Recent Announcements and Updates
from Google

February 2024
Google Eliminating Jamboard

Google Jamboard will not be available after December 31, 2024. Google states they are doing this because they've heard from users that other whiteboarding tools such as Fig.Jam, Lucidspark, and Miro help them work better.

• Jamboard will not be available on desktop, iOS, Android, or Google Meet devices.

• Users can export and migrate their data to one of Google's whiteboard partners.

• Google is working with Fig.Jam, Lucidspark, and Miro so users can migrate their existing jams without losing their work. However, not all migrated jams will be "editable" on the partner websites. Check each partner's website for details.

• Users can download Jams they wish to keep before December 31, 2023. Learn how to export your Jam.

January 2024
Google's Privacy Commitment To All Workspace Users

Google has stated that, . . "generative AI does not change Google's foundational privacy protections for giving users choice and control over their data."

• Users' data is their data, and it's never sold; users can delete their content or export it

• Users' data stays in Workspace-  ". . . Google does not use it to train or improve the underlying generative AI and language models that power Bard, Search, and other systems outside Workspace without permission"

• Users' privacy is protected -  "Interactions with intelligent Workspace features, such as accepting or rejecting spelling suggestions, or reporting spam, are anonymized and may be used to improve or develop helpful Workspace features like spam protection, spell check, and autocomplete. This extends to new features . . . "

• Users' content is not used for ads targeting - "Google does not collect, scan, or use content in Workspace services for advertising purposes."

More Information Here

January 30, 2024
Explore Tool Removed From Docs, Sheets, and Slides

• As of January 30, 2024, Google has removed the "Explore Tool" from Docs, Sheet, and Slides.

• The Explore Tool was helpful in finding websites and images related to the topics in the Docs you were working on

• Related images related to the user's topic would be added to the sidebar, and could be added to a Doc with a simple click

• Related websites related to the user's topic would be listed in the sidebar, and users could access those websites without leaving the Doc itself

• And, users could have Google automatically create footnotes in their Docs, for the websites from which they were getting information

December 8, 2023
Google AI NotebookLM Launched

Google has officially launched NotebookLM, which helps users organize their notes by creating summaries of their writing. Some of the features include being able to:

• include up to 20 sources

• pin excerpts from notes to the top

• see the exact source of citations by clicking on the citation number in the text

• define words or phrases from the text

• share notebooks in both viewer and editor modes; collaborate with others

Note: There will be more features added the week of December 11th. For example, there will be a "critique function," in which users can get constructive feedback from AI.

More Information Here

November 28, 2023
"Homepage" Feature Added To Google Drive

Google added another category to Drive. The "Homepage" category has been added. It appears at the top of the sidebar, above, "My Drive."
It makes it easier and faster to find files that you use the most. The "Homepage" category gives users personalized file and folder suggestions based on their uses - what they opened, worked on, edited, shared, etc. Google uses machine learning algorithms to do this. File chips/ buttons at the top allow users to use filters to narrow their searches.

More Information Here

October 2023
New Buttons Added At Top Of Docs To Quickly Add Building Blocks

Google has added three buttons at the top of Google Docs. This allows users to quickly add "Building Blocks" to their Docs for different types of content.
Insert things such as meeting notes, email drafts, tables, chips, etc. Users can also choose the @ symbol button to get a drop down menu to see options such as drafts for a Calendar event, review tracker, date, checkmarks, etc.  Users can also create custom building blocks.

More Information Here

September 2023
Third Party Apps That Only Use Passwords Will No Longer Be Supported

Beginning September 30, 2024, Google Workspace will no longer support third party apps that ONLY use a password to access Google accounts and Google Sync. The sign in method for third party apps or devices that require users to share their Google username and password will be discontinued because it puts users at an additional risk because it requires sharing Google account credentials with third party apps and devices that can make it easier for unauthrorized access. This is part of Google's commitment to user safety.

More Information Here

September 2023
Google To Discontinue Jamboard

In late 2024, Google will discontinue Jamboard, and will integrate whiteboard tools across Google Workspace,
such as: 

• FigJam by Figma

• Lucidspark bt Lucid

• Miro

Google indicates that it is committed to partnering with industry-leading companies to bring the most innovative collaboration experiences to Google Workspace, saying that users prefer the advance features the three selected companies offer. Google will provide a retention and migration path for Janboard data so users won't lose any of the collaborative work they have created within their organizations.

July 2023
New Google Chat Feature - Link Directly To Text

Now, in Google Chat, you can avoid using long URL's that you have to paste into the Chat Window. You can now select text, and create
hyperlinks from that text.  (It works the same way as it does in Google Docs and Slides.). 

• Select the text you wish to make a hyperlink

• Use the text formatting toolbar

• click on the, "Insert link" icon

• Paste or type the URL

• Or, use the keyboard shortcut Command +k (Mac) or Control +k (PC and Chromebooks)

May 19, 2023
Stopwatch Smartchip added to Docs and Sheets

Google keeps adding new smart chips and building blocks. The latest is a stopwatch you can start, stop, and reset as you desire. 

• Type @stopwatch

  • Use it as a timer with students. 

  • Use it as a reminder when you are working

  • Works with Docs and Sheets.

• There are also date smart chips. Type any of the following to get the dates added.

  • @date

  • @tomorrow

  • @yesterday

  • @today

More Information Here

May 11, 2023 - Google Bard Open To 180 Countries
No Longer Need To Sign Up For Wait List

Announced at GoogleIO, in Mountain View, that Google Bard is going global

• Bard is now launched in more than 180 countries; supports 40 languages

• There is no longer a requirement to sign up for a wait list

• Go to:  bard.google.com

• Have to be signed into your Google account

• Also, new updates:

  • image capabilities:

    • Bard will respond with images, in addition to text

    • Users can also include images in their prompts

    • Google Lens will be integrated; Bard can analyze the photo, detect facts about the image, and write drafts

  • coding upgrades:

    • source citations - citations will be more precise, with links to the source

    • dark theme - easier on the eyes

    • export button - developers will be able to export and run code

  • app integration - with other Google services people already use such as Docs, Drive, Gmail, Maps, and more

More Information Here

May 10, 2023
Google Docs - Spam Protection

Docs will now have a dedicated SPAM folder. If a user moves a file to the SPAM Folder, the user will be "unsubscribed," which prevents all comments, sharing, and mobile push notifications for the file. Once "unsubscribed," the user will not be able to find the file anywhere in Drive, except for inside the Spam folder. The user can move the file in/out of the Spam folder, but once the file has been the Spam folder for over 30 days, it will be permanently removed.

Gmail has a similar feature, but Drive did not. This is an enhancement to Google Drive. This feature will be available for Google Workspace accounts and business accounts, as well as for individual users.

May 2023 - Google Bard FAQ's

See a list of FAQ's for BARD. Some of the questions addressed are:

• Does Bard give accurate and safe responses?

• How and when does Bard cite sources in its responses?

• Why doesn't Bard know what I said earlier in a conversation?

• What are Google's principles for AI innovation?

• Who can use Bard?

• What data is collected? How is it used?

• Who has access to my Bard conversations?

• Others . . . 

More Information Here

May 5, 2023 - Google Bard - Workspace Administrators Can Activate For Domains

Google Bard was made available to users with personal Google accounts early in 2023.

• Google Workspace administrators now have the option to turn access to Bard on/off for their domains/schools

• Console administrators can manage access by using the, "Early Access Apps Control."

• The "Early Access Apps Control" feature was introduced recently.

• Google indicates that Bard is separate from the AI powered innovations they are working on for Google Workspace

More Information Here

April 20, 2023 - Co-Present Slides In Google Meet

For Educators With Google Workspace Plus Or Teaching And Learning Upgrade Accounts. It is not available for Workspace Essentials, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, or Frontline. Features:

• Can co-present slides in a Google Meet

• Two or more people can manage slides together

• The primary presenter can assign participant to co-present with him/her

• Can view speaker notes from within Meet

Presenters can do the following, which eliminates the need to asking another person to advance the slide presentation
while the presenter is speaking.:

• see the audience, presentation, and slides controls in one window

• navigate the presentation

• start and stop media within the presentation

More Information Here

March 21, 2023 - Google Bard Released

Google Bard, Google's AI, has been released for public use

• 3/21/23, Google opens access to Bard

• People invited to sign up for a wait list

• Still in experimental stage; answers may not be accurate

• Similar to ChatGPT; powered by a language model

• Bard pulls its information and answers from the WEB

• Go to: bard.google.com

• You'll be asked to sign up for the waitlist

• As you use Bard, you can also click on "Google Search" to cross reference answers

• Bard also gives you a chance to tell if the answers given were "good" or "bad"

• You can also export responses

• And, Bard offers more than one draft of his response; choose the one best for you (or combine answers)

More Information Here

April 2023 - AI With Google Classroom And Practice Sets

Google uses AI with Practice Sets, in Google Classroom

• Helps make assignments interactive

• Gives students more personal support when they get answers wrong

• Gives teachers suggestions as they write questions - recommends skills to focus on

• Gives students helpful hints, based on the skills being identified by their teachers

• Allows teachers to add interactive questions to YouTube videos in Classroom, giving students "real-time" feedback

Also, using Screencast on ChromeOS, both teachers and students can record, trim, transcribe, and share lessons, presentations, or demos.

February 23, 2023 - Stopwatch Feature Added To Docs and Sheets

• Google has added a stopwatch smart chip to Docs and Sheets

• Type "@" and choose "stopwatch"

• Or, under the Insert Menu:  Insert > Smart Chips> Stopwatch

• Click the stopwatch to start/end time

• Reset the stopwatch by hovering over the stopwatch chip and clicking "reset"

• This feature is available for all Google Workspace accounts, legacy G Suite Basic accounts, and business customers of Google

• The feature is also available to users with personal Google accounts.

More Information Here

February 17, 2023 - 360° Video Backgrounds For Google Meet On Mobile Devices

• Google has added 360° video backgrounds

• Uses your device's gyroscope to have the background move with you

• Available on Android and iOS for all Google Workspace users

• Feature is rolling out now and should be active within about 15 days

Note: School admin for Google Workspace can turn the feature on/off for their domains.

More Information Here

February 6, 2023 - Google Introduces Bard (AI Technology)

Google says, they are "working on these technologies as we translate deep research and breakthroughs into products that truly help people."

• Powered by Google's language model for dialogue applications (LaMDA)

• An experimental conversational AI service, Google calls "Bard."

• Bard draws on information on the WEB and provides responses

• Ask Bard questions, and Bard will give you answers

• Google's example on the announcement page asks for new discoveries by the  new James WEBB Telescope that a person could tell their Nine year old about. The results come back in a format a nine year old can understand.

• Will be available for the public in the coming weeks

More information here

February 2023 - Google Meet

Two improvements to Google Meet this month.

• Makes file sharing easier

• Can now share with attendees the content being presented during a Meet

• Can share directly from Meet

• Pasting a link into the chat window of the Meet will give options for sharing, attaching files, and adding to the calendar event

• Meet attendees will receive a notification, in the Chat Window, that you've shared a file, with a link to that file

• This is beneficial because files can be shared from within the Meet setting without having to switch to a different window to allow access. Helps keep the flow of the Meet continuous, without interruptions.

More information here

February 1, 2023 - Google Docs

New feature that allows users to see non-printing characters.

• Helpful to see invisible characters that might be affecting how a Doc looks or prints

• Invisible characters may cause the Doc to have an extra page, but you cannot see the text to remove the characters

• You may end up with an extra blank page, which actually has hidden characters you cannot see; therefore, you cannot seem to delete the extra page

• View > Show non-printing characters

• The feature is still rolling out; you may not see it yet

January 2023 - Google Meet - Emojis For Sharing Reactions

To start a new Google Chat, users first must select, "Start Group Conversation." Then, the user types the names f the people he/she wishes to chat with.

• Can now use emojis to share reactions in Google Meet on Meet hardware devices, and iOS devices

• Android devices will soon also have the ability to do so

• Reactions will show us as a small badge in the sender's tile window in a Meet

• Reactions will also show on the left side of the screen

• To use the feature, click on the smile icon in the control bar

• Meet attendees can use the emojis to send reactions without interrupting the flow of the Meet or the presenter

More Information here

January 11, 2023 - Google Chat - Change

To start a new Google Chat, users first must select, "Start Group Conversation." Then, the user types the names f the people he/she wishes to chat with.

• Process is changing to make it easier to start a one-on-one conversation or a group chat

• Google is removing the "Start Group Conversation command

• Users will be able to start conversations with any number of people by 

• Click, "Chat" in the left sidebar in Gmail

• Click on names of people you wish to invite

• Click, "Start Chat."

More Information here

January 11, 2023 - Google Meet, Room Release Feature 

Booked meeting rooms currently are "released" after all attendees, except one, decline the Meet. Now, the invitation to the Meet will remain "on" by default. Console admins for domains have choice to opt out.

• Transition period 1/11/23 - 3/6/23

• Change also allows for console admin to turn release of rooms on/off for all rooms in a domain; also allows for opt out setting for individual rooms.

• Console admins have the choice to keep their domain's/district's setup they way they originally planned.

More Information here

January 10, 2023 - Google Chrome - Support Ending For Older Windows Operating Systems

As announced in the past, Google is ending Chrome browser support for older operating systems - Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.
Chrome 109 will be the last version released for these older operating systems.

• Google has announced this in the past

• Originally, the support end was scheduled for July 2021, but Google extended the date.

• Chrome 110 requires Windows 10 or later to continue receiving future releases

• Chrome 110 is tentatively scheduled for release on 2/7/23

• Older versions of Chrome will work, but Chrome will not get any updates on the older operating systems

More Information here

December 21, 2022 - Google Meet - More Filter Effects

Google Workspace has a variety of new filter effects for Meet. They can be found in the "Effects Panel," and work on mobile devices also. They can be added before or during Meets.

• Admins in a domain can control whether the effects are on or off.

• The setting is "off," by default for Google Workspace for Education.

• Rollout started on 12/21/22 for rapid release and scheduled release domains

• The effects are also available for personal Google accounts.

November 15, 2022 - Practice Sets - New Feature

For beta users of Practice Sets in Google Workspace, you can now re-arrange problems in a practice set. This affords teachers more flexibility in organizing questions in Google Classroom.

Reminder: Chromebooks Have An Expiration Date For "Updates" To the OS

Google automatically updates the OS on Chromebooks. Updates include security enhancements, bug fixes, and new features.
But, there is an ending date. 

• You can check the date for your specific device.

• Google refers to them as AUE's (Auto Update Expiration)

• Before the AUE date for Chromebooks, Google will automatically update the software

• On and after the AUE date, devices will no longer receive software updates from Google

• Users may see a "Final Software Update Notification" on their Chromebook

• To check the AUE date on your device, go to Settings > About Chrome OS > Additional Details. In the "Update Schedule" you can see when your Chromebook will receive its last update.

Here are some helpful links:

• CNET Guide Google's Chromebook Ending Dates Google's Auto Update Policy Page (AUI)

November 4, 2022 - Previous Deadline Extended To Migrate/Convert "Classic" Google Sites to the "New" Google Sites

Google has once again extended the deadline for migrating "classic" Google Sites to the "new" Google Sites format. The new deadline is now January 30, 2023. This announcement extends the previously announced deadline (which was December 1, 2022).

• done to allow Google Workspace customers more time to migrate Sites pages

• starting January 30, 2023, users will no longer be able to edit any remaining classic Sites pages in their domains; classic Sites will still be viewable

• after January 30, 2023, Google will begin to automatically convert all remaining classic Sites to the new Sites format (drafts) for owners to review and publish 

• after January 30, 2023, Google will export static archives to "Google Takeout," and classic Sites will be deleted after they are converted to the new Sites

• there is a Classic Sites Manager users can use; the manager also allows users to download and archive the classic version

Get more information here

2022 - Custom Emojis Will Be Added To Google Chat

October 2022 - Transcribe Google Meet Videos Into A Google Doc

October 31, 2022 - Google Drive, Improvements In Limiting Access To Files

Now easier to specify when co-editors and collaborators lose access to files shared with them.

• done to allow owners of files to limit/end access by others without the need to go back into the sharing mode

• when granting access, there is a drop down calendar feature

• no need to share the file first and limit access later; can set it up as you share the file

• this feature is on by default and cannot be turned off

Get more information here

May 16, 2022 - Deadline Extended To Migrate/Convert "Classic" Google Sites to the "New" Google Sites

Google has extended the deadline for migrating "classic" Google Sites to the "new" Google Sites format. The new deadline is December 1, 2022. This announcement extends the previously announced deadline. 

• done to allow Google Workspace customers more time to migrate Sites pages

• starting December 1, 2022, users will no longer be able to edit any remaining classic Sites pages in their domains

• starting January 1, 2023, classic Sites pages will no longer be viewable (unless converted to the new Sites format)

• there is a Classic Sites Manager users can use; the manager also allows users to download and archive the classic version; must be used before December 1, 2022

Get more information here

May 6, 2022 - "Screencast" Coming To Google Classroom

This screen recording tool called, "Screencast" is being added directly to the Chrome OS.  It was previously called, the "Projector App." It is a lot like "Screencastify." It will only work with Chrome at the present time. It allows users to record their screens and themselves at the same time, do annotations, and generate a transcript. This promises to be a great teaching tool to use with students, especially when they work asynchronously.

• at present you may have to change the channel of your Chromebook from Stable to a beta channel (the next version that has not been released yet)

• or, wait until the official release

Some other features:

• files are synced to Google Drive automatically

• files can be shared

• the generated videos also have time stamps, allowing users to jump to different sections of the video

• the generated transcript is searchable

• people using the Chrome Browser can view the videos

Get more information here

March 2022 - "Google Practice Sets" Coming To Google Classroom

A new feature/tool is being added to Google Classroom, called "Google Practice Sets."
The goals are:

• to give students individualized help as they are learning

• to assist teachers in getting insights on individual student progress, and on how the entire class is learning

Some key features:

• • • Practice Sets will be part of Google Classroom 

    • Available in Google Workspace For Education - "Teaching and Learning" upgrade and "Workspace Plus" editions only

    • Uses content teachers have and creates interactive assignments automatically, matching the content to learning skills, and making tutorials

Students will:

• • • be able to open Practice Sets directly from within Classroom and work on questions

    • get immediate feedback on their answers

    • get help if they get stuck on answers (Google scans the questions and determines the learning skills being addressed). The help will be in the form of hints and resources, to assist the students as they learn

Teachers:

• • • can create more engaging and interactive assignments

    • use content they already have or create new content

    • provide real time feedback for their students

    • see that each student receives individualized help and feedback

    • get an assessment of each student, and of the class as a whole

Get more information here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-UgPQ6OvAk

February 2022 - Google Drive: Shortcuts Replacing Files and Folders Stored in Multiple Locations

In Google Drive, shortcuts will point to files and folders that are in multiple locations. This is being done to simplify access to files and folders, and to organize them more easily.

Happening in 2022. You'll get a notification in Drive a few weeks before your replacement starts (individual accounts). This will happen automatically. You cannot opt out.

Here's more detailed information:

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/9700156

Learn About Shortcuts:

• • A shortcut is a link that references another file or folder. 

  • You can use shortcuts in your drive or a shared drive.

  • Shortcuts are visible to everyone with access to the folder or drive. 

  • Shortcuts point back to the original file so you always have the latest info. 

  • You can make up to 500 shortcuts per file or folder yourself. Each item can have up to 5,000 total shortcuts made by anyone.

IMPORTANT: Shortcut titles are visible to everyone with access to the folder or drive that the shortcut is inside. Just because someone can see the shortcut doesn’t mean they can open it. The original file’s permissions don’t automatically update when you create a shortcut to it. Remember to give any new users access to the original file.

January 2022: Google Meet - Real Time Translated Captions

Listen to a person speaking in Google Meet and see live captions:

English language Meets can be translated to:

• • French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish

  • Translated captions are available on Web and mobile devices

  • Meet participants can see content in their preferred language

  • Works with Meets in Google Workspace For Education Plus, Google Workspace Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade.

January 2022: Google Slides - Originality Reports Now Available

You can use originality reports with Google Slides files, as well as with Google Docs Files.

Both teachers and students can use to check/compare student work against billions of webpages, books, etc. on the Internet

• • helps ensure academic integrity of the work

  • can be used when submitting or receiving files within Classroom and Assignments

  • instructors can check for plagiarism

  • students can monitor their own work, making sure they have put content into their own words

  • available in Google Workspace For Education users

  • teachers need to "turn on" the reports for individual assignments

  • Google Workspace For Education Fundamental accounts - can turn on up to 5 assignments per class

  • unlimited reports available in Google Workspace For Education Plus or the Teaching and Learning Upgrade

Learn more here:

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/9700156

January 3, 2022: Google Classroom

When students create Docs in Google Classroom, the teacher has access to them immediately. Teachers cannot see individual students' Google Drives. They can, however, see Docs students have created for their classes, if students are part of that Google Classroom.

September 2021: Security Update For Google Drive

Google Drive released a security update that applies to some Drive files. The update makes Drive files more secure by updating their links to include a resource key which may lead to some new file access requests.

To find files in your Drive that may be impacted, on your computer, go to drive.google.com.
At the top, in the search bar, type:    is:security_update_applied
Alternatively, you can also type:        is:security_update_removed

• If you use Drive with a personal Google account, you can make security update changes.

• If you use Drive at work or school, you can only make changes if the administrator allows them.

August 2021: Google Meet - More Secure

Some changes and improvements will be added to Google Meet over the next few months:

Meetings initiated from Google Classroom will be safer and more secure: 

• • Every teacher and co-teacher in a Classroom class will be meeting hosts in Meet by default; multiple teachers can share the load of managing a class.

  • Once a teacher is present, students who are on the Classroom roster will be automatically admitted to the meeting. Students will be placed into a “waiting room” and won't be able to see or communicate with other participants until a teacher is present.

  • Anyone who’s not on the Classroom roster will have to “ask to join” and only the teacher(s) can allow them into the meeting.

All meetings, including those started from Meet or Calendar, will get the following additional security updates: 

• When a host ends breakout rooms, participants will get a warning and then will be forced back into the main meeting.

• Hosts can match the breakout room safety settings with the safety settings from the main meeting.

• To quickly prevent distractions, hosts will be able to turn off everyone’s video at once with “video lock.” 

• For hosts using tablets and mobile phones, additional safety controls are being added, like the ability to end meetings for everyone on the call and mute everyone at once. 

July 23, 2021: Reminder: Block Unwanted Shared Files In Drive

You can now block people from sending you (sharing) unwanted files in Google Drive. Right-click on the file the person shared with you. Choose, "Block." It will block that person from sharing files with you, and you cannot share with them unless you unblock them.

BUT, this does not work in a domain. You cannot block someone in your domain (school or work accounts that use Google Workspace).

To "unblock" a person, do the following:

• Go to drive.google.com

• Click your profile picture > Manage your Google account

• Click "People and Sharing"> Blocked

• You will see a list of account you have blocked across Google products

• Select "remove" next to the person's name you wish to unblock

May 17, 2021: Reminder: Classic Sites Being Phased Out

• In 2017, Google announced that it was phasing out Classic Sites for the new Sites

• Domain have until the end of 2021 to convert Classic Sites to the newer version

• As of May 15, 2021, the Classic Sites website creation tool is no longer available

• Domains and individual users must migrate their classic versions to the newer version

• December 1, 2021, users will no longer be able to edit any remaining classic Sites

• January 1, 2022, when trying to access a classic Site, the content will not be visible

• To save a classic version, download it as an archive using the migration tool Google provides

Feb. 22, 2021: Google Workspace Updates

• the host can end a Meet video call for everyone at once; this includes the breakout rooms

• once the Meet has ended, people will not be able to rejoin, unless the host rejoins first

• Google Workspace for Education Users: if participants' requests to rejoin a Meet are denied twice, they won't be able to request to join the Meet again (but the Meet host can manually invite them back)

• when the host leaves a Meet, he/she can choose to keep others on the call or end the call, which ends it for everyone (helpful for educators working with students)

• the host can also choose to have the Meet continue after he/she leaves

• currently this feature is available with Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals and Google Workspace For Education Plus

Feb. 19, 2021: Google Workspace Updates

• can limit Google Drive sharing to specific groups with target audiences, now generally available; helps make data more secure and easier to share files with the right students/colleagues

• domain administrators can define specific audiences with whom their users can link-share Google Drive files. Learn more.

• can mute all Google Meet participants at once

• Meeting hosts in Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals and Education Plus domains can now mute everyone all at once in Google Meet. 

• available to Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals and Education Plus customers only.  Learn more.

How Can You Tell If Your Chrome Browser Is Up-To-Date?

Fall 2020: Some New Changes/Features For Google Meet:

• larger tile view to see entire class at once

• will be able to see 49 people on one screen, at the same time (in auto and tiled layout options)

• if there are more than 49 participants in the Meet, host will be able to see an indication of the participant's name that is interacting/speaking

• available to all G Suite editions, not just Enterprise Edition

• G Suite users will not need to use an extension to see up to 49 users in tiled view

• meet hosts will also be able to see themselves during the Meet; can add/remove themselves from the grid; can adjust the number of visible tiles with a slider

• enhanced privacy with custom or blurred backgrounds

• personalized backgrounds

• students cannot upload custom backgrounds

• breakout rooms being added; can split large meetings into smaller forums

• hand raising feature added to identify students who may need help; can ask for help without interrupting the meeting

• whiteboard to share ideas in real time; with Jam/Meet integration

• closed captions added

• noise cancellation so background noise does not interfere (for mobile devices)

• teachers can admit "out of domain" viewers

• automatically adjust video in low light conditions (mobile versions only)

• support for Internet Explorer 11

• increased participant limits for all G Suite editions: Enterprise 250, Business 150, Basic 100

• attendance tracking (in development)

• Q & A - set up and participate in a Q & A for a meeting; review the questions and answers after the meeting

Click for a list of upcoming G Suite releases
New Name: Google Workspace

May 23, 2017: Google Jamboard

Don't miss the built in Jamboard Tool (whiteboard) in the Google browser, Chrome.

• use it like a whiteboard, in real time

• write, draw, and highlight important information on the board with a suite of tools

• import images, notes, text from the Web, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and more

• can use for teaching concepts, having students show their work, collaboration, peer work, etc.

• can be used by both teachers and students

• an entire class can collaborate on one jamboard in real time

• share with entire class or a few students

• great for revising, editing, concept mapping, representing things visually

• math students can show their work

• use for warm up activities (or closure activities) for remote learning

• can annotate over images that are imported

• use for digital storytelling, note taking, brainstorming

• choice of backgrounds - graph paper, lined paper, solid colors

• all Jams are stored in your Google Drive

• has full integration with Google Classroom; can make copies for each student

• great for any age level

Earlier Announcements And Features

Smart Reply Inbox for Gmail

May 17, 2017: Now, on iOS and Android, Gmail users can use "Smart Reply," which suggests up to three responses based on emails received. Inbox recognizes emails that need responses and suggests quick responses to those emails. The user can choose to send the response or edit it.

Google Cloud Search Now Available for iOS devices

April 11, 2017: Google's Cloud Search, which was available for Android devices and the WEB in February 2017, is now available for iOS devices. There is an iOS app that can be downloaded from the App Store. Cloud Search allows users to search across all their GSuite applications from their iPhones or iPads.

Google Login Page Has New Look

April 10, 2017: Google has a new look to its login screen. The changed is aimed at making the login interface more consistent across different devices, using Google. Plus, the "Stay signed in" checkbox is being removed, which means users will remain signed in, requiring them to opt out

The "New" Google Earth

April 19, 2017, Google announced a new version of Google Earth that does not require installing an application on your device. It will run in the Chrome Browser, and it also works on Chromebooks you may have already purchased for your school. You cannot build tours yet, as you can with the "classic" Google Earth, but it has some neat new features including:

1. a magazine-like appearance with 20,000 pre-made tours of places around the World, both famous and ones you haven't discovered yet

2. a "Voyager Feature" of interactive guided tours, with brilliant photos

3. Knowledge Cards which give users information about the site they've searched for, along with nearby related placed

4. links to related topics the user has searched for; example: search for a particular volcano, and see a list of other volcanoes around the World

5. a 3D button, which allows you to view places from different angles

6. much more . .

Chrome Device Management For GAFE

Chromebook Inventory: Have you seen Andrew Stillman's Add-On for GAFE domains? For use with Chrome device management console licenses. Super-admins can export and bulk update key metadata and organization units.

                                                          Read More

Migration Of Older Spreadsheets To New Version Of Sheets

January 30, 2015: Google announced that it will formally start migrating older spreadsheets to the new version of Google Sheets. Older versions are spreadsheets created prior to December 2013.No action is needed; upgrade is automatic.

• Release track:

• Rapid release - starting week of Feb 9th.

• Scheduled release - starting approximately Feb 23rd.

Google Sheets - Improvements

January 21, 2015: Google Sheets

Google has announced several improvements to Sheets.

1) can lock down all content except a particular cell or range

2) faster set up; can re-use permissions previously chosen on a different set of cells

3) can lock down a sheet or range to a single person, a small number of people, or a group

Changes In Gmail

February 25, 2014: The Gmail advanced search box now has an option to search emails by size. Click on the down arrow in the search box.

Google Apps - Reminder About Signing Out

February 16, 2014: Reminder, especially for students. The "Stay Signed In" checkbox is selected by default. Users who want to sign out of Google Apps automatically when the browser is closed, must deselect the checkbox. If there is a check in the box, the user will be still signed in for two weeks or until de-selecting the checkbox. Encourage students to look in the top, right corner of the window to see if they are still signed in.

Google "End Of Life Chart" For Chromebooks

February 14, 2014: There is a point at which Chromebooks are considered to be older devices, and no longer receives full support from Google Enterprise team. Updates will no longer be pushed out to the devices.

Google states, ". . . advances in hardware and technology eventually make devices out-of-date, and as time goes by, we can no longer provide updates to leverage new OS features." Updates are not "guaranteed" past their EOL dates. (You might want to read the page).

This can be significant for those of you who have purchased Chromebooks for your schools and manage them through the control panel. Google also states that when a model is considered obsolete, it will no longer receive full support, and you may find that devices cannot be managed via the admin control panel. It also says you may not be able to use new management features released.

Here are some helpful links:

• CNET Guide Google's Chromebook Ending Dates Google's Auto Update Policy Page (AUI)

New Activity Stream in Google DRIVE

January 31, 2014: Google has added an activity stream to DRIVE. Click the, "Details and Activity" button in the top, right corner of the DRIVE Window to show the stream. The stream will show who has taken action on files and folders in MY DRIVE. Users will also see what collaborators are doing such as editing, commenting on notes, adding spreadsheets, renaming files, etc.

Bonus: Select a specific file or folder, and the stream will indicate specific information about that item.

Login Screen For Domains - Change

January 22, 2014: Google announced that it would be changing the login screen for domains last November. Over the next four weeks, starting on January 22nd, domains will be using a new login method. The goal is to have a consistent look as users login to any of the Google Apps services. Example: The sign-in page for Calendar or Drive will look the same as the sign-in page for Gmail or any other Google Apps service. Google says this will improve security and make it easier for users to switch between accounts.

The Google Apps login page can no longer be personalized with colors and custom logos.
Domains will have the same look across all Google login pages
Users will have to login with their full email addresses
For SSO domains with a network mask, users will be presented with the new Google sign-in page when the login from outside the SSO network mask.
This change does not affect domains without a network mask.

View And Save Gmail Attachments Directly In Drive

November 13, 2013: Google is about to roll out a new feature in Gmail. You can view attachments and save files directly to Google Drive without leaving Gmail. Users will see previews of the files at the bottom of emails. A Drive button will appear in the preview. Just click the button, and the file is saved to the user's Drive.

New Version Of The Google Bar

October 30, 2013: Google has a new version of the Google bar for Google Apps users. It is designed to be simpler and more consistent with Android and Chrome OS. It included notifications, a Google+ share box (if Google+ is enabled), and a new App Launcher with links to other Google products. Google services that are not enabled will not be shown in the Google App Launcher. Marketplace apps will be listed under the More section in the App Launcher.

Share Docs, Slides, and Drawings With People Who do Not Have Google Accounts

October 20, 2013: Files can be shared (by Google account users) as "view only" outside domains with those who do not have Google accounts. From within a GAFE account, your users can share Docs, Slides, and Drawings to email addresses not linked to an existing Google account. The files are "view only." If the receiving person wishes to be able to edit the file, he/she must sign in with a Google Account in order to edit or comment.

Note: Google Apps administrators can prevent this by disabling sharing outside the domain to people who are not using a Google account (Admin Console setting).

Google Apps Domains - Google Storage Quota Combined

May 28, 2013: Google has a new storage allowance for Gmail and Drive that is now combined. Before, Gmail had a 25 gig limit and Drive had a 5 gig limit. Instead of being separate, they are now combined with a single 30 gig total that covers: Gmail, Drive, and Google+ photos.

Effects of this change:

• • Each user will have a total of 30 gigs of storage that can be used across Gmail, Drive, and Google+ photos.

  • Users who may have needed extra storage under the old plan, may not need it now. Example: A user may have used up the Gmail limit, but will not need to upgrade to extra storage because he/she can expand within the new 30 gig limit

  • Gmail Inbox is no longer limited to 25 gigs, and users can purchase up to 16TB of email storage licenses

  • Files created in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and photos smaller than 2048px will not count against storage quotas.

Rapid release will roll out to domains on May 28, 2013. Scheduled release will roll out on June 11, 2013.

Google Apps Has New Look For The Administrative Dashboard

May 17, 2013: Google recently announced that it has a new design for the administrative dashboard/console within Google Apps Accounts. The purpose is to make it easier to manage users, services, and devices within your Google Apps domain. Google is phasing in the new dashboard. New Google Apps customers will receive the new interface immediately. Existing Google Apps customers will transition from mid-May onwards. Administrators can still do the same tasks as before, but the console will have a "cleaner" look, will be easier to navigate, and administrators can customize their workflows.

Gmail: Compose And Reply Feature Change

April 16, 2013: Google will add some redesigned features to Gmail. Compose and Reply will be enabled by default. The purpose is to save the user time, allowing them to reference other emails while composing a new email. Users will not have to close the email draft to search other emails or check on whether new emails have arrived. The Compose Window can also be minimized to finish later. The Reply Window has been designed to fit better inline, taking up less vertical height. Users will also notice that when adding recipients to emails, profile pictures of contacts in autocomplete show up, making it easier to find the right person.

Google Keep

March 21, 2013: Google released a new Android app. It allows you to save ideas and organize to do lists as things happen.
Users can create notes, lists, photos, and voice recordings from their phones. Notes can be accessed and edited via browsers
at http://drive.google.com/keep. Users will also be able to do the same from Google Drive

Google Drive - Menu Change

February 6, 2013: Google has changed the way the CREATE Menu looks in DRIVE. The purpose is to allow for easier access to DRIVE apps and third party apps. You will now see FOLDERS at the top of the menu, allowing you to create a new folder, and the name is no longer COLLECTIONS.

Note also that the access to the Template Gallery is no longer in this menu. To access the Template Gallery, use File > New > From Template, from within Docs, Sheets, or Slides. This change affects: Google Apps For Education, Google Apps For Business, and Google Apps For Government.

Recognize Domain Profiles With Google+ Labels

When using Google+ with your organization, users can recognize other users/profiles from your organization by small profile labels that indicate a Google Apps user's domain. This allows users in your organization to distinguish profiles inside your domain from profiles outside your domain. The labels are confidential and will only be seen by other users in your domain. This helps users when they are sharing content and they have more than one profile. The small icon helps the user choose the correct profile when sharing.

Google Docs Export Format Change

January 31, 2013: Google has added the ability to export Google documents to the newer Microsoft Office formats that rely on open standards (.docx, .xlsx., .pptx). Google will be focusing on exporting to these newer open formats rather than the older proprietary Office formats (.doc, .xls, .ppt). The older formats were used in Office 97-2003. This affects Google Apps, Google Apps For Education, Business, and Government. Release Track: scheduled

Google Presentation - Create, View, and Edit Offline

January 31, 2013: Google Presentation has new features. Users can create, view, and edit presentations without an Internet connection, with Google Slides offline.You need to have enabled offline editing of Docs and Sheets. Offline access to presentations is only available in Chrome and on Chrome OS devices.

Google Forms Have New Features And More To Be Added

January 30, 2013, Google Forms have some new features. The interface is different, and one of the cool features is that you can copy and paste a bulleted list directly into the Form. No need to type each line separately. The bulleted lists can be from a document or spreadsheet. You can also collaborate with others in real time.

You can also "send" to a new spreadsheet or add to an existing one right from within the Form. There's a link at the top called, "Choose Response Destination." And, you can export to a CSV file. Google will be adding more features this week too.

Google Drive - New Cloud Storage Product For Mac and PC and Mobile Devices

April 24, 2012 - Google announced "Google Drive," a cloud storage product that allows users to sync files among all of their devices and access them from any of those devices. Users can use "My Drive" to organize all of their files, folders, and Google Docs, and they can share files with others and edit them from any device. To enable the service, "Google Drive" must be installed (found at http://drive.google.com). The installer adds a folder to the computer's desktop. That folder syncs with Google Drive. Users' files can be accessed through WEB browsers, the Google Drive client, and the Google Drive mobile app.

1) Google Drive Installer

2) Google Drive for iPhone and iPad

3) Get more Google Drive Apps For Mobile Devices

4) Android Phones and Tablets

New Dashboard Features: Administrators Can Disable Forwarding Of Gmail

Released on April 18, 2012: By default, Gmail allows users to automatically forward incoming mail to another address. Administrators can now disable forwarding of Gmail. This also prevents users from setting up automatic Gmail forwarding. This is now available in both Google Apps For Education and Google Apps For Business.

Discontinued Support For Mobile Browsers That Do Not Support Cookies

Starting May 1, 2012, Google will no longer support mobile browsers that do not support authentication cookies for signing in to Google services. (This typically only affects older generation mobile browsers.) When users sign in with username and passwords, the mobile browser receives an authentication token, which is stored as a cookie. If your mobile browser does not support cookies, you will only be able to use Google services that do not require user logins such as Search and Maps. If your mobile device is affected, you will see an alert message.

Spam Gmail - See Why Messages Marked As Spam

As of March 20, 2012, Gmail messages marked as Spam will now tell why the message was flagged. Plus, users can learn about potentially harmful content within those messages.

New Look In Calendar Now Default For Domains

February 7, 2012: Google Calendar has a new interface, which is now the default look for all Google Apps domains. This brings Calendar more in line with the other Google tools, in order to give users a more consistent experience as they go from one tool to another.

Some of the new features are:

1) Quick Add - has been moved under the CREATE Button

2) Calendars listed under MY CALENDAR and OTHER CALENDARS no longer have colored backgrounds. The arrows next to the names of the calendars will have colors.

3) The calendars listed in the left sidebar are collapsed (by default). They can be expanded by clicking on the small gray arrows.

4) PRINT and REFRESH buttons are now icons, not links.

5) Release Track: Rapid and Scheduled

Google Docs - Offline Access Now Available

February 1, 2012: any file in Google Docs can now be available to you "offline." This means that whether you're online or not, files are accessible to you. Google Docs automatically updates the files when you are connected to the WEB. You can also manually update them by clicking on "update" in the Offline Section of the app.

Android tablet users have an added feature. When viewing a Doc on the Android, you will see a high resolution version of the document.To change pages, swipe left or right. You can also use the slider at the bottom to navigate through pages quickly.

Google Docs & Spreadsheet - New Look Now Permanent

Google announced on Dec. 16, 2011, that the new interface look for Docs, Spreadsheet, and Sites is now permanent. Prior to this, users had the option of using the "classic" look. GAFE domains may wish to alert their staff and students to the change.

Some of the new features in the new interface include:

1) Some options moved under the FILE MENU such as "publish to a webpage" and "email collaborators."

2) Clicking the SHARE BUTTON now shows the visibility state of a Doc when user does a mouse over of the doc.

3) The SAVE button has been removed in DOCS. Google says it's because Docs automatically saves your work. Users can still revert back to earlier versions of a document by using REVISION HISTORY.

4) The LAST UPDATED TIME is now near the menu bar.

5) There is now a BACK ARROW that allows users to navigate from an open DOC back to the DOCUMENTS LIST. Hover the mouse near the document's title, and a back arrow appears.

Drawing Feature in gmail For iOS devices

December 2011: Google added some updates to the gmail app for iOS devices. One of the newest features is the ability to add line drawings to emails. Gmail now supports line drawings, including colors, line width sizes, spray can, and there's even an eraser.

Some other changes include:

1) Users can now customize signatures when sending email from a mobile device.

2) They can also access and edit vacation responders.

3) There is a new notification sound for incoming mail in iOS 5 to more easily recognize incoming mail.

4) Labels have been improved, including support for nested labels.

Education and Business Domains Can Have Scheduled Release Tracks

December 1, 2011: Google Apps For Education and Google Apps For Business can choose to release new features for their users in one of two ways:

1) Rapid Release - New features are available to users within your domain as soon as Google releases them.

2) Scheduled Release - New features are available one to two weeks after Google releases them, which allows schools to learn about the new features,
    train staff, and introduce them.

Where can you find this? In Dashboard, go to "Domain Settings," and look for "Choose how to release new features."
See illustrations below.

• Domain Settings

• Choose Which Release Model You Prefer

Google Maps - Fly Over Your Route in 3D

October 4, 2011: Google Maps has a new feature as of October 2011. You can now "fly over" your route and see landmarks, roads, topography, and more. You get an aerial view of the route, along with 3D features. This will work with driving, transit, walking, and biking routes you plot. Click the "3D Button" under "Get Directions." You can even pause the fly over and zoom in to get a better look. When done, click the play button to continue.

Note: You will need to have the Google Earth plugin installed in your browser. Posted 10/4/11

Google "SITE Operator"

July 13, 2011: You can tell Google to search a specific website by using "SITE OPERATOR." This tells Google not to harvest the information from other sites by limiting the search to the site you specify. Just type your search term and the SITE Operator into the search box.

Here are a few examples:

1) Paul Revere site:notablebiographies.com

2) MLA site:citationmachine.net

3) 1099 Form site:irs.gov

4) Saturn planet site:nasa.gov

Google Docs - Preview Tip

May 30, 2011: You can get a "Print Preview" in Docs to see how your document will look if you choose to print it.
You can also see how many pages your document is.
Choose: File --> Print Preview

Google Search Tip – Search For Websites More Appropriate For Your Students’ Reading Levels

May 22, 2011: Want to find webpages appropriate for the reading level of your students? Google has added a feature to Google Search. You can have webpages labeled as, “Basic,” “Intermediate,” or “Advanced.” Click on “Advanced Search,” and use the drop down menu next to “Reading Level.” And, you can teach your students to use the same feature as they search the WEB for information - helps them find more appropriate reading levels.

Note: You can always “undo” this choice.

Gmail Tip - "Mute"

May 22, 2011: You can “ignore” certain emails if your InBox is getting too much mail. Under “More Actions,” choose, “Mute,” and new messages will bypass your InBox. You won’t lose the messages. They will be archived. This feature can be helpful when you are getting several emails on a thread.

Google DOCS Tip

May 22, 2011: Did you know you can upload folders as well as files in Google DOCS? Plus, there are many files types Google accepts. And, now you can drag and drop files from your desktop to the DOCS window. You have three choices for uploading files to DOCS:

1) Click the upload button and choose “Files”

2) Click the upload button and choose “Basic”

3) Drag and drop directly from your desktop

http://www.carollarow.org  (shortened URL)

https://sites.google.com/view/carollarow/home

Taken From Google Sites Help Carol LaRow