Google Workspace Changes

Beta program for Google Assistant on Asus Hangouts Meet Hardware Kit

Google is launching a beta program that allows users to control the Asus Hangouts Meet Hardware Kit using Google Assistant. This integration enables voice commands to join or exit meetings, call phone numbers, and turn on spoken feedback, aiming to create a more seamless meeting experience and increase accessibility.

Combining the Admin console settings for Hangouts Chat and classic Hangouts.

Combining the Admin console settings for Hangouts Chat and classic Hangouts to make it easier to manage policies and make sure they’re configured appropriately. The new settings will be located at Admin console > Apps > G Suite > Hangouts Chat.

Live captions are now available in the Google Meet iOS app.

Google has expanded live captions support for Hangouts Meet to the iOS app. Captions are currently available in English and must be enabled individually on each device to be visible. Please note that captions will not appear in meeting recordings.

Increased participant limits for Hangouts Meet meetings across G Suite editions.

Google has increased the maximum participant limits for Hangouts Meet meetings. G Suite Enterprise users can now host up to 250 participants, G Suite Business users up to 150, and G Suite Basic users up to 100. These limits apply to a combination of video and dial-in participants.

Material Design update for Hangouts Meet on the web.

Google Meet is receiving a visual refresh on the web to implement Material Design. While functionality remains unchanged, users will see visual improvements including updated, highly-legible custom Google fonts, consistent controls for buttons, dialogs, and sidebars, and updated iconography and colors for better legibility.

International dial-in phone numbers for Hangouts Meet are now available for G Suite Business, Basic, and Enterprise for Education.

Google is extending the functionality of international Hangouts Meet dial-in phone numbers to new meetings organized by G Suite Business, G Suite Enterprise for Education, and G Suite Basic domains. This feature is fully available for both Rapid and Scheduled release domains, although Cyprus (CY) and Turkey (TR) are not supported for G Suite Business and G Suite Basic.

Postponing the final transition date from classic Hangouts to Hangouts Chat to no sooner than June 2020.

Officially postponing the final transition date (i.e. phase 4 in this timeline) to no sooner than June 2020. In the interim, Google will continue to improve the transition experience of classic Hangouts group conversations, as well as add new Chat features like Read receipts.

Hangouts Meet is launching adaptive layouts that automatically adjust to give you the best view of the people and presentations in your meeting

Hangouts Meet is launching adaptive layouts that automatically adjust to give you the best view of the people and presentations in your meeting: Spotlight, Tiled, Side by side, Sidebar. In addition to seeing these layouts automatically used depending on the meeting needs, users can select a preferred layout from the Change layout dialog.

Moving notification settings for classic Hangouts conversations to notification channels on O+ Android devices.

Moving notification settings for classic Hangouts conversations to notification channels on O+ Android devices. With these changes, customized ring tones and chat messaging tones per conversation/contact will be removed and defaulted to the general app settings.

Announcing upcoming Hangouts service consolidation for all G Suite customers.

Announcing that later this year, classic Hangouts users on G Suite domains will transition to Chat and Meet. As a first step, some changes are coming on April 16, 2019.

Google expands the Hangouts Meet ecosystem with Pexip interoperability and a new peripheral qualification program.

Google has partnered with Pexip to enable seamless interoperability between Hangouts Meet and other video conferencing systems, including Skype for Business, Polycom, and Cisco. Additionally, Google introduced a peripheral qualification program to certify cameras, audio devices, and cables for use with Hangouts Meet hardware. This program includes the certification of the Logitech MeetUp camera and speakerphone, as well as USB 3.0 extenders and hubs from Lindy and Newnex, ensuring quality and reliability through automatic over-the-air firmware updates.

Hangouts Meet becomes compatible with traditional video conferencing systems and Skype for Business.

Google is making Hangouts Meet compatible with traditional video conferencing hardware from providers like Polycom and Cisco through a partnership with Pexip. Additionally, users of Microsoft Skype for Business will be able to join Hangouts Meet meetings directly from their Skype application.

Hangouts Meet is now compatible with Firefox version 60 and above.

To ensure a seamless transition to Meet, Google has added compatibility with Firefox starting on version 60. Meet utilizes native WebRTC protocols, which removes the requirement for any downloads or plugins when using the service in the Firefox browser.

G Suite domains are migrating from classic Hangouts to Hangouts Meet for new Calendar events.

Starting May 29, 2018, Google is enabling Hangouts Meet for all G Suite domains that are automatically upgrading on Google's recommended schedule. Consequently, all newly created Google Calendar events will contain Meet video meeting details, while previously created meetings will remain unaffected. Admins can revert to classic Hangouts for new meetings via the Admin console if desired.

Migrating all G Suite domains from classic Hangouts to Hangouts Meet.

Starting May 29th, Google will enable Hangouts Meet for all G Suite domains that are automatically upgrading on Google’s recommended schedule. This means that all newly created Google Calendar events will contain Meet video meeting details.