Google Workspace Changes

Postponing the final transition date from classic Hangouts to Hangouts Chat to no sooner than June 2020.

Officially postponing the final transition date (i.e. phase 4 in this timeline) to no sooner than June 2020. In the interim, Google will continue to improve the transition experience of classic Hangouts group conversations, as well as add new Chat features like Read receipts.

Hangouts Meet is launching adaptive layouts that automatically adjust to give you the best view of the people and presentations in your meeting

Hangouts Meet is launching adaptive layouts that automatically adjust to give you the best view of the people and presentations in your meeting: Spotlight, Tiled, Side by side, Sidebar. In addition to seeing these layouts automatically used depending on the meeting needs, users can select a preferred layout from the Change layout dialog.

Moving notification settings for classic Hangouts conversations to notification channels on O+ Android devices.

Moving notification settings for classic Hangouts conversations to notification channels on O+ Android devices. With these changes, customized ring tones and chat messaging tones per conversation/contact will be removed and defaulted to the general app settings.

Announcing upcoming Hangouts service consolidation for all G Suite customers.

Announcing that later this year, classic Hangouts users on G Suite domains will transition to Chat and Meet. As a first step, some changes are coming on April 16, 2019.

Google expands the Hangouts Meet ecosystem with Pexip interoperability and a new peripheral qualification program.

Google has partnered with Pexip to enable seamless interoperability between Hangouts Meet and other video conferencing systems, including Skype for Business, Polycom, and Cisco. Additionally, Google introduced a peripheral qualification program to certify cameras, audio devices, and cables for use with Hangouts Meet hardware. This program includes the certification of the Logitech MeetUp camera and speakerphone, as well as USB 3.0 extenders and hubs from Lindy and Newnex, ensuring quality and reliability through automatic over-the-air firmware updates.

Hangouts Meet becomes compatible with traditional video conferencing systems and Skype for Business.

Google is making Hangouts Meet compatible with traditional video conferencing hardware from providers like Polycom and Cisco through a partnership with Pexip. Additionally, users of Microsoft Skype for Business will be able to join Hangouts Meet meetings directly from their Skype application.

Hangouts Meet is now compatible with Firefox version 60 and above.

To ensure a seamless transition to Meet, Google has added compatibility with Firefox starting on version 60. Meet utilizes native WebRTC protocols, which removes the requirement for any downloads or plugins when using the service in the Firefox browser.

G Suite domains are migrating from classic Hangouts to Hangouts Meet for new Calendar events.

Starting May 29, 2018, Google is enabling Hangouts Meet for all G Suite domains that are automatically upgrading on Google's recommended schedule. Consequently, all newly created Google Calendar events will contain Meet video meeting details, while previously created meetings will remain unaffected. Admins can revert to classic Hangouts for new meetings via the Admin console if desired.

Migrating all G Suite domains from classic Hangouts to Hangouts Meet.

Starting May 29th, Google will enable Hangouts Meet for all G Suite domains that are automatically upgrading on Google’s recommended schedule. This means that all newly created Google Calendar events will contain Meet video meeting details.

Updates to Hangouts Meet home screen, screensaver, and custom wallpapers for in-room displays.

Google has introduced several updates to the Hangouts Meet TV display to improve user orientation. These include displaying the room agenda on the in-room display even when a touchscreen is connected, moving the clock and logo to the top of the screen, adding a new Meet logo screensaver for idle devices, and allowing administrators to upload custom wallpapers via the Admin console for specific organizational units.

International Hangouts Meet dial-in phone numbers added for Colombia, Croatia, Lithuania, and Portugal.

Google has expanded the availability of international dial-in phone numbers for Hangouts Meet to four additional markets: Colombia, Croatia, Lithuania, and Portugal. This functionality is available exclusively for G Suite Enterprise edition users, enabling teams to stay connected by dialing into meetings from these regions.

All G Suite customers can now create Hangouts Meet meetings with dial-in phone numbers.

Google has expanded dial-in capabilities for Hangouts Meet, allowing all G Suite users to include a US dial-in phone number in meetings created via Google Calendar. While all G Suite editions now have access to US dial-in, international dial-in numbers remain exclusive to G Suite Enterprise users. Administrators maintain the ability to disable the dial-in feature through the Admin console.

US dial-in feature for Hangouts Meet is now available to all business and education customers.

The US dial-in feature in Hangouts Meet, which allows users to join meetings via phone, is being made available to all business and education customers and will be rolled out in the coming months.

Dial-in phone numbers for Hangouts Meet expanded to six additional countries.

Google has expanded the availability of international Hangouts Meet dial-in phone numbers for G Suite Enterprise domains to six additional markets: Dominican Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, and Luxembourg.

Call US or Canadian phone numbers for free from Hangouts Meet

G Suite users can now add participants to a Hangouts Meet video call by calling US or Canadian phone numbers for free directly from their web browser. While this feature initially required G Suite admins to enable Google Voice in the Admin console, an update on May 15, 2018, removed this requirement, making the feature accessible to all G Suite domains.