Google Workspace Changes

Delegates can now edit working locations for the calendars they manage.

Users with delegate access to another person's Google Calendar can now fully edit working locations for the entire day or for specific portions of the day. This update is designed to assist those who manage calendars for others, such as executive assistants.

Google Calendar now allows users to set working locations for specific portions of the day.

Google Calendar is introducing the ability to set working locations for specific portions of the day rather than just the full day. This allows users in hybrid work environments to more accurately reflect their physical availability as it changes throughout the day.

New Google Calendar setting mutes notifications for the duration of your focus time directly in Calendar.

To increase concentration and bridge the gap between do not disturb and focus time, you can now mute notifications for the duration of your focus time directly in Calendar.

Mute Google Chat notifications directly when creating focus time in Google Calendar.

Google Calendar now allows users to mute notifications for the duration of their focus time directly within the Calendar interface. By checking the 'Do not disturb' box when adding a Focus time entry, users can automatically synchronize their Calendar focus time with Google Chat's do not disturb setting to minimize distractions during heads-down work.

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.

Improvements to Calendar Interoperability for better synchronization with Microsoft Outlook and other systems.

Google has improved Calendar Interoperability to ensure events created in different calendar systems are accurately propagated. Key updates include allowing Microsoft Outlook users with the same email to receive Google Calendar invites and RSVPs, generating default meeting reminders in Outlook for Google Calendar events, and improving the accuracy of updates for non-Google recurring events.

New Google Calendar shortcuts improve glanceability for screen reader users

Users of screen readers can now type a keyboard shortcut that verbalizes the content of an event, such as the title, date and time, guest list, and much more. These shortcuts greatly improve glanceability because they enable Calendar details to be heard on demand instead of time consuming navigation through information.

Admins can configure multiple role accounts in the Calendar Interop Admin console.

Starting this week, admins can configure multiple role accounts in the Calendar Interop Admin console. This will provide support for a higher number of requests and enable Calendar Interop to work more seamlessly at scale.

To continue using Calendar Interop, upgrade to OAuth 2.0 authentication before October 1, 2022.

On October 1, 2022, Microsoft will begin to remove the ability to use Basic authentication in Exchange Online for Exchange Web Services. To continue using Calendar Interop, upgrade to OAuth 2.0 authentication before October 1, 2022.

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.

Set tasks to repeat in Google Calendar

Users can now set tasks to repeat in Google Calendar and customize recurrence schedules. This includes the ability to create tasks with recurrence rules, edit the recurrence rules of existing tasks, and set specific end conditions for those rules.

Introduction of Focus time entry type in Google Calendar to block out time for individual work.

Google Calendar is introducing a new 'Focus time' entry type that allows users to block out and protect time for heads-down individual work. This feature features a distinct appearance with a headphones icon and provides the option to automatically decline conflicting events. Additionally, scheduled focus time is tracked in Time Insights, helping users manage their core work more effectively.

Create and share meeting notes documents directly from Google Calendar events.

Google Calendar now allows users to quickly start and share meeting notes documents for events. By using the 'Create meeting notes' button during event creation or the 'Take meeting notes' button in a scheduled event, a Google Doc is automatically generated, populated with event details, and attached to the calendar event. This integration streamlines the process of capturing notes and ensures easy navigation between the calendar event and the corresponding document.

Easily create group chats with meeting participants directly from Google Calendar events.

Google is adding a Chat icon next to the guest list within Google Calendar events on both web and mobile. This allows users to quickly create a group chat containing all internal organization participants of a meeting, making it simpler to communicate before, during, or after the event without relying solely on email.