Google Workspace Updates

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - September 21, 2021

Friday, September 24, 2021

New updates
New look and feel for Workspace Updates email subscriptions Starting September 29, we're going to be improving the look and feel of the emails you receive when you subscribe to Workspace Updates.

The emails themselves will be sent from noreply@workspaceupdates.withgoogle.com, so be sure to update any inbox filters or labels you may have and check your spam folders if you don't immediately see them.
Emails for the Workspace Updates Blog in non-English markets will update to this new format in the coming weeks.
If you have any feedback about these emails after September 29th, please feel back to let us know in the linked form.

Full rollout (1-3 days for availability). | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. | Workspace Updates Blog Email Subscription Feedback

Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Upgrade to the newest version of the Google Chat app

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

Improved visibility in Google Meet on web

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

Control the ability to present to Google Meet from Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides with a new Admin setting

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

One-click recommended actions in the Alert Center

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

Improved Search In Gmail on Android

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

New graphs for metrics over time in Meet Quality Tool

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

Perform refined email searches with new rich filters in Gmail on web

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

Easily chat with meeting participants from a Google Calendar event

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

Ability to mute all Google Meet participants at once rolling out to mobile platforms

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

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

Ability to mute all Google Meet participants at once rolling out to mobile platforms

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Quick launch summaryEarlier this year, we announced the ability for meeting hosts to mute everyone all at once in Google Meet on desktops/laptop devices. This change gives the host more control by helping them prevent or stop disruptions coming from unmuted users. Meeting hosts and co-hosts are the only users in a meeting who can use the “mute all” feature. Once all participants are muted, the hosts and co-hosts cannot unmute them. However, users will be able to unmute themselves as needed. Please note: Users joining meetings using Pexip devices will not be muted. This feature is rolling out now on iOS, with availability for Android coming in later in 2021. We’ll provide an update on the Workspace Updates Blog once that becomes available. Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.

End users: This feature will be available by default to meeting hosts. Visit the Help Center to learn more about muting participants in Google Meet.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 22, 2021.

Availability

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

Also available to Google Workspace Individual customers and users with personal Google Accounts

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Blog: Add up to 25 co-hosts per meeting and expanded safety features for Google Meet

Google Help: Pin or mute Google Meet participants

Easily chat with meeting participants from a Google Calendar event

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

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

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

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

Admins: This feature will be ON by default for all users with Chat and Calendar turned on. Use our Help Center for more information on managing which services are available to your users.

End users: This feature will be ON by default. Visit the Help Center to learn more about this feature.

Rollout pace On the web:

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 20th, 2021

Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 4th, 2021

On mobile:

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 4, 2021

Availability

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

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Turn on external chat options

Google Workspace Updates Blog: Google Chat will automatically suggest 1:1 chat based on your Google Calendar

Perform refined email searches with new rich filters in Gmail on web

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Quick launch summary When searching in Gmail on web, enhanced search chips will provide richer drop-down lists with more options that help you apply additional filters. For example, when you click on the “From” chip, you’ll now be able to quickly type a name, choose from a list of suggested senders, or search for emails from multiple senders. Available now for all users, search chips make it quicker and easier to find the specific email or information you’re looking for.
A richer drop down list in search

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.

End users: There is no end user setting for this feature, chips will appear automatically when you perform a search in Gmail on the web. Use the Help Center to learn more about search in Gmail.

Rollout pace

This feature is available now for all users.

Availability

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

New graphs for metrics over time in Meet Quality Tool

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

What’s changing We’ve added detailed metrics over time for endpoints in Meet Quality Tool, which will help admins perform more advanced troubleshooting. When clicking any endpoint in the meeting timeline, admins can now view charts showing:

Average CPU usage,
Connection delay,
Microphone audio level (what is heard at the user's location),
Received audio level (audio from others),
Sent video packet loss,
Received video packet loss.

When viewing metrics for meetings that are still in progress, you can refresh to see a timeline and metrics with near-real-time values.

Please note: The available metrics for any given endpoint depend on which device and Meet client was used for the connection.

Who’s impacted

Admins

Why it’s important

There are many factors that can affect the quality of a meeting — by providing detailed information and metrics of those factors overtime, admins can more effectively analyze and troubleshoot issues and therefore improve the quality of meetings for their users.

For example, the graph below shows a user who experienced a loss of video during a meeting.

The admin can further drill down into the metrics and see that the exact time of the video loss corresponds with the loss of the user’s network connection. Using these metrics, the admin was able to quickly diagnose this as a temporary network connection issue.

Getting started

Admins: These metrics are available by default when viewing a meeting in the Meet Quality Tool. Visit the Help Center to learn more about tracking meeting quality and statistics and troubleshooting issues with Google Meet.
End users: There is no end user impact. Visit the Help Center to learn more about troubleshooting issues with Google Meet.

Rollout pace

This feature is available now.

Availability

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

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Track meeting quality and statistics
Google Workspace Admin Help: Troubleshoot issues with Google Meet
Google Workspace Admin Help: Prepare your network for Meet video calls
Google Help: Troubleshoot issues with Google Meet

Improved Search In Gmail on Android

Monday, September 20, 2021

Quick SummaryYou can now quickly and easily filter email and search results on Android mobile devices to find the one specific email or information you’re looking for. Search filters can be used independently or post-search, helping you choose filtering options from rich drop-down lists. For example, you can type a query and further narrow results by selecting search filters like from: colleague’s name, or a specific timeframe. When searching for emails by sender, users can choose from a list of suggested senders or search for emails from multiple senders.
Filtering email and search results

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. When searching in Gmail on Android, you can use the search filters below the search box.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 20, 2021. We anticipate rollout to be completed by the end of October 2021.

Availability

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

Resources

One-click recommended actions in the Alert Center

Monday, September 20, 2021

What’s changing In the Alert Center, Admins will see new one-click recommended actions for various alerts, which they can implement without leaving the Alert Center. You’ll see recommended actions such as:

Marking an email message as phishing,
Suspending a user,
Restoring a user after they’ve been suspended,
Blocking devices,
Deleting email messages and more.

When viewing an alert detail, you'll see a recommended action such as "Delete message" with a link for admins to take quick action.

Who’s impacted Admins
Why it’s important We hope these suggested actions make it easier for Admins to swiftly triage, take action, and remedy various incidents within your org faster.

Additionally, this update builds on previous improvements in the Admin console such as the updated homepage, redesigned navigation experience and a streamlined management of users and domains.

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about taking action in response to alerts.
End users: There is no end user impact.

Rollout pace

This feature is available now for all users.

Availability

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

Resources

Control the ability to present to Google Meet from Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides with a new Admin setting

Monday, September 20, 2021

Quick summary Earlier this year, we announced the ability to present from Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides directly to Google Meet. Beginning today, Admins can turn this feature on or off for their organization with a new setting. We hope this gives Admins more control over how their users share content in Meet calls.

Within the Admin console, navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Google Meet > Meet Video Settings to configure the "Integrations" setting.

Getting started

Admins: This feature is ON by default and can be disabled at the OU level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about allowing your users present to Meet from the Editors.
End users: No action required. When enabled by your admin, you can present a doc, sheet, or slide directly in Google Meet.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 20, 2021

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers
Not available to Google Workspace Individual customers or users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Manage Meet Settings
Google Help: Present a doc, sheet, or slide directly in Google Meet

Improved visibility in Google Meet on web

Monday, September 20, 2021

Quick summary Last year, we introduced low-light mode for Meet on mobile, using AI to automatically adjust your video to make you more visible if you’re in a dark environment. Having too much light behind you—such as a window on a sunny day—can also be challenging for many cameras. Google Meet on the web now automatically detects when a user appears underexposed and enhances the brightness to improve their visibility.

Google Meet will automatically detect when a user is underexposed and will enhance the brightness for improved visibility.

For illustrative purposes onlyGetting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.

End users: Automatic recommendation of the feature is available to eligible devices. For all other users, visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Light Adjustment on or off for your account.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) from September 20, 2021

Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) October 4, 2021

Availability

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

Resources

Google Help: Turn on automatic video lighting adjustment

Upgrade to the newest version of the Google Chat app

Monday, September 20, 2021

Quick launch summaryLast year, we introduced the new Google Chat Progressive Web Application (PWA), which provides a fast, reliable, and engaging way to use Chat on any desktop device with the Google Chrome web browser. We’ve recently released a new version of this app.
While most users have already been automatically upgraded to the new app, a small number of users are still on the older Chat PWA version and will see an in-app banner nudging them to upgrade by visiting chat.google.com.

Banner to upgrade to the newest version of the Chat PWA

The banner will read “You are using an old version of Chat. You need to uninstall this old version first, then visit www.chat.google.com to install the new version.”
Beginning September 27, 2021, users who have not yet upgraded will no longer be able to use their previously installed Chat app. Instead, they’ll see a screen directing them to upgrade to the new version of Google Chat.

Screen telling users the old PWA is no longer available

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

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

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

Screen shown to users that already have the new app, when the old PWA version is no longer available

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more about the PWA.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about installing the latest Chat PWA version.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Users of the older Chat PWA version will see this banner appear in their app in the coming weeks until it is shut down beginning September 27, 2021

Availability

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

Resources

Google Help: Install the Google Chat standalone app

Useful Links

Updates