Google Workspace Changes

Google Chat introduces the ability to forward messages across different conversations.

Google Chat is introducing a new feature that allows users to forward messages between direct messages and spaces, eliminating the need for copying and pasting or using screenshots. Forwarded messages preserve the original sender, source, and attachments, and can be moved from threads into the main conversation stream. While there are restrictions on forwarding between internal and external organizations, users can forward messages from external conversations to internal ones. A security reminder appears when forwarding from DMs to protect sensitive information.

Introducing the new Feeds app for Google Chat to bring real-time external updates from Atom or RSS feeds directly into group conversations and spaces.

The new Feeds app for Google Chat allows teams to integrate real-time external updates, such as news, blog posts, and industry research from any Atom or RSS feed, directly into their Google Chat group conversations and spaces. This eliminates the need for context switching as new posts from subscribed feeds are automatically sent to a designated Chat space, keeping all team members informed within their ongoing project discussions. Key features include automatic content delivery, the ability to add and manage multiple subscriptions per-space, with management restricted to the user who created the subscription.

Google Chat is moving to a new web address, chat.google.com, for a faster and more reliable experience.

Google Chat is transitioning to a new web address, chat.google.com, from its previous location at mail.google.com/chat. This change aims to provide a faster and more reliable web experience without altering the user interface. Existing bookmarks and links will continue to function. Admins and developers should ensure extensions are compatible with the new address, and update URL blocklists or website-specific policies to include chat.google.com. Users may need to update Chrome extensions for Chat to ensure proper functionality. Blocking chat.google.com will break the ability to use Chat within Gmail and Google Meet.

Google Chat space owners and managers can now disable the 'request to join' option for their spaces, restricting access via links.

A new setting in Google Chat allows space owners and managers to control whether users can request to join a space. Previously, users could send a request to join if they received a link to a restricted space. With this update, space owners and managers can now disable the 'request to join' option, preventing users from requesting access when attempting to join a space via a link. This provides greater control over space membership.

Preview the last unread message in Google Chat conversations directly from the left-hand menu without marking it as read.

Google Chat is introducing a new feature that allows users to preview the last unread message in conversations directly from the left-hand menu by simply hovering over a bolded conversation. This enables users to triage messages without marking them as read. When ready to engage, users can click to jump straight into the conversation or thread.

Inline threading is rolling out for direct messages and group direct messages in Google Chat, allowing users to reply in-thread to any message in direct conversations for better organization.

Inline threading, previously exclusive to Spaces, is now being introduced to direct messages (DMs) and group direct messages (gDMs) in Google Chat. This highly anticipated feature aims to streamline the Chat experience by enabling users to reply in-thread to individual messages in direct conversations, thereby enhancing conversation organization and reducing clutter in the main chat stream.

Redesigned Google Chat conversation header with simpler navigation and side panel for shared content and tasks.

Google Chat on the web is introducing a redesigned conversation header that offers a simpler, more consistent layout, making key tools more accessible. This update includes a new side panel for users to access shared files, links, media, and manage tasks directly within the conversation view, with options to adjust its width or expand to full-screen. The header now features icons for quick navigation to 'Shared', 'Tasks', 'Threads', and 'Board'.

Improved Workday Google Chat app for managing time off, including requests, views, cancellations, and checking balances/holidays.

The Workday Google Chat app has been updated to provide a more streamlined experience for managing time off. This includes a single, improved flow that allows users to easily request, view, or cancel their time off requests. Additionally, the update introduces quick commands that enable users to check their time off balances and review company holidays directly within the Google Chat application, enhancing efficiency and user convenience for Workday users.

Enhanced logging and display of Chat app usage for Google Workspace admins.

Google Workspace admins can now gain better insights into how Chat apps are utilized within their organization. This is achieved through enhanced Chat event logs, which include Chat app-related events. Admins can use these logs to identify which Chat apps are in use, in what Spaces, which apps have been added or removed, and the most popular Chat apps. This information is accessible via BigQuery log export, the Reports API, and soon, the Security Investigation Tool (SIT).

Users can now send expressive stickers in their Google Chat conversations on the web.

Google Chat on the web now allows users to send expressive stickers in their conversations, offering another way to communicate alongside emojis, GIFs, and other media. This feature is available in both the standalone Google Chat application and within the Chat tab in Gmail. There are no admin controls for this feature, and it is enabled by default for end-users. Users can access stickers via the GIF/Sticker icon in the message field. The feature is available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.

Add lists and code blocks to Google Chat app cards.

Developers can now enrich Google Chat app cards with ordered, unordered, and nested lists, as well as code blocks. These features are crucial for displaying structured data, programming examples, and organizing complex details, significantly enhancing the readability and comprehension of information for users.

Google Chat apps now support Markdown for text formatting.

Google Chat apps now offer new Markdown support for text formatting, simplifying the card-building process for developers. This is particularly beneficial for AI agents, as standard outputs from many Large Language Models (LLMs) are in markdown, eliminating the need for manual conversion to HTML.

New carousel widget for more engaging Google Chat apps.

Developers can now create more engaging Google Chat apps using a new carousel widget. This widget enables the display of complex and organized information in a horizontally scrollable and compact format, allowing for product listings, multiple data points, or various options within a single card, thereby enhancing the user experience.

Introduction of 'owner' role in Google Chat spaces, alongside existing manager and member roles, for more flexible permission management.

Google Chat spaces are introducing a new 'owner' role, in addition to the existing managers and members. This change aims to facilitate easier sharing of space management tasks among colleagues. Existing space managers will automatically become owners, retaining full control. A new 'manager' role will have most owner permissions but cannot delete the space or upgrade users to owners. The 'member' role remains unchanged. Both owners and managers will be able to control permissions within space settings, such as who can use '@all', add apps, or manage chat history.

Google Chat apps will now automatically install into future conversations after initial user installation, removing the need for manual re-installation.

Google Chat is introducing a new feature that will automatically add Chat apps to future conversations once they have been installed by a user. Previously, users were required to manually install a Chat app into every space, group chat, and direct message. This update streamlines the process, allowing users to initiate actions with an app, such as creating a poll, and have the app automatically available in subsequent conversations without needing to reinstall it. Admins can still control app installation permissions and can also choose to pre-install apps for their organization.