Tag Archives: Google Meet Hardware

Preview and test upcoming features on Google Meet hardware devices

What’s changing 

Using the new “Feature preview” setting, specific Google Meet hardware devices can be configured to test upcoming features prior to general availability. This is especially beneficial for testing purposes, gathering user feedback, creating training materials, and raising awareness before the feature is released broadly to your users.

Menu > Devices > Google Meet hardware > Settings > Feature preview


Who’s impacted

Admins and end users 


Why you’d use it

Prior to the launch of the “Feature preview” setting, there was no way for admins to preview upcoming features before they roll out to hardware devices, which can be potentially confusing to end users when they see new features unexpectedly. Now, customers have the opportunity to preview changes in advance, which gives them time to inform and educate their users about upcoming changes, prepare their IT help desks, and more. Overall, this update aims to increase awareness and adoption of helpful meeting features while reducing the risk of end user confusion.


Getting started

  • Admins: The “Feature preview” setting is configured to “General availability” by default. When “Early preview” is selected, devices will receive new features when they are released to the “preview” stage. Visit the Help Center to learn more about trying features early on your devices. We recommend that 10% or less of your fleet adopts “Early preview” to try new experiences in conference rooms before they roll out to General availability.
  • End users: Depending on your organization’s configuration, you may be able to preview new features on select Google Meet hardware devices.
When enabled, the device screen displays a "Preview" banner indicating the device is currently in "Early preview" mode


Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices

Resources




Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – September 13, 2024

3 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.



Co-annotate from select Google Meet hardware devices
We’re expanding annotation capabilities in Meet to include select Google Meet hardware devices. These devices can be appointed co-annotators by presenters and you can use annotation tools such as a pen, sticker and more directly from the touchscreen of the device. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Standard, and Plus; Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus; Frontline Starter and Standard; Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus; Education Standard, Plus, the Teaching & Learning Upgrade; Workspace Individual subscribers. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using annotations in Google Meet.


New advancements in Connected Sheets for Looker 
Last year, we introduced Connected Sheets for all Looker-hosted instances, enabling users to analyze data using pivot tables, charts, formulas, and other integrated data sources. This week, we’re excited to announce the ability to directly link Connected Sheets to existing Looker queries, rather than having to start from scratch in Sheets by connecting to an Explore every time. This highly-requested feature is especially useful for Looks, a special type of query that’s been saved in the Looker UI, and whose definition can be updated over time if needed. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Admins should use the Looker's Admin menu to make sure Connected Sheets for Looker is enabled. End users can visit the Help Center to learn more about using Connected Sheets in your organization.


TeamViewer Add-on for for Google Meet now supports remote desktop 
A TeamViewer add-on for Google Meet is now available in the Google Workspace Marketplace, allowing Meet to tap into a leading remote connectivity platform. You can now rely on Meet + TeamViewer to enable remote support (e.g., IT support desk) that's easy, secure and reliable for your business. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Admins can visit the Help Center to learn more about managing Marketplace apps on your allowlist or installing Marketplace apps in your domain. End users can view the TeamViewer Remote Control listing, learn more about the offering on TeamViewer’s website, and use the Help Center to learn more about using add-ons with Google Meet. 
TeamViewer launched as a featured Meet add-on to enable remote IT support



Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.


Gemini reports now include user-level usage, including app usage insights 
We’re incorporating additional data in Gemini reports to help our customers gain a deeper understanding of Gemini usage and adoption across their organizations. Gemini reports now include user and app level Gemini usage and adoption data based on the last 28 days of usage. | Learn more about Gemini reports. 

Access and sort shared files more easily in Google Chat conversations
The Shared tab is now available in 1:1 direct messages and group messages, enabling easier collaboration across all conversation types. | Learn more about the shared tab in Chat. 

Google Cloud Directory Sync now complies with your conflicting accounts management settings 
When Google Cloud Directory Sync (GCDS) attempts to create new users, it may encounter unmanaged accounts that conflict with the accounts it’s attempting to create. In these instances, GCDS will now comply with the conflicting accounts management settings specified in the Admin console. | Learn more about Google Cloud Directory Sync. 

Google Meet Add-ons SDK is now generally available
The Meet Add-ons SDK is now generally available for the web, which allows developers to iframe their app into Meet, and lets meeting participants interact with the app’s content directly inside the Meet canvas. | Learn more about Meet Add-ons SDK.

Improving the Google Workspace Marketplace app publishing experience with Drafts 
Developers can now make changes to their app listing, save them as a draft, and send the draft version to review. | Learn more about app list drafts. 


For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).  

Google Meet increases ultra-low latency live streaming support to 100,000 viewers in distributed audiences

What’s changing

For select Google Workspace editions*, we’re pleased to announce that the Google Meet ultra-low latency viewing experience for live streamed meetings will now support up to 100,000 viewers. This gives organizations the flexibility to reach a wider audience with improved user experience at lower bandwidth consumption. In order to receive the ultra-low latency experience, no more than 25,000 viewers can be connected to a single regional data center at a time. 


Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why it’s important 

Live streaming is a critical tool for large audiences, such as town-halls or keynote events. Increasing support for the low-latency live streaming experience from 25,000 viewers to 100,000 users helps our customers reach a wider audience, while their users benefit from several functional and quality improvements, such as:

  • A virtually lag-free experience
  • Significantly increased speaker video resolution (up to 720p per speaker)
  • Shared content and presentations shown up to 2880x1800
  • Improved automatic camera cuts that focus on the most relevant speakers & content 
  • Audience interaction through emoji reactions, polls and Q&A, and more.


Additional details

Enterprise Content Delivery Network (eCDN) for Google Meet
If large groups of your audience are connecting from a single network location or a shared gateway, you may benefit from using eCDN for Meet to get full media quality with substantial network bandwidth savings. For more information on eCDN, see this post on the Workspace Updates blog and visit our Help Center.    


Viewers can now join ultra-low latency live streams from Google Meet room hardware
The Google Meet ultra-low latency viewing experience for live streamed meetings is now available also from Google Meet room hardware. Live streaming is a critical tool for large audiences, such as town-halls or keynote events. Support for room hardware means that users can join and watch live streams together in smaller or larger groups. To view a live stream via Google Meet hardware, invite the room to a view-only calendar event granted that your host has allowed guests to modify events. When the event is about to start, the live stream will be visible with its name as an upcoming event in the room agenda. Join the live stream by tapping it on the touch screen.


Meeting hosts and meeting organizers can invite rooms directly in view-only calendar events — visit the Help Center to learn more about live streaming a video meeting. If the calendar event is locked for editing, individual users can also duplicate the event and create their own view-only copy with the rooms they want to add as viewing locations. Visit the Help Center to learn more about viewing a live stream.


Getting started

Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Enterprise Essentials Plus customers*

*Note: The ultra-low latency live streaming experience is rolling out at a slower pace for some customers. Once you receive the experience, you’ll be able to take advantage of these updates.


Resources


Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – August 16, 2024

2 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.


Save files scanned in the Google Drive Android app as a .JPEG 
Currently, users can scan files as PDFs with their Android mobile device using the Google Drive app. This week, we’re excited to announce that users can now choose whether to save scanned files as a PDF or a JPEG. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about scanning files with your mobile device.
file scanned in Drive Android app saved as JPEG
Google Meet on Android is now available for Logitech Rally Bar Huddle 
Google Meet on Android is now officially supported on Logitech’s Rally Bar Huddle appliance for small collaboration rooms and huddle spaces. After initial setup, admins can easily enroll, manage, and monitor these devices using the Google Admin console. Google Meet on Android for Logitech Rally Bar Huddle is supported on CollabOS v1.13. | Visit Logitech’s website for more information on purchasing a room kit.

Google Meet on Android is now available for Logitech Rally Bar Huddle

Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.


Manage all Calendar interop settings from the Admin console 
All Calendar interoperability settings will now be housed in the Admin console at Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Calendar > Calendar Interop management. This will make it easier for admins to view and manage their interop setups. | Learn more about Calendar Interop. 

Google Meet hardware event logs are now available in the security investigation tool and BigQuery 
We’re pleased to announce a new set of features to help you conduct deeper analysis and more flexible issue detection within your Google Meet hardware fleet. | Learn more about event logs for Meet hardware.

Chat safer with new settings for students in Google Chat 
We're introducing a new setting that enables education admins to restrict which users can create and manage members in Google Chat conversations. | Learn more about admin controls for Chat. 

Use intelligent suggestions for table conversion in Google Sheets 
If you have a meaningful range of data, Sheets will show a “Convert to table” suggestion when you click into your data range. By hovering over that indicator, you can preview the suggestion and then convert your range to a table in one click. | Learn more about suggestions for table conversion in Sheets. 

View and structure Google Form data as a table in Google Sheets 
We're introducing a new feature that enables users to more easily view and structure their Google Form data in Sheets. | Learn more about Form data in Sheets. 

Save time managing your Meet Hardware fleet with new device filters 
As we continue to make improvements for managing Meet Hardware fleets, we’re introducing eighteen additional filters in the Admin console. | Learn more about new Hardware device filters.

SOC compliance for Gemini
We’re pleased to announce for Gemini for Workspace licensed users that: 1) Gemini for Google Workspace—including Gemini in the side panel of Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides—is now SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 compliant. 2) Chatting with Gemini at gemini.google.com is now SOC 2 and SOC 3 compliant. We plan to achieve SOC 1 compliance later this year. | Learn more about SOC compliance for Gemini.


Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.



Rapid Release Domains: 
Scheduled Release Domains: 
Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains: 

Paused rollouts

We have paused the rollout for this feature while we evaluate performance and quality. We will provide an update with new rollout information as soon as possible. 

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).  

Save time managing your Meet Hardware fleet with new device filters

What’s changing 

As we continue to make improvements for managing Meet Hardware fleets, we’re pleased to announce eighteen additional filters in the Admin console, which include:

  • Alert silence expiration time
  • Boot mode
  • Camera
  • Chrome version
  • Content camera (i.e., whiteboard cameras)
  • Controller (i.e., MIMO, Logitech Tap, Juno Remote, etc.)
  • Device ID
  • Display
  • Enrollment date
  • Has user
  • Camera home position mode
  • Microphone
  • Noise cancellation (denoising state)
  • Notes
  • Operating system version
  • Primary framing strategy
  • Speaker
  • Software audio processing mode
The new filters can be added as chips to filter the device table:

From Menu > Devices > Google Meet hardware > Devices, select “Add a filter”. Any filters you select will be added to the URL so you can save the link or share it with others.





New data columns have been added that enable you to view additional device info at a glance, which include:
  • Boot mode
  • Camera
  • Camera home position
  • Chrome version
  • Content camera
  • Controller
  • Device ID
  • Display
  • End of Meet support
  • Enrollment date
  • Microphone
  • Noise cancellation
  • Notes
  • Operating system version
  • Primary framing strategy
  • Volume
  • Speaker
From Menu > Devices > Google Meet hardware > Devices, select the gear icon to add columns. Any columns you select will be added to the URL so you can save the link or share it with others.





Increasing the number of searchable fields makes it easier and faster to find specific groups of devices, which is particularly helpful when managing a large fleet of devices. Quickly finding groups of devices allows you to save time and resources managing and troubleshooting your devices. 


Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices

Resources


Google Meet hardware event logs are now available in the security investigation tool and BigQuery

What’s changing 

We’re pleased to announce a new set of features to help you conduct deeper analysis and more flexible issue detection within your Google Meet hardware fleet:
 
First, Meet hardware log events are now captured in the security investigation tool. Within the tool, you’ll be able to view historical events for your devices and create customized alerts. You can also click out to Meet hardware log events from individual device pages (Devices > Google Meet Devices > [Device Name]), allowing you to find information on specific devices even faster.

Meet hardware logs in the security and investigation tool




Secondly, through integration with BigQuery, Meet hardware logs can be imported from the security investigation tool to be analyzed at scale. This is a powerful new tool that can be used to build customized views of your historical data across your entire hardware fleet. For example, you can use this data to identify which devices are the most used across your organization, which devices are experiencing the most issues within a specific timeframe, and more.




Specifically, you’ll be able to filter by the following details: 



Getting started

Rollout pace


Availability

The security investigation tool is available for Google Workspace:
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
  • Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Frontline Standard
  • Cloud Identity Premium
Reporting logs in BigQuery is available for Google Workspace:
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
  • Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Frontline Standard

Clearer re-enrollment for Google Meet hardware devices

What’s changing

We're updating the way Google Meet hardware devices are re-enrolled to provide a more intuitive experience for administrators.


Previously, if a device was re-enrolled without first being deprovisioned, the Admin console would reuse its existing record and device ID — this is changing: 


Starting July 17, 2024, if you re-enroll a device without first deprovisioning it, the Admin console will create a completely new record with a new device ID. The old record will still be there, and you'll need to deprovision it to free up its license. Settings from the old record won't automatically carry over to the new one.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

  • This update impacts all Google Workspace customers with Meet Hardware devices.

Resources


Rollout Update: setting the default camera framing option for Google Meet hardware devices

What’s changing 

We recently announced several updates related to framing options on Google Hardware devices. This included the ability for admins to configure the default camera framing option for their hardware devices. After pausing rollout to optimize performance, we are pleased to announce that this feature is now fully available.


Getting started


Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices

Resources


Rollout Update: framing support for Series One Desk 27 and Board 65 devices and remote controlled devices

What’s changing

We recently announced several updates related to framing options on Google Hardware devices. One of these updates was adding framing support for Series One Desk 27 and Board 65 devices, as well as remote controlled Meet hardware devices. We’d like to provide update rollout information for this feature: 

Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control or action required.
  • End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about using device-based framing.

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices

Resources


Filter, sort, and display your Google Meet hardware devices by product service status

What’s changing 

You can currently filter, sort, and display your Google Meet hardware devices by whether they are online, offline, or experiencing an application load-failure. Today, we’re expanding these parameters to include whether the Calendar and Jamboard services are turned OFF. 


The connection between your Meet hardware devices and these two Google products are critical for connecting and collaborating. Allowing admins to filter for devices that match this criteria will help them identify potential gaps in hardware devices and product configurations, which they can quickly rectify. 


For example, if Calendar is turned off on a Google Meet hardware device, it will no longer show the upcoming meeting list when booked for a meeting. Having the Jamboard* service turned off means that the Desk 27 and Board 65 devices will no longer be able to launch Jamboard directly on the device. These services may have been previously turned off in error, and this new capability allows admins to correct it, making the services available again to their users. Note that Jamboard 55-inch devices are not impacted.

You can filter your devices by going to Menu > Devices > Google Meet hardware > Devices > “Device status” and then select the criteria to filter by.

Getting started


Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices

Resources

*Jamboard will no longer be on these devices starting October 1, 2024. Learn more about whiteboarding in Workspace here.