Google Workspace Changes

Google Meet users can now connect to nearby conference room hardware using a 5-character room code.

Google Meet hardware now supports connecting via a 5-character alphanumeric room code entered on a personal device, providing a reliable manual fallback when proximity-based detection is unavailable or disabled. To maintain security, users must physically confirm their presence by tapping the hardware screen after entering the code, and the codes refresh every few minutes. This feature is currently available in Early Preview for domains on the Rapid Release track.

Android-based all-in-one room devices from Neat and Logitech are now certified for Google Meet.

The Neat Board series (32, 50, and Pro) and the Logitech Rally Board 65 are now certified for Google Meet as the first Android-based all-in-one devices. These devices feature touch displays for video meetings and interactive whiteboarding via Figma, Lucid, and Miro add-ons, and are available for order through authorized partners.

Google Meet hardware introduces 'Connect Room' for seamless meeting joins via personal devices.

The 'Connect Room' feature allows users to start or join meetings on Google Meet hardware from their personal devices using ultrasound proximity detection, eliminating the need to manually enter meeting codes. This update includes room disambiguation to help users select the correct room in areas with multiple conference rooms and updated in-room UI instructions to guide users toward the 'Connect Room' experience.

Admins can now assign or unassign Google Calendars to Google Meet hardware devices in bulk via CSV upload.

Google is introducing a new capability for administrators to manage calendar assignments for Meet hardware devices in bulk. By utilizing a CSV file with the 'assignedCalendarResourceEmail' column, admins can assign or unassign calendars across multiple devices simultaneously, reducing administrative effort for large organizations. Note that while personal calendars can be assigned to multiple devices, room calendar resources are limited to one device at a time, requiring a two-step CSV process to move them between devices.

New 'Video calling' setting to enable or disable video calling on Google Meet hardware devices.

Google is introducing a 'Video calling' setting for Google Meet hardware, allowing administrators to turn video calling on or off at both the device level and the customer level for newly-enrolled devices. This feature supports secure setup processes, enabling installers to enroll devices with video calling disabled and allowing admins to enable it once the device is in a secure environment. Additionally, Calendar has been moved into its own distinct setting.

Google Meet hardware now includes a 'Reboot when idle' option for administrators.

Administrators can now choose to reboot Google Meet hardware devices only when they are idle, preventing disruptions to ongoing meetings, presentations, or add-on activities. This adds a 'Reboot when idle' option alongside the existing 'Reboot now' force-restart capability in the Admin console, allowing the system to intelligently wait for device inactivity before initiating a restart.

Admins can now choose to wait for device inactivity before rebooting Google Meet hardware.

Google Meet hardware devices can now be rebooted by administrators with more flexibility. A new "Reboot when idle" option allows administrators to queue a reboot to occur only when all user activity has ceased, avoiding interruptions to ongoing meetings or device usage. Previously, only an immediate reboot was possible, requiring careful timing. This enhancement provides two reboot options: "Reboot when the device becomes idle" and "Reboot now, even if the device is in use."

Logitech Rally Bar devices now support continuous framing.

Logitech Rally Bar, Rally Bar Mini, and Rally Bar Huddle devices now support built-in continuous framing. When enabled, the camera adjusts to optimally frame participants in the meeting room. This feature is accessible to meeting participants via the touch controller. Admins can configure default camera framing options.

View invited meeting participants and their RSVP status on Google Meet hardware devices.

Users can now see participants who were invited to a meeting but have not yet joined directly on Google Meet hardware devices under the 'Also invited' heading. This includes the ability to see the RSVP status of all invitees, including optional attendees, allowing for more efficient meeting starts. Guest lists are hidden for events with more than 50 guests, and participants invited via groups are not displayed.

See invited meeting participants on Google Meet hardware devices.

Google Meet hardware now displays participants invited to the meeting, including their RSVP status. This allows for efficient meeting starts by quickly identifying who hasn't joined or has declined. Guest lists are hidden for events exceeding 50 guests, and invited groups are not displayed.

Google Meet hardware now supports Comeen and StratosMedia for custom digital signage screensavers.

Admins can now use Comeen or StratosMedia digital signage content as screensavers across their Google Meet hardware fleet. This opt-in feature is managed at the organizational unit (OU) level via the admin console. Users should note that Comeen and StratosMedia are paid services and that power-saving settings should be adjusted to ensure the custom screensavers remain visible during working hours.

Google Meet hardware from Logitech now supports Webex and Zoom calls.

Logitech Android-based Google Meet hardware devices now support Cisco Webex and Zoom calls. Users can join Webex and Zoom calls directly from these devices, enabling collaboration with more customers and partners. This feature is enabled by default and can be disabled in the Admin console.

Customize digital signage on Google Meet hardware with Comeen and StratosMedia.

Admins can now use Comeen or StratosMedia digital signage content on Google Meet hardware devices. This allows existing digital signage content to be used as screensavers. Comeen and StratosMedia are paid services. Custom screen savers are managed at the OU-level.

Layout selection now available for interoperability between Google Meet hardware and Zoom Rooms.

Google is expanding interoperability support between Google Meet devices and Zoom Rooms to allow users to change meeting layouts for better focus and engagement. Users joining a Google Meet call from Zoom Rooms can now select between tiled, speaker spotlight, or sidebar views. Similarly, users joining Zoom Meetings from a Google Meet hardware device can choose between gallery or speaker views through the device settings.

Layout selection is now available between Google Meet hardware and Zoom Rooms calls.

Interoperability support between Google Meet devices and Zoom Rooms now includes support for changing the meeting layout. Users can select between tiled view, speaker spotlight view, or sidebar view when joining a Google Meet call from Zoom Rooms. When joining Zoom Meetings from a Google Meet hardware device, users can choose between gallery or speaker view.