Google Workspace Changes

Introducing a new quick action to access popular features in Google Meet, such as video effects and reframing.

We are introducing a new quick action to access popular features in Google Meet. By hovering the mouse on top of your own video feed, you can access video effects such as immersive backgrounds or fun filters to bring more fun to your meetings and a reframing option to improve your visibility.

If you’re using a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to join a Google Meet meeting, you can now use background blur and light adjustment.

If you’re using a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to join a Google Meet meeting, you can now use background blur and light adjustment. Background blur will intelligently separate you from the background, blurring your surroundings while keeping you clear and in focus. Light adjustment automatically detects when you appear underexposed and enhances the brightness to improve your visibility.

Adding flexibility to email collection in Google Forms

Google Forms has introduced more flexible email collection options. Form creators can now choose between Verified email collection (requiring user confirmation), Responder input (manual entry), or opting not to collect email addresses at all, replacing the previous simple on/off toggle.

Gain consensus from collaborators quickly with voting chips in Google Docs

Google Docs now supports smart chips containing emojis that act as voting indicators. This feature allows teams to rank or compare ideas more efficiently while collaborating within a document.

New companion mode check-in feature for Google Meet conference rooms.

Google Meet has introduced a companion mode check-in feature that allows users joining a meeting from a conference room to check in using their personal devices. This ensures that participants are identified by their individual names in the people panel and during interactions like hand raising or presenting, rather than being represented solely by the conference room's name, fostering a more inclusive and equitable hybrid meeting experience.

Use companion mode to check-in to a Google Meet conference room, so everyone can know you by name

If you’re joining a meeting from a conference room, you can use companion mode on your personal device to check in to that specific room. Room check-in allows everyone on the call to easily identify who is in the conference room, rather than simply seeing the conference room name.

Admins can now clear previously set default peripherals in the Admin console.

Admins now have the ability to clear previously set default peripherals from the peripheral tree on the device detail page in the Google Meet hardware Admin console. Previously, removing a default peripheral was only possible by assigning a different peripheral as the new default.

Admins can now monitor additional Google Meet hardware issues in the Admin console.

Google has expanded the monitoring capabilities in the Admin console for Google Meet hardware. Admins can now detect and monitor issues such as missing displays, controllers, and default peripherals (camera, microphone, speaker, and whiteboard camera). These issues are visible in the peripheral status on the Device list page and the issue timeline, and they are supported by email and SMS alerts.

Google Vault now supports custom retention rules based on Google Drive labels.

Google Vault now allows administrators to set fine-grained, file-level retention policies using Google Drive labels. This update enables the use of configurable label conditions such as 'label is,' 'label is not,' and 'label date is before,' and supports sub-labels as well as nested and conditional application of overlapping and distinct rules to enhance record retention management and compliance.

Enhancing Google Vault file retention capabilities using Google Drive Labels

Google Drive labels are metadata your organization defines to help organize, find, and apply policies to files in Drive. As an administrator, you can create labels to apply to files stored in Drive. Starting today, Google Vault now supports custom retention rules based on Drive labels.

New in-file experience for responding to file access requests.

Google is introducing a new file access experience that allows file approvers to review and respond to pending access requests directly from within the file (Docs, Sheets, Slides, PDFs, etc.). Approvers will see a notification dot on the 'Share' button and a banner within the sharing dialog when requests are pending, providing a more efficient alternative to responding via email.

Programmatically write working locations using the Calendar API (Beta).

Google is launching a beta feature through the Developer Preview Program that allows developers to programmatically write a user's working location using the Calendar API. This capability enables the synchronization of working locations with third-party tools, such as hot desk booking or travel booking systems. The feature is available for eligible Google Workspace editions, including Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise, Education, and Nonprofits.

New custom zoom settings for more granular views in Google Slides.

Users can now customize their views in Google Slides with new custom zoom settings, allowing them to either input a specific zoom percentage or select from preset percentages in the drop-down menu at the top of the presentation.

Drive log events expanded to Business Starter and Essentials Starter editions.

Drive log events, which enable administrators to access an audit and investigation page to run searches related to Drive activity, are now available for Google Workspace Business Starter and Essentials Starter editions.

Third-party smart chips are now generally available in Google Docs.

Google Docs has introduced third-party smart chips, enabling users to integrate and preview critical information from external applications directly within their documents. By installing partner add-ons from the Google Workspace Marketplace and pasting a link from a supported third-party source (such as Atlassian, Figma, Miro, or Whimsical), users can convert links into smart chips by pressing 'tab', streamlining workflows and collaboration.