers
Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Frontline, Nonprofits, and legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers
Not available to users with personal Google Accounts

Resources

Seamlessly access popular Education Technology tools directly in Google Classroom

Monday, August 1, 2022

What’s changing With a new seamless integration of single sign-on, assigning, and grading, we’re making it easier for educators to access popular EdTech tools that work best for their class directly in Google Classroom.

Who’s impacted

Admins, end users, and developers

Why you’d use it

This feature enables educators to browse, assign, and grade compelling content for their classes and allows both educators and students to access their EdTech tools without having to go through various login steps, such as remembering numerous usernames and passwords, or having to navigate to external websites and apps.

In addition to saving educators and students time, this provides a more streamlined experience when using technology to make an impact on learning.

Additional details

We partnered with 15+ EdTech companies to build custom add-ons, including Kahoot!, Pear Deck, IXL, and Nearpod.

Getting started

Admins:

Educators:

Once enabled by your admin, you will see an “add-ons” module within the Assignment and Stream screens. From there, you will find the list of available add-ons for your district. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using add-ons in Classroom.

EdTech Tools & Developers: If you are interested in creating a Classroom add-on, express interest here.

Rollout pace

This feature is available now.

Availability

Available to the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Google Workspace for Education Plus customers
Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Education Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers
Not available to users with personal Google Accounts

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Install and allowlist Classroom add-ons
Google Help: Use add-ons in Classroom
Developer Interest Form: Google Classroom add-ons
Keyword: Use your favorite education tools in Classroom with add-ons

Roadmap

This feature was listed as an upcoming release.

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - July 29, 2022

Friday, July 29, 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.

Support for two simultaneous calls now available on Google Voice

As part of our efforts to further improve our core calling features, Google Voice now offers the ability to place or receive a second call when you are on an ongoing call. You can quickly decide if you would like to take the second incoming call by placing the current call on hold or by hanging up the current call. You can also reject the second incoming call if you would rather not be interrupted right now.The feature is currently rolling out on Web and will roll out on Android and iOS in the coming weeks. | Available to Voice Starter, Standard, and Premier customers and all Voice users. | Learn more.

The new integrated view is now the standard experience for Gmail

At the beginning of 2022, we announced a new integrated view for Gmail, bringing critical applications like Gmail, Chat, and Meet in one unified location. By August 5th, users who have not opted-in will begin seeing the new experience by default, but can revert to classic Gmail via settings. Within the next two months, this will become the default experience with no option to revert back. We will share an update on the Workspace Updates Blog at that time. | 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 legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers only. | Visit the Help Center and The Keyword to 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.

Improving the Google Workspace experience on large screen Android devices

We’ve added several new features and functionality to products like Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Keep on Android devices as part of our mission to provide a top-class user experience on large screen devices. | Learn more.

Migrate unmanaged accounts to your domain using new “UserInvitation” API functionality

We’ve introduced new API functionality that allows you to automate the process of finding conflicting accounts and inviting them to join your organization. | Available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise, Cloud Identity Premium and Cloud Identity Free customers only. | Learn more.

Working Location enabled by default

You are now able to set your working location without having to first enable this feature in your Calendar settings. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers only. | Learn more.

Use the Cloud Search Query API to set Suggest Filters to enhance Cloud Search results

We’ve introduced Suggest Filters for Cloud Search. Using the Cloud Search Query API, admins can specify a filter condition that will be pre-applied to keyword suggestions as user types a query. This will surface more relevant suggestions, helping reduce the time users spend searching. | Available to Google Cloud Search customers only. | Learn more.

Assignments audit data now available in the Admin console

Google Workspace for Education admins can now view Assignments data in their audit logs. Using this data, admins can find and act on Assignments related events such as who removed a student from a video call, when assignment files were created or submitted, and more. | Available to Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, and the Teaching and Learning upgrade customers only. | Learn more.

Better search and suggestion options in Gmail

Gmail has more accurate and circumstantial search suggestions with better customization as a result of our new machine learning models. | Available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Frontline, and Nonprofits customers only. | Learn more.

New integrated email marketing tools for Gmail

We’ve added two new features in Gmail that you can use to easily send professional-looking emails to large audiences: layouts and multi-send. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, Nonprofits, Workspace Individual, and legacy G Suite Basic customers only. | Learn more.

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

New integrated email marketing tools for Gmail

Thursday, July 28, 2022

What’s changingFor select Google Workspace editions, we’re adding two new features in Gmail which you can use to easily send professional-looking emails to large audiences:

Layouts: You can select from a predefined set of email templates, which feature images, text elements, and buttons. You can further customize these templates with your own color schemes, logos, images, footer text, and links. Layouts: You can select from a predefined set of email templates, which feature images, text elements, and buttons. You can further customize these templates with your own color schemes, logos, images, footer text, and links.
Multi-send: This feature allows you to send mass emails without the need to BCC all recipients. By default, multi-send emails include an unsubscribe link unique to each recipient — anyone who unsubscribes is automatically excluded from future multi-send emails from you.

Additionally, we are introducing an Admin setting to control whether these features are on or off for your users. The admin settings are rolling out now, allowing time to configure availability for their end users in advance. See below for more information.

These features are only available for Gmail on the web at this time.

Who’s impacted Admins and end users

Why you’d use them We hope these features allow you to quickly and easily create announcements, newsletters, and other mass-email scenarios. Additionally, your recipients will have the ability to unsubscribe from future multi-send emails.

Getting started Admins:

Layouts: This feature is ON by default and at the domain level. You can turn layouts on or off for specific domains, OUs, or groups.
Multi-Send:

For Google Workspace Enterprise Starter and above, as well as Google Workspace for Education customers, this feature is restricted to internal recipients by default.
For Google Workspace Business customers multi-send is available by default for external recipients.
For all Google Workspace editions, you can turn multi-send ON for external recipients at the OU or Group level

Note:

These feature launches do not impact the existing send quotas for users.
If your organization has disabled Google Drive, Gmail layouts are turned off automatically.

Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing Gmail settings for your users, customizing access policies for different organizational units or groups.

End users: If enabled by your admin, visit the Help Center to learn more about using layouts and multi-send in Gmail.

Rollout pace Admin Controls

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 28, 2022

End user functionality

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus and Workspace Individual customers
Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Education Fundamentals, Education Teaching & Learning, Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials and Frontline customers

Resources

Better search and suggestion options in Gmail

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Quick summary Over the years, we’ve made advancements to the search capabilities and suggestions in Gmail through search filters, search operators, search chips, and more.

Starting today, Gmail has more accurate and circumstantial search suggestions with better customization as a result of our new machine learning models. When searching for a conversation, file, or a colleague’s contact information in the Gmail Search Box, you will notice:

Better and more contextual contact suggestions with intent matching for names and email addresses. For example, suggestions are reordered to more likely match contact queries with first names or email addresses rather than last names.
Personalized suggestions based on historical exchanges, such as how often you interact with a colleague via Gmail.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 27, 2022

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Frontline, and Nonprofits customers
Available to users with personal Google Accounts
Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Enterprise Essentials customers, and legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers

Resources

Roadmap

This feature was listed as an upcoming release.

Assignments audit data now available in the Admin console

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Quick summary Google Workspace for Education admins can now view Assignments data in their audit logs. Using this data, admins can find and act on Assignments related events such as who removed a student from a video call, when assignment files were created or submitted, and more.

Getting started

Admins: Audit logs can be found in the Admin console under Reporting > Audit > Investigation > Admin log events. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Admin log events.
End users: There is no end user impact

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, and the Teaching and Learning upgrade.
Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers.

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Admin log events

Use the Cloud Search Query API to set Suggest Filters to enhance Cloud Search results

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

What’s changing We’re introducing Suggest Filters for Cloud Search. Using the Cloud Search Query API, admins can specify a filter condition that will be pre-applied to keyword suggestions as user types a query. This will surface more relevant suggestions, helping reduce the time users spend searching.

Who’s impacted Admins, developers and end users

Why it’s important With suggestion filters, admins can configure suggestions based on the use cases for a given search application, reducing irrelevant suggestions. For example, admins can add a suggestion such as a country, which will surface suggestions based on documents that align the filters.

Getting started

Rollout pace

This feature is available now for all users.

Availability

Available to Google Cloud Search Customers

Resources

Developer Documentation: Add suggestionFilteringOperators[] section
Developer Documentation: Cloud Search API ObjectOptions

Working Location enabled by default

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Quick summaryEarlier this year, we announced an improved user interface for sharing your working location in Google Calendar. Starting today, you will be able to set your working location without having to first enable this feature in your Calendar settings.

Getting started

Admins: Working Location is ON by default and can be disabled at the domain or OU level. Current settings for your domain will remain the same unless updated in the Admin console. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning working location on or off for your organization.
End users: Unless disabled by your admin, this feature will be ON by default. There will be no major visual changes to your calendar unless you set your working location. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting your working location.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 26, 2022
Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility starting on August 10, 2022

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers
Not available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials, and Frontline, as well as legacy G Suite Basic customers
Not available to users with personal Google Accounts

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Turn working location on or off for users
Google Help: Set your work location
Google Workspace Updates Blog: Improved user interface for sharing your working location in Google Calendar

Migrate unmanaged accounts to your domain using new “UserInvitation” API functionality

Monday, July 25, 2022

What’s changing We’re introducing new API functionality which allows you to automate the process of finding conflicting accounts and inviting them to join your organization.

Who’s impacted Admins, end users, and developers

Why you’d use it When employees create a Google account using one of your organization’s domains to access Google services, this is known as an unmanaged account. Unmanaged accounts are not ideal for managing users and keeping their work data secure.

Additionally, should an admin try to create a managed account with the same name, this conflict will prevent a managed account from being created. Using the UserInvitation API functionality, you can send a request to convert their personal account to a Google Workspace account.

While the same action can be manually performed with the Transfer Tool, the API allows unmanaged accounts to be identified and remediated programmatically, using logic that best suits your needs.

Getting started

Admins and Developers:

End users:

If you accept the request from your admin to transfer their account, your admin will be granted access to their data and the ability to manage your account.
If you don’t accept the invitation, you will have to rename your account. Your administrator can create a new, managed account for you.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 25, 2022

Availability

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

Resources

Improving the Google Workspace experience on large screen Android devices

Monday, July 25, 2022

Quick summaryAs part of our mission to provide a top-class user experience on large screen devices, we’re adding several new features and functionality to products like Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Keep on Android devices.
We hope these updates enhance flexibility by giving you more ways to work with, display and organize your content across Google Workspace. Specifically, the new abilities include:

Drag & Drop in Docs, Sheets & Drive: Easily drag text or images from other apps, such as Chrome, and drop content into an existing document or spreadsheet cell. For Drive, quickly upload files by dragging and dropping them into the app. You can also add links to Drive files by dragging the file into an open app like Keep.

Dragging & Dropping from Sheets into Docs and vice versa

Dragging & Dropping from Keep into Drive

Dragging & Dropping from Drive into Keep

Keyboard support for Drive, Docs & Slides: When using an attached keyboard, use simple and familiar shortcuts to quickly navigate around Drive, Docs, and Slides, without needing to slow down and take your hands off of your keyboard.

Multi-instance support on Drive: Get better insight into your Drive files by having two Drive windows open side-by-side.

Getting started

Rollout pace Keyboard support for Drive, Drag & Drop in Drive, and Multi-instance support on Drive:

These features are available now

Keyboard support for Docs & Slides and Drag & Drop in Docs & Sheets:

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 28, 2022

Availability

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

Updates

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - August 12, 2022

Control visibility of admin alerts with admin role privileges

Google Meet call control for USB peripheral devices

Unified experience for Gmail logs in BigQuery, configure your existing Gmail logs to route to Workspace logs

Improved notifications when editing Microsoft Office files in Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Better location context for events and RSVPs in Calendar

The Google Meet and Google Duo app icons are changing, additional information for Google Workspace users

Stronger protection for sensitive Google Workspace account actions

Improving data privacy with Client-side encryption for Google Meet

Office Building support for Working Locations

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - August 5, 2022

Choose to grade with Canvas SpeedGrader or Google Assignments

Seamlessly access popular Education Technology tools directly in Google Classroom

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - July 29, 2022

New integrated email marketing tools for Gmail

Better search and suggestion options in Gmail

Assignments audit data now available in the Admin console

Use the Cloud Search Query API to set Suggest Filters to enhance Cloud Search results

Working Location enabled by default

Migrate unmanaged accounts to your domain using new “UserInvitation” API functionality

Improving the Google Workspace experience on large screen Android devices

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