Google Workspace Changes

Google for Education transformation reports window is now open with improved access and real-time customization.

Google for Education transformation reports are now available for K-12 Google Workspace for Education customers worldwide. The current reporting window is open from November 2, 2021, to December 10, 2021. Key improvements include immediate access for super admins upon login without a waiting period, the removal of the requirement to request a report in advance, and the ability to adjust product data windows and expected user counts in real time.

Google Drive user blocking now extends to comments and mentions.

Google is enhancing the user blocking feature in Google Drive to prevent notifications when there is an @-mention between a user and a blocked user in comments or action items across Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. This restriction applies to both email and in-app notifications, making the blocking feature more comprehensive and predictable.

Request and review formal document approvals in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Google is rolling out a feature that allows users to request and review formal approvals on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Approvers can approve, reject, add comments, or edit documents within the secure Google Workspace environment. To maintain document integrity, files are locked once all reviewers have provided their approval. If any edits are made during the approval process, all reviewers are notified and must re-approve the latest version of the file.

Fortanix and Stormshield added as Key access service partners for Client-side encryption

Google has added Fortanix and Stormshield as new Key access service partners. These partners provide tools that integrate with Google's key access service APIs, offering customers dedicated key management and access control capabilities for their encrypted Google Workspace data.

Key access service APIs for Client-side encryption are now publicly available

Google has publicly released the key access service API specifications. This allows developers and organizations to build or integrate their own in-house key services to manage encryption keys and access control for Client-side encryption within Google Workspace.

Google Workspace Client-side encryption beta expanded to include Google Meet and Google Drive for desktop

Google is expanding the beta for Client-side encryption (CSE) to include Google Meet and Google Drive for desktop. This allows eligible customers to have direct control over encryption keys and the identity provider used to access them, enhancing data confidentiality and helping organizations meet strict data sovereignty and compliance requirements such as ITAR and CJIS.

Google Drive introduces search chips in beta to help users refine search results.

Google Drive is launching a beta feature called search chips, which allows users to narrow down their search results more effectively. Users can filter results based on file type (e.g., Google Doc, PDF, or image), people, location (such as a shared drive or specific folder), last modified date, file titles, and shared drive labels, mirroring functionality already available in Gmail.

New search and automated entry function for citations in Google Docs.

Google Docs has introduced a new feature that allows users to search for books and online sources to automatically populate citation attributes. This automation is designed to speed up the source creation process, ensure correct formatting, and reduce manual errors when managing citations within documents.

New navigation menus in Google Sites

Site editors can now organize page and external links under new navigation menus by selecting 'New Menu', providing greater flexibility in structuring the navigation within their sites.

Google Sheets is updating its menus to improve the findability of key features.

Google Sheets is updating its menu bar and right-click menus to make commonly-used features easier to locate. The update includes shortening menus to prevent them from being hidden off-screen, reorganizing features into more intuitive locations (such as adding freeze row/column to the right-click menu), shortening item descriptions for faster recognition, and adding icons. These changes affect all menus, including File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Data, Tools, Extensions, Help, and Accessibility.

Admins can now upload, manage, and distribute private iOS applications to advanced managed devices.

Google Endpoint Management now allows administrators to upload and distribute private, internally developed iOS applications to advanced managed devices via the Admin console. This feature enables the secure distribution of in-house apps for productivity or company-specific information, and ensures that apps are automatically updated on users' devices whenever a new version is uploaded by the admin.

Drive for desktop support for Apple silicon (M1) devices is now generally available.

Google has announced the general availability of Drive for desktop support for Apple Silicon (M1) devices. Following a beta period and subsequent functionality improvements, the feature is now available to all Google Workspace customers, G Suite Basic and Business customers, and users with personal Google accounts.

Google Meet hosts can now lock participants' audio and video feeds.

Meeting hosts in Google Meet can now use Audio and Video Lock to turn off the microphones and/or cameras of other participants in both main and breakout rooms, preventing them from turning them back on until the host unlocks them. This feature provides hosts with more control to manage disruptive participants and decide levels of participation.

Introduction of Focus time entry type in Google Calendar to block out time for individual work.

Google Calendar is introducing a new 'Focus time' entry type that allows users to block out and protect time for heads-down individual work. This feature features a distinct appearance with a headphones icon and provides the option to automatically decline conflicting events. Additionally, scheduled focus time is tracked in Time Insights, helping users manage their core work more effectively.

Classic Google Sites editing and viewing will be disabled starting December 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022, respectively.

Google is replacing classic Google Sites with new Google Sites. Starting December 1, 2021, users will no longer be able to edit classic Google Sites. Beginning January 1, 2022, classic Sites will no longer be viewable unless they are converted to new Google Sites; any remaining classic Sites will be automatically archived to the owner's Google Drive or replaced with a draft in new Google Sites. Users are encouraged to migrate their sites by December 31, 2021.