Google Workspace Changes

Default Google account avatars are being replaced with custom avatars showing the user's initials.

Google is replacing the default account avatar for users with Google+ enabled who have not added a profile photo. The new default avatar will display the account owner's given-name initial, or a plain colored avatar/family name initial if a monogram cannot be generated. This change will first appear in the Google Bar and gradually roll out across all Google products.

Google launches the Apps Script Execution API

Google has launched the Apps Script Execution API, which enables developers and Apps admins to expose the full utility of Apps Script to any application, including mobile apps for Android and iOS.

Google Calendar Chrome Web Store app URL update

Starting October 1, 2015, the Google Calendar Chrome Web Store app will be automatically updated to use the new calendar.google.com URL. Users with offline sync enabled are advised to confirm their offline settings once the update is active.

Main Google Calendar URL changing to calendar.google.com

The main Google Calendar URL is changing from www.google.com/calendar to calendar.google.com to increase security. The rollout is scheduled for Rapid release domains in mid-October, with Scheduled release domains following two weeks later.

New formatting options for pasting content in Google Sheets.

Google Sheets now offers alternative formatting options after pasting content via a small widget that appears in the bottom corner of the pasted cells. Users can select 'Paste values only' to remove formatting or 'Paste format only' to apply only the cell's style. Additionally, Chrome users can use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + V to automatically paste values without formatting.

Google releases version 5.0 of the Google Apps Migration for IBM Notes (GAMIN) tool.

Version 5.0 of the Google Apps Migration for IBM Notes (GAMIN) tool is now available. This update introduces Service Accounts and OAuth 2.0 tokens for data migration, utilizes the Gmail API for mail migration and label creation, and features a simplified architecture including a new 5-step Quick Setup wizard and the ability to auto-update Domino directory Server and Configuration document settings.

Enhanced presentation controls and video toggling in the Google Slides Android app.

The Google Slides Android app now allows presenters to change and preview slides directly from their phone's lock screen via a notification, eliminating the need to unlock the device to advance slides. Additionally, users can now toggle between their presentation and video when presenting to Google Hangouts by tapping the video camera icon.

Ability to insert and modify chart types in the Google Sheets Android app.

The Google Sheets Android app has been updated to allow users to insert charts and change their types directly within the mobile application. For example, users can now quickly change a bar chart inserted from Explore into a column chart without needing to use the web version of Sheets.

Google launches a brand new site for the Google Apps Marketplace.

Google has introduced a new site for the Google Apps Marketplace to make it easier for admins and employees to find third-party applications that integrate with Google Apps for Work. The new site features a home page highlighting popular apps and new arrivals, improved search functionality, and a navigation bar for better discoverability.

New features and performance improvements for the Google Drive iOS app.

A new version of the Google Drive iOS app is being released, introducing the ability to multi-select files to keep offline, star, or organize. The update also allows users to share, rename, or view file details more quickly and includes general performance improvements.

Google Calendar URL is changing from www.google.com/calendar to calendar.google.com.

To increase security, Google is changing the main Google Calendar URL to calendar.google.com. While the old URL will redirect to the new one, users may need to re-grant browser notification permissions, and developers of Chrome extensions or custom tools that parse the Calendar URL structure are advised to update their software to ensure continued functionality.

New Themes in Google Slides

Google Slides has introduced 22 new themes, accessible via a new Themes side panel, allowing users to quickly change the visual style of their presentations.

Partial cell formatting in Google Sheets

Users can now select and apply text formatting to only a portion of the characters within a single cell in Google Sheets on the web and Android app.

Explore in Google Sheets

The Explore feature in Google Sheets (web and Android) automatically analyzes spreadsheet data to create dynamic charts, surface insights, and perform instant calculations.

Hangouts services and web traffic will be served from ‘hangouts.google.com’.

Following the launch of the new standalone Google Hangouts homepage, Hangouts-related services and web traffic will be served from ‘hangouts.google.com’ in addition to existing host names. This change is rolling out gradually over the coming weeks for both Rapid and Scheduled release tracks, with no required action for Apps customers.