As always, Google Workspace is an evolving solution, staying at the cutting edge of workplace collaboration technology. Keep reading to learn about recent developments to the user experience in Gmail, Meet, Calendar, Docs, and the Admin console.
“UserInvitation” API functionality for conflict account migration
Conflict accounts are personal Google accounts created using the email address of a Google Workspace account. These are unmanaged by the organization and can be problematic, as it causes issues for Admins trying to keep work data secure. It is something that our Google Workspace Migration team takes into account as part of all migration projects.
Now, Admins can use the new UserInvitation API functionality to request that a personal account be converted to a Google Workspace account. This is a convenient alternative to the Transfer Tool, which allows for manual conversion.
Identify and remediate Conflict Accounts programmatically by following these instructions. This API is available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus customers.
New integrated email marketing tools for Gmail
Users of select Google Workspace editions can now make use of Google’s new email marketing tools for Gmail!
Layouts: Use pre-made templates complete with images, text elements, and buttons. Customize it as desired to create a professional, eye-catching design.
Multi-send: No need to BCC all your marketing contacts! When you use multi-send, each of your recipients will be sent a separate email, complete with a unique unsubscribe link.
Rollout for this feature has completed. Gmail marketing tools are available to all Google Workspace users excluding those using Essentials, Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Frontline, and Education editions. Users can find these functions in the bottom right corner of their email drafts.
Client-side encryption for Google Meet
In order to make Google Meet an even more secure video conferencing platform, Google has released client-side meeting encryption. Client-side encryption gives users direct control of their encryption keys, as well as the identity service that they choose to authenticate for those keys. This also guarantees that Google cannot access audio and video data under any circumstances, helping users meet regulatory compliance requirements in many regions.
This feature is available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus customers.
To start using client-side encryption for Meet, an Admin must configure how Meet connects to a key service and identity provider. See this article for more information.
Specify how you’ll be joining a meeting in Calendar
To provide more context to your fellow meeting attendees, you can now specify whether you will be joining a meeting remotely or in person in Calendar. This information will be visible to all other attendees using Google Workspace.
To do so, simply click the dropdown menu next to the “Yes” RSVP option as shown below:
Rollout for this feature has completed for all paid Google Workspace/G Suite editions.
Mute/unmute your headset from the Google Meet interface
All Google Workspace/G Suite users can soon toggle their USB device settings from the web interface while using Meet! Mute and unmute your headsets, speaker microphones, and other USB peripheral devices in your next Meet call by doing the following:
In the pre-call green room, navigate to Audio > Call Control > Connect device. You’ll be prompted to connect your USB peripheral.
This setting can also be accessed during a Meet call by clicking More options (three-dot icon) > Audio > Call Control > Connect device.
Rollout for this feature began in late August and will conclude in mid-September 2022. This feature will be available to all Google Workspace and G Suite users on the Chrome browser.
Customize Admin access to DLP alerts
Google has announced a new feature which allows Superadmins to specify DLP (Data Loss Prevention) alert visibility privileges for Gmail. This is intended to provide more control over alert visibility in the Admin console, allowing for the creation of more granular roles.
This feature is available for all Google Workspace editions which include DLP policies. Superadmins can follow these instructions to grant access to DLP alerts for other Admins.
Adjust accessibility preferences in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings
Users of accessibility devices such as screen readers, braille devices, and screen magnifiers can now enjoy more control over their settings. Namely, users can specify device settings for individual Google Workspace applications.
To adjust these settings, open a document, spreadsheet, slide deck, or drawing, navigate to Tools > Accessibility, and select your preferred settings.
Users can find more information about accessibility settings in the Help Center.
Assign Tasks from Google Docs
Google previously announced checklists for Google Docs. Now, users can easily assign checklist items to other users as Google Tasks. To do so:
- Create a checklist within your Google Doc
- Type a task
- Hover over the task and click the icon that appears to the left
- Type an assignee
- Click “Assign as task”
This feature will be available to users of all paid Google Workspace/G Suite editions when rollout completes in mid-September 2022.
Questions?
Have questions about these updates? We are a certified Google Cloud Premier Partner providing licenses, services, and support for Google Workspace, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and more. We’d be happy to help.
Reach out to our team using the form below to get in touch.
