Top Google Workspace Features Launched in Q1

Google Workspace provides top-notch digital collaboration and productivity tools that are ever-changing. With the first quarter of 2024 already done and dusted, Google has continued to demonstrate their commitment to empowering teams with enhanced features and functionalities. 

Here at Wursta, we thrive on spreading the knowledge and power of using technology to boost innovation and improve collaboration. Before we wrap up the first quarter of the year, let’s run through the top innovative features launched to Google Workspace in Q1.

January

1:1 internal Meet Calls on Mobile

Place a Google Meet call directly to another person within your domain from the Meet mobile app. No need to create a Meet link beforehand, simply make a 1:1 video call to ring someone’s mobile device. Learn more here.

Stars in Chat

Use the Starred section in Google Chat on the web to access high priority messages that you’ve marked with a star. Hover over messages in rooms with in-line threads to find the star option (under three dots icon). Learn more here.

Share button dropdown

A new dropdown option on the Share button in Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drawings makes it quicker and easier to copy the link to the file you are viewing in just two clicks. Learn more here.

Home section in Drive

There is a new place to call “Home” in Google Drive where you can find suggested files and folders and use filter buttons to narrow down your search results quickly and efficiently. Learn more here.

Multiple video effects in Meet

Use a mixture of video effects in Google Meet to layer backgrounds with filter effects. Learn more here.

Easy unsubscribe in Gmail

When viewing your list of emails on the web, an unsubscribe button appears for you to unsubscribe from mailing lists with ease. Learn more here.

February 

Pin chats in Meet

Pin messages in the Google Meet chat pane to ensure latecomers still have access to the previously chatted content. This makes it easier for presenters or hosts to make certain messages of higher importance than others. Learn more here.

New name for Auto-Update Expiration

Google Meet hardware devices’ “Auto-Update Expiration” (AUE) is now replaced with “End of Meet Support Date.” In the Admin Console, “End of Life” (EOL) will instead be “End of Meet Support.” Learn more here.

Pin tiles on behalf of participants

Meet hosts can pin up to three tiles to help keep all Meet participants focused on specific screens or people. Learn more here.

Improvements to Appointment Schedules

New features for Calendar appointment scheduling include the ability to add co-hosts, creating appointments for secondary calendars, delegate access and an on/off function for conflict detection. Learn more here.

Comments management options

There are more options for viewing comments in Docs, Sheet and Slides, including the option to show all comments, expand comments, minimize comments and hide comments. Learn more here.

1:1 Meet Calls on Mobile

Place a Google Meet call directly to someone outside your organization from the Meet mobile app. No need to create a Meet link beforehand, simply make a 1:1 video call to ring their mobile device. Learn more here.

Avatars on threads

When viewing threads in Chat, easily see who is part of the conversation with participants’ avatars shown below the first chat message. Learn more here.

March

Speaker spotlight 

Presenters can add their video feed throughout their slides to deliver more immersive presentations in Slides. Learn more here. 

Shared drive limit banners

A banner will show at the top of a shared drive for those approaching the 400,000 item limit. Banners will appear to those with edit or above access permissions when less than 20% capacity is available. Learn more here. 

Annotate Docs on Android

Android users can mark up a document using their finger or a stylus on Android devices. Learn more here.

Prebuilt dropdowns in Sheets

Easily select a predefined dropdown for project status, review status, priority and more after typing an @ sign in a cell within your spreadsheet. Learn more here.

Appointment slots sunset

The new and improved Appointment Schedules feature in Calendar will officially replace the legacy Appointment Slots feature in July 2024. Currently, users can still use the legacy appointment slots feature which is no longer available starting July 18, 2024. Learn more here.

Voice messages in Chat

Record and send audio messages via Chat, which is especially useful when you’re on the go. Rolling out starting March 25. 

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Now that these hidden gems have been unleashed, there are plenty of opportunities to collaborate with ease and communicate more effectively using Google Workspace! If you have questions about how to get started with the new features launched in the first quarter of 2024, connect with us. 

At Wursta, we know new technology features improve efficiency for users but also necessitate training and communications. We help organizations take full advantage of Google’s ever-evolving productivity tools, eliminate the frustrations from learning new tools and empower people to become power users through effective change management practices. 

See you next quarter!