What's new in Google Workspace? - February
As every month Google surprises us with new updates that make our life easier 🙂
February saw the release of key updates for team productivity and collaboration. Google continued to improve Spreadsheets, Google Meet and Calendar functionality, shared drives and more.
Do you want to know what the new features are?
Google Meet and Zoom team up for you
Launched videoconferencing device interoperability for Google Meet with Zoom.Â
What does this mean? You will now be able to join Zoom Meetings from Google Meet hardware devices or join Google Meet meetings from Zoom Rooms. Unexpected!
Clarification: Zoom interoperability supports core video conferencing features. It does not support advanced features such as polling. Therefore, some features may not be available when using Meet hardware to join Zoom Meetings and vice versa.
Fact: there is no additional cost. In addition, scheduled joining and joining via meeting code will be possible.
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How to configure it?
Administrators:Â
- Zoom interoperability on Google Meet hardware will be available on devices by default and can be disabled in the Workspace Admin Console at the organizational unit level under Devices > Google Meet Hardware > Settings > Device Settings > Device Settings > Built-in Interoperability.
- To set up automatic login for Zoom meetings from Meet hardware, generate a token in Zoom Admin under Account Management > Account Settings > Meeting > Allow my organization's third-party conference room systems to join my Zoom meetings as an authorized user and paste it. the Google Workspace administrator under Devices > Google Meet Hardware > Settings > Service Settings > Integrated Interoperability Shortcut.
End users:
- When enabled by your administrator, you can join a Zoom meeting from a Google Meet hardware device.
Availability
- Available for all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers with Google Meet hardware.Â
- Meet interoperability in Zoom Rooms is available to all Zoom Rooms clients on a compatible Zoom Rooms device or device. Please note that your device may not fully support the feature until the manufacturer has pushed the latest Zoom Rooms software update to your devices.
- Check Zoom's support page for the latest list of supported devices and platforms.
Google Calendar appointment with multiple calendars
Is this for real? Yes, from now on you will be able to schedule an appointment by checking several calendars at the same time.Â
How does it work? In addition to your main calendar, you can check the availability of all your calendars added to Google Calendar on the web, such as calendars you own, calendars for which you have editing and management rights, and subscribed calendars. Your booking page will show you as "unavailable" when they are busy according to the calendars you choose.
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AvailabilityÂ
- Available for Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Non-Profit customers.
- Not available for Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Frontline, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business clients.
- Not available for users with personal Google accounts.
Shared file access from Meet
Starting this month, you will be able to share access to the content you are presenting directly from Meet.Â
How? During the presentation, you can share the file from the floating action menu or via the suggestion in Meet Chat.
When the file is shared, attendees will receive a notification and the link will be shared in the meeting chat.
This way, you will be able to share presented content without having to switch to another window to grant access. In addition, when you paste a link into the meeting chat a box will appear giving you the option to share access to the file:
Now meeting attendees will be able to follow your presentation, search and reference your material, and continue working on the action items of the meeting.
Availability
- Available for all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers.
- Available for users with personal Google accounts.
Looker Modeled Data in Connected Sheets
Google is adding the ability to interactively explore modeled data from Looker, Google Cloud's business intelligence platform, from connected Sheets . This provides connectivity between the familiar Google Sheets interface and the data sources available within Looker.
This way, you can analyze data with pivot tables, graphs, formulas and other integrated data sources. In addition, with this live connection, access is assured and your data will be kept up to date.Â
 AvailabilityÂ
- Available for Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, Teaching and Learning Update, Frontline and non-profit organizations.Â
- Not available for legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers.Â
- Available for users with personal Google accounts.
Do you want to know more about these updates? Do you have any questions or doubts? Our team of consultants specialized in Google Workspace can help you, contact us!
