Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - June 14, 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.

Make a space discoverable to a target audience using the Google Chat API 
Earlier this year, we introduced the option to create discoverable spaces using the Google Chat API through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Programme. We're excited to announce this is now generally available for Google Workspace developers. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release domains and Scheduled Release domains | Available to all Google Workspace customers | Learn more about discoverable spaces.

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.

Stay on top of shared Drive files with automatic digest emails 
If you haven't been active on Drive for 7 days and have multiple shared files that are unviewed, we'll send you a reminder email that summarises the files. | Learn more about automatic digest emails for Drive files. 
Adding audit logs to Gemini for Google Workspace activity 
We're introducing the ability for admins to see new audit logs in Google Drive for activity triggered by Gemini for Google Workspace. | Learn more about audit logs for Gemini. 
Google Meet add-ons are now available on Android devices 
We're expanding access to Google Meet add-ons, now to Android devices, so you can find, install, and use third and first-party applications right from within the Meet app. | Learn more about Meet add-ons. 
Updated design for meeting controls in Google Meet 
Google Meet is gradually improving and modernising the in-call experience with the Material 3 Design System. This week, we are announcing the first update, which is specific to the lower bar of in-call controls in Meet. | Learn more about updated designs for meeting controls in Google Meet.
Google Classroom now supports grade category and co-teacher imports from SIS partners
Starting this week, teachers can now import their grade categories and co-teachers from their linked SIS. | Learn more about import grading categories or co-teachers
Google Meet now supports high definition video for meeting recording and devices 
Full HD video content is now available for recorded meetings and sending full HD video is now available on all computers with 1080p cameras. Learn more about new video support in Meet.

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).   

The Calendar API now distinguishes events created from Gmail

What's changing

Starting May 30, 2024, the Calendar API will distinguish events created from Gmail. New and existing events from Gmail that are scheduled for a future date will:

Appear with a new event Type "fromGmail" instead of "default".Include the email recipient as the organiser instead of "unknownorganizer@calendar.google.com".New "fromGmail" filters for both Events.list and Events.watch will be available.

In Google Calendar clients events from email may be rendered slightly differently to regular events and show a link back to the original email:

Google Calendar limits edits for events from email:

Additional details

If you're using the Calendar API, we recommend the following to help avoid any disruptions in your applications:
Ensure that your code does not apply restricted updates to events with the type "fromGmail".Temporarily, updates on events with the type "fromGmail" are restricted to the properties reminders, colourId, visibility, status, and extendedProperties. Stay tuned to the Workspace updates blog for more information.Review your code if it filters by eventType for Events.list or Events.watch. Filtering by eventType "default" will no longer return events extracted from emails.

Getting started

Developers: Use our Developer Documentation for more information about the Calendar API eventTypeEnd users: There is no end user action required. Visit the Help Centre to learn more about managing events automatically imported from Gmail.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 30, 2024

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - May 31, 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.

Interactive features now available for ultra-low latency live streams on mobile devices 
If you're joining a live stream from the Google Meet Android or iOS app, you can now use interactive features such as reactions, Q&A, and polls when they're available. Note that this update is applicable for ultra-low latency live streams only, the standard live streaming experience remains the same. | Live streaming is available for Google Workspace Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Enterprise Essentials Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Education Plus customers. | Live streamed meetings can be viewed by Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Education Plus, Essentials Starter, and Essentials users. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains and Scheduled Release domains is complete.

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.

Introducing audit logs for these API-based actions 
We added audit logs for these API-based actions to the security investigation tool and the audit and investigation tool to expand upon an admin's ability to identify, triage, and take action on security and privacy issues in their domain. | Learn more about audit logs for these API-based actions. 
Now generally available: Edit client-side encrypted Excel files in Google Sheets 
Last year, we announced a beta for the ability to view and edit client-side encrypted Excel files with Google Sheets. Starting this week, we're rolling it out in general availability for select customers. | Learn more about CSE Excel files in Sheets. 
Personal information cards and Contacts sidebar will now display the organisation name 
Starting this week, the organisation name and department will be displayed on personal information cards and in the Contacts sidebar. | Learn more about organisation name displays. 
Gemini for Workspace usage reports are now available in Admin console 
We've introduced Gemini for Workspace usage reports in the Admin console. This report gives admins an overarching view of how Gemini is being used in their organisation, specifically: assigned Gemini licenses, active Gemini users, and the number of users who are using Gemini over time. | Learn more about Gemini usage reports. 
The Calendar API now distinguishes events created from Gmail 
The Calendar API will distinguish events created from Gmail. New and existing events from Gmail that are scheduled for a future date will: 1) appear with a new event Type "fromGmail" instead of "default", 2) include the email recipient as the organiser instead of "unknownorganizer@calendar.google.com" and 3) new "fromGmail" filters for both Events.list and Events.watch will be available. | Learn more about the Calendar API.

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).   

Stay up to date on important changes in your Google Sheets

This announcement was part of Google Cloud Next '24. Visit the Workspace Blog to learn more about the next wave of innovations in Workspace, including enhancements to Gemini for Google Workspace.

What's changing

In order to provide greater visibility into spreadsheet changes most relevant to your workflow and help enable more efficient team communication, we're introducing conditional notifications. 
These allow you to create rules in spreadsheets that send email notifications when certain criteria are met. When a specific change is made, such as a column value change or a specific range of cell changes, you will receive an email notification with alerts of what occurred in the spreadsheet and who made the update. You also have the option to configure the notifications for others by inputting their email addresses during the notification setup. 

Who's impacted 

End users 

Why it matters 

Conditional notifications keep you and your stakeholders up to date on recent changes within a spreadsheet. You can set rules to notify you (or others) when: 
Tasks have changed status or owner in a project tracker Certain items reach a certain number of stock in an inventory tracker A number drops below a certain value in a forecast analysis 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users: If you own or have edit-access to a Sheet, you can set notifications when: A range of cells changes value A range of cells matches a particular condition To set conditional notifications, open your spreadsheet, go to Tools > Conditional notifications > Add rule. You can also right-click directly on a spreadsheet and select Conditional notifications. Note: The rules are assigned default names automatically. However, you can update the name of the rule by utilising the text editor. Visit the Help Centre to learn how to use conditional notifications.

Rollout pace 

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 4, 2024 Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 18, 2024 

Availability

Available for Google Workspace: 
Business Standard, Plus Enterprise Starter, Standard, Plus Education Plus Enterprise Essentials 

Resources 

Request to join spaces in Google Chat

What's changing

Currently, to join a private space in Google Chat, a space member must invite or add you to the space. To make it even easier to more broadly share information, build communities and foster discussion across your organisation, we're introducing the ability for users to request to join a space upon receiving a link to that space. 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users: To share a space, copy the space link by going to the space header > dropdown menu > 'Copy link to this space'.To request to join a space, click on the space link > 'Request to join'.Note that users outside of your organisation will not be able to join a space in your domain, even with the shared link.Space managers receive requests via a private message from the Google Chat App and have the option to approve or deny the request.Visit the Help Center to learn more about joining a space in Google Chat.

Rollout pace 

Web:
Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 5, 2024 Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 24, 2024 Mobile:
Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 5, 2024 

Availability 

Available to all Google Workspace customers and Workspace Individual Subscribers 

Resources 

Rollout Update: framing support for Series One Desk 27 and Board 65 devices and remote controlled devices

What's changing

We recently announced several updates related to framing options on Google Hardware devices. One of these updates was adding framing support for Series One Desk 27 and Board 65 devices, as well as remote controlled Meet hardware devices. We'd like to provide update rollout information for this feature: 
Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 6, 2024

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control or action required.End users: Visit the Help Centre to learn more about using device-based framing.

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices

Resources

Google Meet now supports high definition video for meeting recording and devices

What's changing 

Full HD video content is now available for recorded meetings 
For recorded meetings in Google Meet, we're increasing the maximum resolution for the speaker's video feed from 720p to 1080p. Meet already supports 1080p recordings for presented content - together, these enhancements increase viewing quality of meeting recordings. 
Sending full HD video is now available on all computers with 1080p cameras 
We're also pleased to announce that 1080p video resolution is now available on all computers with a 1080p capable camera. 1080p resolution is off by default and requires the user to opt-in via the settings menu.

Note that 1080p is only sent when recording is enabled or when one or more users have pinned the 1080p-enabled user on a screen large enough to render the 1080p video feed. In those specific scenarios, additional bandwidth will be required to send 1080p video, and Meet will automatically adjust the resolution if the device is bandwidth constrained.

Getting started

Admins: Video content and screen shared content in meeting recordings will be in 1080p by default. Visit the Help Centre to learn more about turning Meet recording on or off for your organisationNote that there is no admin control for sending 1080p video. It is off by default and requires the user to opt-in. 
End users:If enabled by your admin, use this Help Centre article to learn more about meeting recordings and who can record meetingsTo enable sending 1080p video, visit the Help Centre to learn more about how to change your camera resolution

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 14, 2024

Availability

Full HD video for meeting recordings:
Available for Google Workspace:Business Standard and PlusEnterprise Essentials and Essentials PlusEnterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus Education Plus and the Teaching & Learning Upgrade
Sending Full HD video on computers with 1080p cameras:
Available for Google Workspace
Business Standard and PlusEnterprise Starter, Standard, and PlusEducation Plus and the Teaching and Learning UpgradeEnterprise Essentials and Essentials PlusGoogle One subscribers with 2TB or more storage space

Google Classroom now supports grade category and co-teacher imports from SIS partners

What's changing

Since the beginning of this year, educators have been able to easily import students from their student information system (SIS) to Google Classroom using OneRoster. Today, we're introducing the option for teachers to import their grade categories and co-teachers from their linked SIS. 
Once an admin establishes a connection between their district SIS and Google Classroom, teachers can manually link new or existing Google Classroom classes to their SIS, then use the connection to export grades, import student rosters, and now, import grading categories or co-teachers. 

Getting started 

Admins: This feature is available for domains connected to a SIS partner-Aspen, Infinite Campus, Skyward SMS and Skyward Qmlativ. To enable the feature, go to http://classroom.google.com/admin. Visit the Help Centre to learn more about connecting your Classroom to your SIS. End users: If a SIS is connected by your admin, you can import grading categories by going to classroom.google.com > Class > Settings > Grading Categories > Import from SIS. Visit the Help Centre to learn more about using Classroom with your SIS and importing data from your Student Information System (SIS).

Rollout pace 

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 13, 2024 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
Education Plus and the Teaching & Learning Upgrade 

Resources


Google Workspace Admin Help: Connect Classroom to your SIS 
Google Help: Import data from your Student Information System (SIS) Google Help: Connect Classroom to your Student Information System (SIS) Google Help: Export grades to your Student Information System (SIS) gradebook Google Help: FAQ for Student Information System (SIS) integration for teachers Google Help: FAQ for Student Information System (SIS) integration for admins Google Help: Get started with Student Information System (SIS) roster import

Google Meet add-ons are now available on Android devices

What's changing 

We're expanding access to Google Meet add-ons, now to Android devices, so you can find, install, and use third and first-party applications right from within the Meet app. Meet add-ons were already available on desktop devices. Expansion to Android devices gives users more flexibility in accessing third-party apps while they're using Meet on the go. Meet add-ons on Android devices can be found in the "Activities" panel, where you typically see features like polls and Q&A. If you have desktop add-ons that are not currently available on mobile, they'll be categorised as "Unavailable."
Add-ons in the activity panel


Getting started

Admins: The visibility of add-ons is controlled by the supplemental add-on setting, which has separate toggles for the visibility of Google add-ons and featured third-party add-ons. You can review your configuration by going to Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Google Meet > Meet video settings.

Important note: this setting governs add-on availability for both the desktop and Android app. How you configure this setting will determine what types of add-ons your users will see. If you turn these settings off, they will not see any add-ons.

Visit the Help Centre to learn more about the supplemental add-ons setting for Google Meet

The supplemental add-ons setting in the Admin console

End users: Depending on how your admin has configured your experience, you may or may not be able to access add-ons in Google Meet using your Android device. Visit the Help Centre to learn more about using add-ons with Google Meet.

Rollout pace*

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 11, 2024Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1-3 days for feature visibility) starting on June 24, 2024
*We will eventually add the "Featured" category and "Get add-ons" (plus sign) button to align with the desktop experience. We'll share more info on the Workspace Updates blog when available.

Updated design for meeting controls in Google Meet

What's changing 

Google Meet is gradually improving and modernising the in-call experience with the Material 3 Design System. Today we are announcing the first update, which is specific to the lower bar of in-call controls in Meet. The controls will feature refreshed colours and dynamic shapes to highlight when you're muted or when the controls are active. Note that this is strictly a design update and that there are no changes to functionality. 
You'll see these updates when: 
Using Google Meet on the web, picture-in-picture mode, and using Meet within other apps like Docs or Slides. Watching a live stream from your browser. Using meeting room hardware within conference rooms.

BeforeAfter

Additional details

We'll be rolling out more updates over the course of the next year that will not only improve the look and feel of Meet, but help you discover and access meeting features quicker in a more intuitive way. Stay tuned to the Workspace Updates blog for more information.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin impact or action required.End users: You'll notice these improvements automatically. Visit the Help Centre to learn more about meeting controls

Rollout pace

Users with personal Google accounts
Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on Jun 11, 2024

Google Workspace users
Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 2, 2024Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 22, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts

Resources