Google Workspace Changes

New sharing dialog for Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms.

Google is updating the sharing interface for Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms on the web to make it easier to share files with specific people and manage access. The new dialog features a task-focused interface that separates sharing with people and groups from link-sharing, adds a quick 'copy link' button, and provides a clearer view of current file access to help users audit permissions more efficiently.

Context-Aware Access for SAML apps available in beta

We’re enhancing Context-Aware Access (CAA) with a beta that enables admins to use it to control SAML apps.

Google Meet introduces low-light mode for mobile devices to automatically enhance video quality in suboptimal lighting.

Google Meet now automatically enhances video to adapt to low light conditions on Android and iOS devices. The enhancement begins five seconds after entering a low-light area and intelligently adjusts as lighting conditions change. This feature is enabled by default but can be turned off in the in-call settings menu.

New data exfiltration protections for G Suite data on iOS devices.

Google has introduced new security controls for admins to prevent the exfiltration of corporate data on iOS devices. Admins can now restrict the ability to copy and paste data from G Suite accounts to other accounts and restrict dragging and dropping files from specific G Suite apps, including Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. This feature is available to G Suite Enterprise, G Suite Enterprise for Education, and Cloud Identity Premium customers.

Google Sites now supports access for accounts managed by Family Link.

Users with personal Google Accounts managed by Family Link can now view public sites and view or edit sites that are shared with them, specifically for sites created with the new Google Sites.

Google Sites adds announcement banners for time-sensitive updates.

Site owners can now create announcement banners that appear at the top of the site to highlight important, time-sensitive information for visitors, such as updated business hours or new assignment notifications.

Google Sites introduces new site templates for common use cases.

Google Sites has added 10 professional templates available in 16 languages to help users quickly create high-quality sites for help centers, project collaboration, class or team resources, club activities, and small businesses without requiring design or coding skills.

Google Meet now supports seeing up to 16 participants at once in tiled layout.

Google Meet has updated its tiled layout option, allowing users to see up to 16 participants simultaneously. This improvement is designed to enhance the dynamics of larger group meetings and classes by making it easier to track multiple speakers and see reactions, making remote meetings feel more like in-person interactions. This feature is currently available for Meet on the web.

Removal of 'Hangouts' from the Google Meet product name.

Google is dropping 'Hangouts' from the Google Meet name. This rebranding will be reflected within the product and across Google resources over the following few weeks.

Extension of advanced Google Meet features to all G Suite customers through September 30, 2020.

Google is extending the free availability of advanced Google Meet video-conferencing capabilities, including live streaming and recording, to all G Suite Basic, Business, Education, and Nonprofit customers until September 30, 2020, to support organizations and educators during the crisis.

Suspension of the turn-off for less secure app (LSA) access to G Suite accounts.

Google has suspended the scheduled turn-off of less secure app (LSA) access to G Suite accounts, which was originally planned for June 15, 2020. This suspension is intended to minimize disruptions for organizations managing remote workforces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Google recommends that administrators migrate to OAuth authentication and assures that a 12-month window will be provided once the turn-off timeline is restarted.

Less secure app turn-off suspended until further notice

Suspending the less secure app (LSA) turn-off until further notice. All previously announced timeframes no longer apply.

Create pointers to any file or folder in Google Drive with shortcuts

Shortcuts in Drive make it easier to organize content and point users to relevant information and files across various drives.

Google Drive is transitioning to a single-location file model.

Starting September 30, 2020, it will no longer be possible to place a file in multiple folders in My Drive. All files already living in multiple locations will be gradually migrated to shortcuts to ensure every file resides in a single location.

Create pointers to any file or folder in Google Drive with shortcuts

Shortcuts in Drive make it easier to organize content and point users to relevant information and files across various drives.