Google Workspace Changes

Admins can now enforce password policies specifically for Android work profiles.

G Suite admins can now use Google Mobile Management to mandate password policies that apply exclusively to apps within Android work profiles on devices running Android 7.0 or higher. This allows organizations to secure corporate data with specific password requirements while allowing users to maintain their own security preferences for personal apps on the same device.

Improved Google Calendar audit logs for third-party ICS-related changes.

Google Calendar has enhanced its audit logs in the Admin console to provide more detail for changes originating from third-party systems, such as Microsoft Exchange or IBM Notes, via ICS files. New information added to the logs includes the email sender's address, the message ID for cross-referencing with Gmail audit logs, the specific third-party system that sent the message, and the email recipient. Admins can filter these activities by selecting 'Gmail ICS Parser' in the API Kind field.

Jamboard now supports Bluetooth conferencing devices.

Users can now connect and use Bluetooth Conferencing devices, which combine a speaker and microphone, with the Jamboard.

Jamboard now supports white color brushes for drawing and shape recognition.

Users can now draw brush strokes, use handwriting/shape recognition, and utilize autodraw tools in a new white color option within Jamboard.

Enhanced visibility for emails in Admin Quarantine.

Google is updating the Admin Quarantine interface to make it easier for admins to identify why emails were quarantined. Admins with the necessary privileges will now be able to see the specific rule that was triggered and the matched content, allowing for quicker review and more accurate actions to protect the organization.

Twelve third-party applications added to the G Suite pre-integrated SAML apps catalog

Building on other recent launches, we’re adding SAML integration for 12 additional applications: Black Duck, Brightcove, Chartio, Duo, Hootsuite, Jenkins, Jostle, Mango Apps, SumTotal, TextMagic, Veracode, Zinc

Twelve third-party applications added to the G Suite pre-integrated SAML apps catalog

Google has expanded its pre-integrated SAML apps catalog by adding 12 additional third-party applications: Black Duck, Brightcove, Chartio, Duo, Hootsuite, Jenkins, Jostle, Mango Apps, SumTotal, TextMagic, Veracode, and Zinc. This allows administrators to more easily set up Single Sign-On (SSO) for these services compared to the manual process of installing custom SAML applications.

Gmail introduces 'nudging' to remind users to respond to or follow up on emails.

Gmail now includes an AI-powered 'nudging' feature that reminds users to reply to emails they may have missed and to follow up on emails for which they haven't received a response. This feature is enabled by default for users with the new Gmail enabled, though it can be turned off via the Gmail settings menu.

Google introduces a new data export feature for G Suite admins to securely export and download organization-wide data.

Google has launched a data export tool in the Admin console that allows super admins to export and download a copy of data from G Suite core services, including Gmail, Google Contacts, and Google Docs, for all users in the organization. To ensure security, the feature requires 2-step verification, is limited to super admins created more than 30 days prior, and notifies other admins when initiated. For domains with more than 1,000 users, the feature is disabled by default and requires contacting Google Cloud support to enable.

International Hangouts Meet dial-in phone numbers added for Colombia, Croatia, Lithuania, and Portugal.

Google has expanded the availability of international dial-in phone numbers for Hangouts Meet to four additional markets: Colombia, Croatia, Lithuania, and Portugal. This functionality is available exclusively for G Suite Enterprise edition users, enabling teams to stay connected by dialing into meetings from these regions.

G Suite admins can now define rules to handle Gmail confidential mode messages sent from consumer users.

G Suite administrators can now create content compliance rules to manage incoming Gmail confidential mode messages sent from consumer Gmail users to users within their G Suite domain. This allows admins to block or handle these messages by selecting 'Gmail confidential mode' as an attribute under 'Metadata match' in the Admin console.

Google Drive is updating its web interface to align with Google's latest material design principles.

Google Drive on the web is receiving a visual refresh to create a more responsive and cohesive experience across G Suite. While functionality remains unchanged, updates include a new Google Drive logo in the top left, custom company logos moving to the top right, repositioned Settings and Help Center icons, a white page background, an updated 'New' button, and updated header fonts.

Native offline capabilities are now available in the new Gmail.

Users of the new Gmail in a Chrome browser (v61 or higher) can now search, write, delete, and archive up to 90 days of messages without an internet connection. This feature requires administrators to enable it for the domain in the Admin console, after which individual users can activate it via the Offline tab in their Gmail settings.

Legacy Google Drive desktop sync client for Mac and PC will shut down starting May 12, 2018.

The legacy Google Drive for Mac/PC sync client will begin a gradual shutdown starting May 12, 2018. After this date, the client may stop syncing files between local computers and Google Drive, although local files will not be deleted. To assist with the transition, Drive File Stream will automatically rename any detected legacy Google Drive folders to include '(Not Syncing)' and display a notification to the user to prevent accidental editing of non-syncing files.

Important additional information about the legacy Google Drive desktop sync client shutdown on May 12

We will start the shutdown process on May 12th, but it will be gradual and may take several weeks to impact all organizations.