Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – October 11, 2024

1 New update

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.

Create an email for a Google Chat space from the Admin console  
Earlier this year, we introduced a new feature that enables users to send emails to spaces in Google Chat. When this launched, existing Google Group policies determined by the domain admin were respected. For example, if the admin restricted group creation in their organization, users would also be restricted from generating emails for spaces in Chat. To improve upon this experience, we’re happy to announce that admins can now create an email for a space from the Admin console. To do so, navigate to Google Chat > ‘Manage spaces’ > select a space > ‘Space settings’ > click ‘Generate email’ to create an email address for the space. In addition, email conversations sent to spaces will now show replies in a thread instead of as separate cards in the message stream. | The Admin console update is rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. Threading for emails in spaces will rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains starting on October 17, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about sending emails to spaces in Chat.
Generating an email in the Admin console

Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
New document tabs in Google Docs provide a better way to organize your documents 
We’ve introduced document tabs in Google Docs, a new feature to help you organize longer documents, centralize information, and make collaboration easier. | Learn more about tabs in Docs. 
New and improved widgets for Google Chat app cards 
This week, we introduced new and improved widgets for Chat app cards. | Learn more about widgets for Chat app cards. 
Ask responders for a rating in Google Forms 
To add to the list of question types that users can respond to in Google Forms and enable the collection of feedback in a more engaging way, we’re introducing a rating question type. | Learn more about rating questions in Forms.
Send video messages in Google Chat 
We’re introducing video messages in Chat, a new capability that helps you save time, convey more information, add tone or emphasis, and can be useful in a number of scenarios. | Learn more about video messages in Chat. 
Transcriptions now available for voice messages in Google Chat 
Users will now be able to see an automatic transcription of voice messages in Chat on web and mobile. | Learn more about Chat transcriptions. 
Automate meeting recording, transcripts and notes for your Google Meet meetings 
Admins now have the option to configure meeting recordings, meeting transcripts, and “take notes for me” as on by default for newly created meetings. Meeting hosts and co-hosts can edit these settings in the Calendar invite, as well as turn these artifacts off during the meeting. | Learn more about automating meeting recordings, transcripts and notes for meetings. 
Third-party smart chips now available in Google Sheets
Users can now add smart chips that pull information from third party apps into Sheets, and also paste third-party chips inserted in Docs directly into a spreadsheet. | Learn more about third-party smart chips in Sheets. 
Easily find and connect to featured partner apps from the Google Workspace Marketplace 
We’re adding a new category within the Google Workspace Marketplace: Featured partner apps. Here, you can quickly find and install the most popular Google Workspace apps. | Learn more about partner apps Marketplace.
Available in open beta: Easily migrate files from Microsoft OneDrive to Google Drive
Under the umbrella of our data migration services, we’re introducing a new file migration service for Admins to transfer files between OneDrive data to Google Drive for up to 100 users at a time. | Learn more about migrating files from OneDrive to Google Drive.
Improve Google Meet livestreaming experience with more insight on eCDN performance
We’re enhancements that will give admins greater insight to better optimize their eCDN configuration. | Learn more about Meet livestreaming. 

Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.

Rapid Release Domains: 
Scheduled Release Domains: 
Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains: 

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What's new in Google Workspace (recent releases).