Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: The feature will trigger automatically when Meet detects that the users’ video is underexposed. Users can disable the feature in the settings menu for the active meeting. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning on automatic video lighting adjustment.
Adding a two-page view for PDFs in the Google Drive app on large screen Android devices
You can now flip between a single page width view or a newly added two-page width view when scrolling through a PDF using the Google Drive app on your Android tablet or foldable device. This side by side view of the PDF will resemble a book, providing a better viewing experience on large screen Android devices. | Available now to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts.
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.
Changes to YouTube player embedded within Google Workspace for Education services
We are removing a previous feature while we evaluate performance and quality. As an immediate next step, if you updated your allowlist or blocklist to include "www.youtube.com", you’ll need to revert your allowlist/blocklist to include "www.youtube.com" as soon as possible to preserve the way your organization uses YouTube videos within Google Workspace for Education services. | This impacts Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade | Learn more about changes to YouTube player embedded within Google Workspace for Education services.
Introducing an updated and more inclusive emoji picker in Gmail
You can now access a more complete emoji selection and set emoji skin tone and gender preferences with the modernized emoji picker in the web version of Gmail. | Learn more about emojis in Gmail.
This update enables users to express themselves more authentically using emoji variations in Gmail.
Getting started
Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: This feature will be ON by default and cannot be disabled by the user. To select your emoji preference, click the emoji icon in the bottom toolbar of your email draft > select the arrow in the bottom right corner of an emoji > choose your skin tone or gender preference for that specific emoji. These individual selections will be saved until updated by you.
Rollout pace
Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 25, 2023
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 13, 2023
Availability
Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts
In June, we introduced updates to the embeddable YouTube player within Google Workspace for Education services. This included a new URL (www.youtubeeducation.com) for the YouTube player to serve embedded content within Google Workspace for Education services.
As a result of this change, if your organization allowed or blocked YouTube videos within Google Workspace for Education services, you were asked to add “www.youtubeeducation.com” to these allowlists or blocklists. This preserved the way your organization used YouTube videos within Google Workspace for Education services, such as Google Classroom or Slides.
We are removing this feature while we evaluate performance and quality. As an immediate next step, if you updated your allowlist or blocklist to include "www.youtube.com", you’ll need to revert your allowlist/blocklist to include "www.youtube.com" as soon as possible to preserve the way your organization uses YouTube videos within Google Workspace for Education services. If you do not revert your allowlist/blocklist to include www.youtube.com as soon as possible, this could change your organization’s access to YouTube videos.
Multi-task using new split screen feature in the Gmail app on large screen Android devices
Last year, we announced numerous improvements to the Google Workspace experience on large screen Android devices, which included multi-instance support on Drive, Docs, Sheets & Slides. We’re excited to introduce a similar feature for the Gmail app on Android tablets & foldables. With this update, you can now open links & attachments directly beside your email content when your device is in landscape orientation.
Upon tapping a link (or attachment) in your email, the link (or attachment) will open on the right half of the screen and the email will move to the left half.
You can control the width of each half or make one the full screen by dragging on the divider handle.
Last month, we rolled out the admin controls for a new feature that enables space managers and users with the permission to manage members to add Google Groups to a space. Starting this week, end users can utilize this option and add Groups to spaces in Chat. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for November 1, 2023. | Available to all domain-verified Google Workspace customers. | Learn more about adding a Google Group to a space.
Add emoji reactions to comments in Google Slides
Last week, we announced the ability to add emoji reactions to comments in Google Sheets. We’re excited to announce this is now available for comments in Google Slides, increasing collaboration by enabling you to quickly and creatively express your opinions about presentation content. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for October 31, 2023. | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. | Learn more about using comments, action items, & emoji reactions.
Respond to access requests for Google Workspace files more efficiently on Android devices
Earlier this year, we introduced a new file access experience to make it easier for file approvers to respond to pending access requests across Google Workspace. We’re happy to announce that this update is now available on Android devices. Within a file (Docs, Sheets, Slides, PDFs, etc.), click the Share button > select the Review button in the new banner to view the access request(s) > respond to the request(s). | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. | Learn more about sharing files from Google Drive.
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.
Upcoming changes to third-party cookie requirements in Google Drive
Understand the impact of Context-Aware Access policies with Monitor Mode
Admins can now use Monitor Mode to understand the implications of a Context-Aware Access (CAA) policy before deploying it to their end users. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, and Cloud Identity Premium customers only. | Learn more about Context-Aware Access policies with Monitor Mode.
Use the space management tool to bulk delete Google Chat spaces
Using the space management tool, admins can now delete multiple spaces within their organization at once. Over time, as more spaces are created, the list of spaces for an organization can become cluttered with abandoned and inactive spaces. | Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Frontline, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Teaching & Learning upgrade, Education Plus customers only. | Learn more about bulk deleting Google Chat spaces.
Subtly enhance your appearance with portrait touch-up when using Google Meet on mobile devices
We’re introducing portrait touch-up in Meet, a new feature on mobile that enables you to lightly touch up your appearance from the green room before joining or during the meeting. | Available to Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Teaching & Learning Upgrade, Google One and Google Workspace Individuals only. | Learn more about portrait touch-up in Meet.
Map and sync system attributes of users from External Directory into Google Workspace
Using Directory Sync, admins can map all the system or default user attributes, including custom attributes, from Microsoft Active Directory or Microsoft Azure Active Directory to Google Directory user attributes and synchronize them. | Learn more about Directory Sync.
Directory Sync is available as an open beta, meaning no sign-up is required. Use our Help Center to learn more about using Directory Sync and FAQs.
Getting started
Admins: To use the Directory Sync, go to Admin console > Home > Directory > Directory Sync. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting up a user sync.
Subtle: very light complexion smoothing, under eye lightening and eye whitening.
Smoothing: slightly more complexion smoothing, under eye lightening and eye whitening.
This update has been highly requested by our users and we hope that by providing the ability to lightly enhance their appearance, they will feel more comfortable and confident with how they appear during video calls.
Additional details
In addition to mobile, we plan to introduce this feature to Google Meet on the web by the end of 2023. We’ll provide an update here at that time.
Getting started
Admins: There is no admin impact or action required.
Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 18, 2023
Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 28, 2023
Turning portrait touch-up on in Google Meet
Availability
Available to Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Teaching & Learning Upgrade, Google One and Google Workspace Individual
Not available to users with personal Google Accounts
When viewing spaces in your organization, you’ll notice a new column: Group counts. In this column, admins can see how many groups are members of a specific space.
This feature will be available by default in the Admin console at Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Google Chat > Manage spaces. Visit the Help Center to learn more about deleting one or more spaces in the Admin console.
End users: There is no end user action required. When a space is deleted, end users no longer see the space in their Chat interface.
Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Frontline, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Teaching & Learning upgrade, Education Plus customers
Applying Monitor Mode to context-aware access policies
Monitor Mode reports
Who’s impacted
Admins
Why you’d use it
Before assigning Context-Aware Access levels, it’s critical for admins to understand the impact this will have on their end users. Using Monitor Mode helps admins fully understand the end user impact before deploying them in active mode, which can help avoid disruptions while helping admins make more informed decisions regarding their security strategies.
If you have specific workflows in place that rely on Drive’s download URLs or use an app which relies on Drive’s download URLs, you’ll need to switch to the Drive and Docs publishing flows by January 2, 2024. Specific instructions are below.
Who’s impacted
Admins, end users and developers
Why it’s important
Serving downloads without requiring third-party cookies will work to improve usability, security, and privacy for Drive users.
Additional details
Learn more about how to audit your code to look for third-party cookies and what action you can take to ensure you're all set for the end of third-party cookies here.
Getting started
Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users and developers:
Use an iframe (HTML element that loads another HTML page within the document) on your website to load the content. You can do this by going to the file in Drive and taking the next relevant step:
For Workspace files (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms file types) use the Google Docs publishing URL of the file.
For other files, once opened in Drive, select “Open in new window” from the overflow menu, and then open the overflow menu and select “Embed item…”, which provides the iframe HTML tag.
Add ratings using a new smart chip in Google Sheets
We’re introducing a new smart chip in Google Sheets that allows you to add ratings to spreadsheet cells. Using the @-menu or Insert > Smart chips > Rating, simply select a number of stars (0-5) to indicate a preference towards an option, such as a feature request, vendor, or interview question. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for October 30, 2023. | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. | Learn more about inserting smart chips in your Google Sheets.
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.
Updates for exporting Google Meet hardware fleet data and bulk device configurations
We’ve made three updates to the way admins manage their Google Meet hardware devices. | Learn more about the updates with Google Meet hardware.
Book a conference room directly from a Google Meet hardware device
To maximize the use of physical room resources and make it easier to find meeting rooms, you can now book an available conference room directly from a Meet hardware device. | Learn more about booking conference rooms from a hardware device.
Full HD available for group meetings in Google Meet
Earlier this year, we announced 1080p video resolution for 1:1 Google Meet calls. This week, we’re expanding 1080p to meetings with three or more participants. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Workspace Individual subscribers only. | Learn more about full HD available for group meetings.
Expanding Smart replies everywhere you receive messages in Google Chat
Building upon recently introduced features in Google Chat, such as smart compose and autocorrect, we’re excited to announce that smart replies are expanding from direct messages to group messages and spaces on Chat on web. | Learn more about smart replies in Chat.
A more consistent experience for the guest list in Google Calendar
We’re updating the way meeting attendees names are displayed in Calendar invites and invite updates sent via email. Going forward, you’ll see more names included in the calendar invite, including the names of those in your organization, and those guests whom you have interacted with previously. | Learn more about guest lists in Calendar.
You can now utilize smart replies, powered by machine learning, to quickly respond when you're on the go, in a hurry or just want to take the tediousness away from typing messages in Chat.
Who’s impacted
End users
Why you’d use it
Now available in spaces and group conversations, smart replies help you respond to teammates quickly and move projects forward more efficiently.
Additional details
Smart reply uses sophisticated machine learning intelligence to recognize which messages most likely need responses and then proposes up to three different replies.
Getting started
Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users:
Smart replies will appear automatically. Simply select one of three response options surfaced in a chat or customize your response before you click send. Please note, this feature is available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
To turn off smart replies in Chat, navigate to the top right, click Settings > Under "Smart Reply," uncheck the box.
Note that 1080p is only sent when one or more users are pinning the 1080p-enabled user on a screen large enough to render the 1080p video feed. In those specific scenarios, additional bandwidth will be required to be able to send 1080p video — Meet will automatically adjust the resolution if the device is bandwidth constrained.
Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Workspace Individual subscribers.
Also available to Google One subscribers with 2TB or more storage space with eligible devices.
Not available to users with personal Google Accounts.
This feature will launch with the default set to OFF — admins will have several options to configure this feature across their fleet:
You can turn this feature on across all rooms by going to Directory > Buildings and resources > Global room settings and toggling Book rooms from Google Meet hardware.
You can turn off this feature for specific rooms by going to Directory > Buildings and resources > Resource management > Resources > [Room Name] > Room settings and toggle Exempt from in-room booking.
You can also bulk update the individual room toggle for up to 200 rooms from the resource management page.
End users: If your admin has turned on this feature in your organization, you should see the ‘Book now’ option appear automatically in available conference rooms unless the room in question has been opted out.
First, when you generate an export of your device data, that export will now use all active filters you selected on the Device list page prior to initiating the download. Previously, this action ignored filters and generated data from every device in your entire fleet.
Bulk updates via CSV upload
Second, you can now make bulk updates to your device settings by uploading a modified export of your device data in CSV format with your desired changes. Prior to this change, the only way to make bulk changes to device settings that are managed at the individual device level (as opposed to organizational unit level) was to select up to 50 devices at a time on the Device list page and trigger a bulk action. This change will allow customers with large fleets to save time by cutting down on repeated, manual steps when rolling out changes to hundreds or even thousands of devices.
Important note: We recommend carefully reviewing the Help Center article before using this feature, as there is no automatic way to revert changes. The only way to undo changes is to use the bulk update feature again with an earlier, clean fleet data export file, so be sure to keep one saved.
Admins must have the requisite Google Meet hardware admin privileges to successfully bulk update devices (Manage devices for most changes, and Manage organizational unit settings when using it to move devices between organizational units). This feature cannot be used to assign calendars at this time.
Alert silencing
We’re also making it possible to temporarily silence device and peripheral alerts. This is helpful when rooms are temporarily taken down for maintenance. You can select a duration of time the alerts should be silenced for, and add a note regarding the silenced alerts so other Meet hardware admins can reference. You can also filter your devices by “silenced” and “unsilenced” from Devices > Google Meet hardware > Devices.’’
In addition, we’ve added a new customer-level setting at Devices > Google Meet hardware > Settings > Service settings called New device alerts that now allows admins to specify whether newly enrolled devices automatically have their alerts silenced or not.
Earlier this year, we introduced the ability to add emoji reactions to existing comments in Google Docs. We’re excited to announce this is now available on comments in Google Sheets, increasing collaboration by enabling you to quickly and creatively express your opinions about spreadsheet content. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for October 19, 2023. | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. | Learn more about using comments, action items, & emoji reactions.
Filter by filter only fields and parameters with Connected Sheets for Looker
We’re adding support for two additional field types for filtering in Connected Sheets for Looker: filter only fields and parameters. These new options will give you even more ways to explore the semantic layer of your data as you will now be able to recreate advanced filtering in Looker explorers or dashboards using Connected Sheets for Looker. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains and Scheduled Release domains now. | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. | Learn more about filter only fields and parameters in Looker.
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.
Configure and bind multiple Android Enterprise Mobility Management providers
You can now bind multiple Android enterprise mobility management providers (EMM) to your Google Workspace account. Previously, you could only bind a single EMM within your organization. This update gives you more control over how devices in your organization are managed. | Learn more about Android Enterprise Mobility Management providers.
Configure Android zero-touch devices directly from the Admin console
We’re integrating the Android Zero-Touch iFrame with the Admin console for a better, more seamless experience for admins. Zero-Touch devices are devices which have been purchased from Zero-Touch resellers and used in company owned mode. | Available to Google Workspace Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Education Plus, Frontline Starter, Frontline Standard and Cloud Identity Premium customers only. | Learn more about Android zero-touch devices.
New Google Calendar appointment scheduling features
To improve upon the current appointment scheduling experience, we’re adding: five to fourteen minute appointment slots that are customizable and the option to hide or show Appointment schedules within the calendar view on web. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits, Workspace individual subscribers, and users with personal Google Accounts only. | Learn more about Calendar appointment scheduling features.
Navigate to Chrome Browser management faster in the Admin console
In the Admin console, we’ve added a dedicated category for Chrome Browser admin capabilities in the left-hand navigation menu. | Learn more about Chrome Browser management.
Improved search results in Google Chat
When searching in Chat, machine learning models will use the search term(s), most recent Chat conversations in direct messages and spaces, and other factors to help you find more accurate and relevant Chat message results. | Learn more about search results in Chat.
Presented content will be captured in higher definition in Google Meet recordings
For recorded meetings in Google Meet, we’re increasing the maximum resolution for shared content from 720p to 1080p. This will help ensure crisper text and visuals for presented content, creating a better viewing experience. | Available to Google Workspace Business Plus, Business Standard, Education Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Starter, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers only. | Learn more about higher definition in Meet recordings.
Build content quickly in Google Docs with instant access to building blocks and more
We’re introducing new buttons at the top of your Google Doc that enable you to quickly insert building blocks for different types of content, such as meeting notes, email drafts and more, directly into your document. | Learn more about building content in Google Docs using building blocks.
Allow users to install and run any internal app from Marketplace
We’re introducing a new admin setting to control whether users can install and run any internal app from the Google Workspace Marketplace along with their allowlisted third-party apps. | Learn more about internal apps in Marketplace.
Review and approve your Contacts delegates by November 12, 2023
In May 2023, we announced several changes for Contacts delegates, specifically that they will be able to update labels and manage “Other” contacts. We’d like to share an updated timeline for this change and provide additional clarity around what’s required of users. As part of this change, you must review and approve your existing delegates by November 12, 2023 or they will lose their delegate status. | Learn more about Contacts delegates.
New view in Google Drive shows recent activity in one place
We’re rolling out a new view in Google Drive that shows all pending access requests, recent comments, and approvals for files to help you quickly see recent activity and take action, all in one place. | Learn more about activity in Drive.
This new view will become a standalone page that’s accessible from the left hand navigation panel within Drive.
Getting started
Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users:
Navigate to drive.google.com > click on “Activity” in the left-hand navigation:
Click on “Manage access” to take action on your pending access requests. This will not appear if pending access requests do not exist.
If you have pending approvals assigned to you, they will appear in the “Approvals” section.
Click on “Review” to take action on your pending approvals.
If you have comment-related activity in the last 30 days, you will see them in the “Comments” section. Click on “Open comment” to take action on your pending comments.
Comments notifications appear if you are 1) subscribed to notifications, 2) participating in the specific comment thread, or 3) mentioned in a comment within that file.
Rollout pace
Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 5, 2023
Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 30, 2023
Between now and November 13, 2023, you’ll be prompted in Contacts to review your existing delegates.
Who’s impacted
Admins and end users
Why it matters
For many of our customers, administrative support for managing inboxes is business critical — this includes making sure that contacts are properly sorted and labeled. Since updating labels and managing “Other” contacts are new functions for delegates, it’s important that you review existing delegates to ensure that access to these features is appropriate.
Additional details
Does this change impact Gmail delegation?
No — while similar functionality is available in Gmail, there are no changes or impact for Gmail delegates. This change is specific to Contacts and contacts delegates only.
You’ll see a prompt in Contacts to review those who currently have Contacts delegation for your contacts.
Beginning November 13, 2023, those with assigned and approved delegation will be able to update labels and manage Other contacts on your behalf. If you do not submit your approval, delegates will lose their access.
In the Google Cloud Community, connect with Googlers and other Google Workspace admins like yourself. Participate in product discussions, check out the Community Articles, and learn tips and tricks that will make your work and life easier. Be the first to know what's happening with Google Workspace.
On the “What’s new in Google Workspace?” Help Center page, learn about new products and features launching in Google Workspace, including smaller changes that haven’t been announced on the Google Workspace Updates blog.
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