Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – February 9, 2024

New updates 

There are no new updates to share this week. Please see below for a recap of published announcements. 

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.

Google Meet hosts can pin multiple tiles for all meeting participants 

If you’re a meeting host or co-host, you can now pin up to three specific tiles for all meeting participants. By doing so, you can help ensure the meeting is focused on key presentations and speakers. | Learn more about pinning multiple tiles in Meet.
Share spaces smart chips in Google Chat
You now have the ability to search for and insert a smart chip that links to a space. These new smart chips will make it easier to share and collaborate on content related to specific spaces. | Learn more about space smart chips.

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).  

  

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – February 16, 2024

2 New updates

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.



New formatting sidebar in Google Docs, Slides and Sheets apps on Android Tablets 

This week, we’re further improving the Google Workspace experience on large screen Android devices by adding a new formatting sidebar in Google Docs, Slides and Sheets. In addition to meeting the Google Material Design 3 guidelines, this new sidebar reduces the number of taps needed to navigate to formatting options, enabling you to more easily arrange text, tables, images and more. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for March 6, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. 
New sidebar experience in Google Docs on an Android tablet 
Easily drag and drop an image to replace the background in Google Slides
Hovering over the border of an empty slide before dropping in an image (from your desktop, Content Library or another webpage) will now set the image as the background in Google Slides. Dropping the image anywhere else will simply insert the image onto the slide. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for February 26, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more about changing the theme, background, or layout in Google Slides.

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.

Google Meet “companion mode” is now supported on your mobile device for great hybrid meetings
Beginning this week, you’ll be able to use companion mode with your Android and iOS devices. | Learn more about Google Meet companion mode
Creating more immersive presentations in Google Slides
Starting this week, Speaker spotlight in Slides, an experience that lets presenters insert their video feed directly into their Slides content, is generally available for select Google Workspace editions. With Speaker spotlight, you can deliver your message with greater impact by embedding your camera feed directly into your Slides presentations. This feature helps keep your audience focused on you and can help make your content more compelling. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, and Education Plus customers only. | Learn more about speaker spotlight.
Assign mobile device management admin privileges based on organizational unit
We’re giving admins more granular control over how mobile device management privileges are delegated. Specifically, admins can be assigned privileges for specific organizational units (OUs). | Learn more about mobile device management
Sort, filter and manage comments faster in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides
We’re introducing an improved comments experience in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides to help you find and take action on comments easier than ever before. While you will continue to see and interact with the comments experience you’re familiar with, you’ll also notice updates to our comment cards, icons, and more. | Learn more about comments across Workspace

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

  

Share spaces smart chips in Google Chat

What’s changing

Last year, we expanded smart canvas by introducing smart chips in Google Chat on web. Since then, you’ve been able to share information in a more usable, structured way by accessing and previewing rich, context-setting information and files directly in your message threads. 
Today, we’re announcing the ability to search for and insert a smart chip that links to a space. These new smart chips will make it easier to share and collaborate on content related to specific spaces. 
When composing a message in Chat, typing “@” will now display a list of suggested spaces to include as a smart chip, based on your membership. You can search for a space by typing the space name, and the results will be determined by spaces you’ve accessed most recently. Once a space is selected, you can insert the space smart chip into your message. You can also paste the link (URL) of a space into a message and press the Tab key to convert it into a space smart chip. 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users: In Google Chat on web, you can choose from the following options: Type “@” followed by a space name to search for the space and insert the space smart chip directly into a message. Paste a link to a space (or link to a message within the space) into a message and press the Tab key to instantly convert it into a space smart chip. Mobile users can receive and click on space smart chips, but cannot insert them on the Chat mobile app at this time. You must be a member of a space to search for and share that space smart chip. A recipient of the space smart chip must be a member of the space to access it. If they are not a member, they will not have access.  

Rollout pace 

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 9, 2024Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 26, 2024

Availability 

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Google Meet “companion mode” is now supported on your mobile device for great hybrid meetings

What’s changing 

Companion mode in Google Meet is designed to seamlessly connect those in meeting rooms with their remote teammates, giving everyone access to interactive features and controls, while leveraging the best of in-room audio and video conferencing capabilities. Currently, you can use companion mode from a laptop or desktop device. Beginning today, you’ll be able to use companion mode with your Android and iOS devices. 
Using Companion mode from your mobile device is a quick, light-weight way to participate in meetings without opening a laptop. This can be particularly useful in meeting spaces where room for a laptop is limited, or as an easy, discreet way to participate during large in-person meetings, such as all hands or town halls. 
Specifically, you can use companion mode to:
Check-in to the room to be identified by name.Share an emoji reaction without interrupting the speaker.Raise your hand to indicate that you’d like to speak.Turn on captions to view subtitles as everyone speaks during a meeting.Exchange chat messages with other meeting participants.View and zoom in on presented content to easily follow along with the presenter on your own device.

You can also use the room check-in feature on mobile as well, making it easier for other attendees to see your name alongside the conference room you’re joining from.


Share an emoji reaction without interrupting the speaker.

Raise your hand to indicate that you’d like to speak.

Turn on captions to view subtitles as everyone speaks during a meeting.
Exchange chat messages with other meeting participants.

View and zoom in on presented content to easily follow along with the presenter on your own device

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.End users: This feature will be available by default. You can join a meeting using companion mode from the green room before your meeting. Use this Help Center article and video guide to learn more about using companion mode in Google Meet.Note: Your audio and mic will automatically be muted—we recommend using meeting room hardware for audio and video to avoid feedback. 


Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 12, 2024.Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 27, 2024
Note that the following minimum builds are required:
Minimum Android Build: Meet – 229. (Android Settings > Apps > Meet > [App Info > Version])Gmail – 2024.01.28. (Android Settings > Apps > Gmail > [App Info > Version])

Minimum iOS Build: Meet – 225.0. (Meet App > Settings > About, terms, privacy)Gmail – 6.0.231231. (Gmail App > Settings > About Gmail)

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customersAlso available to Google Workspace Individual customers, as well as users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Creating more immersive presentations in Google Slides

What’s changing

Starting today, Speaker spotlight in Slides, an experience that lets presenters insert their video feed directly into their Slides content, is generally available for select Google Workspace editions. 
With Speaker spotlight, you can deliver your message with greater impact by embedding your camera feed directly into your Slides presentations. This feature helps keep your audience focused on you and can help make your content more compelling. 
Users can insert a variety of Speaker spotlight shapes directly into their slides and then format them to their liking. Once in slideshow mode, your camera feed will appear in that shape so you can deliver a captivating presentation. Speaker spotlight also integrates seamlessly with Meet and Slides Recordings for more engaging virtual or recorded presentations. 

Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why it’s important 

Speaker spotlight helps you better connect with audiences using video during live presentations, which is especially useful when working in a hybrid environment. 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users: To add the spotlight shape into Slides, go to Insert > Speaker spotlight or click the Speaker spotlight button in the toolbar. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using speaker spotlight. 

Rollout pace 

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 15, 2024 Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 6, 2024 

Availability 

Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, and Education Plus 

Resources