Google Workspace Changes

Set custom rules for incoming Google Voice calls.

Google Voice users can now create custom rules for handling incoming calls to improve workflow and productivity. These granular settings allow users to forward calls from specific contacts to linked phone numbers or voicemail, screen calls from specific contacts, set custom voicemail greetings for specific contacts, and apply these rules to either individual contacts or specific contact groups.

Quick access to restore recently deleted users from Admin console homepage and User List page.

Admins can now more easily identify and restore recently deleted users. For organizations with fewer than 100 active users, a notification appears on the 'Users' card on the Admin console homepage showing the number of deleted users and the time remaining before permanent deletion. Additionally, all admins can now access 'Recently deleted users' via the 'More' menu on the User List page.

The filmstrip in Google Slides is now collapsable

Editors in Google Slides can now collapse or expand the filmstrip as needed. Collapsing the filmstrip expands the current slide view for more focused editing, while expanding it allows users to view, navigate to, and edit other slides in the presentation.

Dynamic groups can now be defined based on users' membership in Organizational Units (OUs).

Dynamic groups now support queries based on Organizational Units (OUs), which is now generally available. This allows admins to automatically manage group membership for users within specific OUs, such as creating a dynamic group for all users of a particular subsidiary, reducing manual administrative burden and increasing security.

Making dynamic groups more powerful with custom user attributes and OrgUnit queries

Dynamic groups can now be defined by querying custom user attributes. This functionality is available as an open beta (no sign up required). dynamic groups can also be defined based on users’ membership in Organizational Units (OUs). This feature is now generally available.

Admins can now configure custom screen saver policies for Google Meet hardware devices to use them as digital signage.

Google is providing admins with more control over screen savers on Google Meet hardware devices, enabling their use as digital signage. Admins can now set a publicly accessible URL to display when devices are inactive, define the number of minutes of inactivity before the screen saver appears, and specify how soon before the next meeting the screen saver is dismissed.

Configure member restrictions for groups is now generally available.

Admins and group owners can now restrict group memberships based on whether members are internal or external to the organization, as well as by member type (service accounts, users, and other groups). This feature is available to Google Workspace Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Cloud Identity Premium customers.

Streamlined Room insights dashboard in the Admin console.

The Room insights dashboard in the Admin console has been updated with new data visualizations regarding room usage (based on actual occupancy and capacity) and device usage (based on call activity). The dashboard now features separate graphs for booked and unbooked periods, helping admins make better space-planning and device purchasing decisions.

Google Meet introduces automatic return of breakout room participants to the main meeting room.

Google Meet is enhancing breakout room management by allowing hosts and co-hosts to automatically move participants back to the main meeting room once the breakout session ends. This update includes a countdown banner to notify participants of the transition, improved visual indicators confirming the move, and the automatic disabling of cameras and microphones upon return to the main room to ensure a smooth transition.

Google Drive now sends email notifications to owners when content is restricted for violating abuse program policies.

When a Google Drive file is identified as violating Google's Terms of Service or program policies, it may be restricted, which prevents sharing and removes public access. Now, the owner of the item, or the shared drive manager for items in shared drives, will receive an email notification informing them of the restriction and providing instructions on how to request a review if they believe the action was a mistake.

Account profile pictures added to Google Calendar on mobile for easier account identification and switching.

Google Calendar on mobile now displays the account profile picture in the top right corner, allowing users to quickly identify which account they are currently using. Clicking the profile picture enables users to toggle between enabled accounts, similar to other Google apps, while still maintaining visibility of events from all logged-in accounts.

Improved 'Automatically add invitations' setting to prevent unwanted calendar events.

Google Calendar has updated the 'Automatically add invitations' setting, allowing users to choose whether invitations are always added to their calendar or only added after they have RSVP'd via the email invitation. This update provides better control over calendar clutter and visibility for those with shared calendar access, ensuring only relevant events appear.

Quicker access to Google Workspace integrations in Google Chat via the + icon.

Users in Google Chat can now more easily access other Google Workspace products such as Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos, and Calendar by hovering over the + icon at the start of the text box. This feature is initially available on the Web and Android, with iOS support expected in early 2022.

Admins can now install Google Workspace Marketplace applications for specific groups.

Google Workspace admins can now use the 'admin-install' functionality to install Marketplace applications for specific groups within their organization. Previously, admin-installing applications was only possible for organizational units or an entire domain, but this update allows for more granular distribution to specific subsets of users, such as sales, marketing, or legal teams.

Manage Gmail IMAP controls by group in the Admin console

Administrators can now configure Gmail IMAP settings at the group level in the Admin console, allowing for more granular control over trusted mail clients within an organization. Previously, these settings were only configurable at the domain or organizational unit (OU) level.