Tag Archives: Google Tasks

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – November 22, 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.


Find files more easily with the Drive Android file picker
In 2023, we introduced a streamlined file organization with the new Google Drive location picker on web. Now, we’re rolling out similar improvements to the Drive app on Android devices. This update will make it easier to find recently viewed Drive items and clearly see what other storage locations besides "My Drive" are available to you, such as items you have access to within shared drives. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for December 2, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about how to use Google Drive. 
Drive files on Android

View tasks lists on the Google Calendar Android app 
Last year, we introduced full screen tasks lists for Google Calendar on web, enabling users to see all their tasks and task lists in a single full screen view. This week, we’re excited to announce that this same functionality is now available on Android devices. This update makes it easier for users to stay on top of and organize their tasks, especially while on-the-go. | Rolling out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains now. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about Google Tasks.
tasks lists on the Google Calendar Android app


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.


Easily respond to comments and access requests without leaving Google Chat with the auto-installed Google Drive Chat app 
Starting this week, the previously introduced Google Drive Chat app will be automatically installed and send you notifications about recent activity in Google Drive documents, such as new comments and share requests. | Learn more about the auto-installed Google Drive Chat app.

Table reference improvements in Google Sheets
This week, we introduced updates to table references that enhance discoverability and usability. | Learn more about table references in Sheets.

Educators can now request access to third-party apps for their students 
We’ve introduced a new workflow that allows educators to request access to unconfigured third-party apps on behalf of their students. | Learn more about requesting access to third-party apps for students.

Automatic framing is now available to everyone in Google Meet video calls, plus an improved experience when using virtual backgrounds 
We’re expanding automatic framing to all users, as well as introducing an improved experience while using a virtual background. | Learn more about automatic framing in Meet.

Add multiple multimedia files to a single message in Google Chat 
Users can now upload and send up to 20 multimedia files (photos and videos) in one Chat message. | Learn more about sending multimedia files in Chat.

More ways to get started quickly with building blocks in Google Docs 
This week, we introduced a new collection of building blocks designed to help you manage important business workflows in Docs, including team task management, project tracking, hiring, and more. | Learn more about new building blocks in Google Docs.

New file picker method for pre-selecting Google Drive files coming soon 
Today, Google Drive developers rely on the drive.file scope and the Google Picker API to optimize user experience and safety when creating their applications. To make it faster and easier for users to provide applications access to specific Drive files, the Google Picker API will introduce a new method to the Class view called setFileIds(fileIds) in January 2025. | Learn more about the new file picker method for pre-selecting Google Drive files.

Easily find and navigate your Google Chat conversations by organizing them into custom sections
As we continue to enhance the user experience in Google Chat over the last year, we’re excited to announce that users can now organize Chat conversations into custom sections. | Learn more about custom sections in Chat.

New Asus hardware kits for Google Meet
Asus is launching new hardware room kits certified for Google Meet that now offer daisy chain capabilities. Developed with AVer, this refreshed room kit portfolio will work in video conferencing rooms and spaces of just about any size. | Learn more about Asus hardware kits for Google Meet.



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: 


    Expanding Google Workspace extensions available in open beta for the Gemini app

    What’s changing

    Earlier this year, we launched Google Workspace extensions for Gmail, Google Drive and Google Docs in open beta for the Gemini app. Beginning today, we’re pleased to announce that Google Calendar, Google Keep and Google Tasks are also available as Workspace extensions in the Gemini app.

    Who’s impacted

    Admins and end users

    Why you’d use it

    Extensions allow the Gemini app to interact with other Google apps and services, helping to provide more contextual and relevant responses to your prompts and take certain actions across apps. For example, you can use extensions to:

    Calendar
    • Create an event in Google Calendar based on specific details or based on your conversation with the Gemini app
    • Find events for a specific day, date range, or based on event details
    • Edit or cancel events in Calendar

    Tasks
    • Add reminders and tasks, including those based on your conversation with the Gemini app
    • View a list of your tasks and update your tasks

    Keep
    • Create notes and lists, including those based on your conversation with the Gemini app
    • Add an item to your existing list
    • Find content from your notes and lists
    • Reference your notes and lists in your conversation with the Gemini app

    Additional details

    • If your prompt includes multiple actions that require separate apps or services, but one or more of the required services are not enabled, neither of the actions will be completed. For example, if you prompt Gemini to create an event on your calendar and a reminder for that event but the Tasks extension is not enabled, the event will not be added to your calendar and you will not get a reminder.
    • As a reminder, during the open beta period, Context-Aware Access (CAA) for Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar, Keep and Tasks isn’t supported with Google Workspace extensions. Context-Aware Access gives you control over which apps a user can access based on their context, such as whether their device complies with your IT policy. Learn more about Context-Aware Access.
    • Google Workspace extensions is not available to Google Workspace users accessing Gemini as an additional Google service.
    • Note that Google Workspace personal content the Gemini app gets from extensions is not reviewed by anyone to improve AI models, not used to train AI models, and not shared with other users or institutions.

    Getting started

    • Admins: 
      • Google Workspace extensions in Gemini are OFF by default and can be enabled at the OU or Group level.
        • If Google Workspace extensions are already enabled, then the Workspace extensions for Calendar, Keep and Tasks will show up automatically for your users.
      • Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Google Workspace extensions on or off for your organization. 

    • End users: If enabled by your admin, connecting Google Workspace allows users to summarize, get quick answers, and find information from Calendar, Keep and Tasks in addition to Gmail, Docs, and Drive directly in Gemini. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google Workspace extensions.

    Rollout pace


    Availability

    Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:
    • Gemini Business
    • Gemini Enterprise
    • Gemini Education
    • Gemini Education Premium


    Resources


    View full screen tasks lists on Google Calendar

    What’s changing 

    We recently completed the migration of Reminders from Google Calendar and Google Assistant to Google Tasks in order to provide an easy way to view and manage all your to-dos in one place. To build upon this, we’re providing you with a full screen desktop experience to view all tasks together. Starting today, you will be able to see all your tasks and task lists in a single full screen view on Calendar web.
    View full screen tasks lists on Google Calendar


    Who’s impacted 

    End users 


    Why it matters 

    In addition to an optimized desktop layout, this update makes it easier for you to stay on top of and organize your tasks. 


    Getting started 

    • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
    • End users: To view full screen tasks on Calendar web, go to Calendar.google.com > click on the task icon in the top bar. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Google Tasks. 

    Rollout pace 


    Availability 

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts 

    Resources 

    Assistant and Calendar reminders are automatically migrating to Tasks

    What’s changing

    In September 2022, we announced that we would be migrating Reminders from Google Calendar and Google Assistant to Google Tasks in order to create a single experience for managing to-dos across Google. Over the last several weeks, Google Workspace users had the opportunity to voluntarily migrate their reminders to Tasks. 


    For Google Workspace users: If you have not already migrated your Reminders to Tasks, they will be migrated starting today. 


    To help ensure a smooth transition, we’d like to remind admins and end users to: 


    Admins: 
    If you use a Google account for work or school: 
    • If you want a copy of your reminders data and Takeout is enabled for your organization, export your Reminders data before June 22, 2023. 
    If you use a personal Google Account: 
    • If you haven’t already migrated, Assistant and Calendar reminders will begin to automatically migrate in June 2023. We’ll share more information on this timeline in a future update on the Workspace Updates blog. 

    Availability 

    • This update impacts all Google Workspace Customers 

    Resources 

    Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – April 14, 2023

    1 New update

    Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace and G Suite customers.





    Reminder: Google Calendar and Assistant Reminders will migrate to Google Tasks soon
    In February 2023, we shared plans for the next phase of migrating Google Calendar and Assistant Reminders to Google Tasks. As a reminder, if you use a Google account for work and school, you’ll start to see a prompt in Assistant and Calendar to move reminders created in these apps to Tasks. For more information on this migration, please refer to our original announcement.

    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.


    Improve search results with Personalization Boost and Click Boost for Cloud Search 
    To help you find relevant documents faster, we’re introducing user personalization boost and click boost for the Cloud Search API. | Available to Google Cloud Search Customers only. | Learn more. 


    Enabling organizational communication with announcements in Google Chat 
    We're giving Space Managers the ability to configure spaces for sharing organizational announcements. Using the new announcement-only configuration, message posting and other capabilities are limited to designated Space Managers. | Learn more. 


    Fine tune access to data with additional options for Access Approvals 
    In 2022, we introduced Access Approvals, which enables customers to control when Google support personnel can access specific data during support and general maintenance. Beginning this week, we’re introducing additional options that provide customers even more control over these data interactions. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus customers only. | Learn more. 


    Introducing new collaboration and flexibility features for Google Sites 
    We've announced even more enhancements that improve upon collaboration within Sites and give you even more control over the layout of your Site’s content. | Learn more. 


    Practice sets in Google Classroom are now generally available 
    We’re excited to announce that practice sets are now generally available in English in Google Classroom to Google Workspace for Education Plus and Google Workspace for Education Teaching and Learning customers. | Learn more. 


    Streamlined file organization with the new Google Drive location picker 
    We've added improvements to the web Google Drive location picker that enable you to quickly and efficiently select a location to organize files and folders. The updates include a new visual experience and helpful suggestions when moving files and folders or adding shortcuts to items in Drive. | Learn more. 


    New community features for Google Chat and an update on Currents
    Last year, we announced plans to wind down Currents, to focus efforts on community experiences that are better integrated with the rest of Google Workspace. To help our customers manage this transition, we published detailed guidance for Workspace administrators and enabled customers to opt-in for automated migration of Currents data to spaces in Google Chat. | Learn more. 


    Set default label values for files in Google Drive
    This week, we’re expanding the automated classification capabilities of Drive labels to support setting default label values in addition to the current admin ability to apply labels by default. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus customers only. | Learn more. 


    Completed rollouts

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


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

    Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – February 17, 2023

    2 New updates

    Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace and G Suite customers.


    360 degree video backgrounds available for Google Meet on mobile
    Adding to our existing library of immersive backgrounds, Meet users on mobile can use several new 360 degree video backgrounds. These backgrounds—which include a beach and a temple—use your device's gyroscope to create a dynamic experience that moves with you. Note that Admins can turn backgrounds on or off for their users. | Available on Android and iOS devices for all Google Workspace users and users with personal Google Accounts. 
    Editable widgets now available for Chat app cards 
    Developers can now include interactive widgets like checkboxes, radio buttons, and dropdowns in Chat app cards that are posted in the Chat message stream. This will allow you to quickly modify information sent from Chat apps, such as: 
    • Changing the assignee on a task card or changing the due date on a task card
    • Selecting or deselecting options on a card
    This feature is available now to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Frontline, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers only.



    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.


    New setting for content managers to modify shared drives now on by default
    Last December, we announced an upcoming shared drive setting for content managers to modify shared drives. Starting today, all content managers will have the ability to share folders by default, in addition to their current capabilities of editing, reorganizing, and deleting shared drive content. | Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers only. | Learn more. 


    Client-side encryption for Google Calendar is now generally available
    Client-side encryption for Google Calendar is now generally available to eligible Workspace editions. Additionally, based on feedback from beta, we’ve extended client-side encryption to support Key Migration and Google Takeout. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard customers only. | Learn more.


    Improving accessibility of the “connect device” feature on Google Meet hardware devices
    We’re updating the home screen on Series On Desk 27 and Board 65 devices to feature a “Connect device” button as a quick action. | Learn more. 


    Google Calendar and Assistant Reminders will migrate to Google Tasks soon
    As previously announced, in the coming months, we’ll migrate Reminders from Google Calendar and Google Assistant to Google Tasks to create a single experience for managing to-dos across Google. | Learn more.


    Improving the Google Contact management experience
    We’re introducing a new feature available in the Google Contacts sidebar that lets you create new contacts and edit existing contacts. Whether you want to edit contacts faster or create contacts more easily, this update streamlines the contact management experience. | Learn more. 


    Control the visibility of warning banners in Gmail with a new admin control
    We’re giving admins more control over whether warning banners for incoming email messages are displayed for their end users. Specifically, admins can choose to disable spam filters and hide warning banners for: All users and a specific allowlist of senders. | Learn more. 


    Completed rollouts

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


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

    Google Calendar and Assistant Reminders will migrate to Google Tasks soon

    What’s changing

    As previously announced, in the coming months, we’ll migrate Reminders from Google Calendar and Google Assistant to Google Tasks to create a single experience for managing to-dos across Google. 

    Users can create tasks from Calendar and using the hands-free power of Assistant, similar to how they previously created Reminders. Additionally, unlike with Reminders, they can create tasks from other Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Docs and Chat, or directly from the Tasks app.

    If you’re a Google Workspace customer with the Tasks service ON in your organization, your end users can voluntarily migrate beginning April 12, 2023. This migration prompt will appear for users with personal accounts starting on March 6, 2023.

    Enterprise end users will be prompted to migrate their experience beginning April 12, 2023. 



    For Google Workspace customers: Starting on May 22, 2023, Assistant and Calendar Reminders will begin to automatically migrate to Tasks for users that have not already migrated. To help ensure a smooth transition, we recommend the following steps:

    Admins:

    If you use a Google account for work or school:
    • You’ll see a prompt in Assistant and Calendar to move reminders created in these apps to Tasks beginning on April 12, 2023.
    • If you want a copy of your reminders data and Takeout is enabled for your organization, export your Reminders data before June 22, 2023.

    If you use Google with a personal account:
    • You’ll see a prompt in Assistant and Calendar to move reminders created in these apps to Tasks beginning on March 6, 2023.
    • If you haven’t already migrated, Assistant and Calendar reminders will begin to automatically migrate in Q2. We’ll share more information on this timeline in a future update on the Workspace Updates blog.

    Why it’s important

    Once the migration is complete, you’ll be able to view and manage all of your to-dos in one place: Tasks. You’ll be able to leverage features in Tasks such as organizing to-dos with multiple lists and adding descriptions for extra organization. Tasks can be accessed on the web in Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Calendar, Docs and Chat, making it easy to create tasks without the need to switch tabs or apps. If you use Assistant, you’ll also be able to create Tasks directly from Assistant.


    Additional details

    Reminders created in Keep will not be migrated to Tasks — they will still be available in Keep, but they will no longer be displayed in Google Calendar once the migration is complete.


    Rollout pace 


    Google Workspace users:
    • Voluntary migration: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) beginning April 12, 2023
    • Automatic migration: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) beginning May 22, 2023


    Users with personal Google Accounts: 
    • Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) beginning March 6, 2023

    Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – November 11, 2022

    New updates 

    Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace and G Suite customers. 



    Easily assign Tasks from Google Docs on mobile
    Earlier this year, we made it easier for you to assign Tasks from Google Docs. This enables you to assign a checklist item to yourself or a colleague that will then show up in the assignee’s Tasks list. When edits are made to an assigned item in Tasks, such as a change to the title, due date or completion state, those updates will show in the Doc, and vice versa. We’re excited to announce that this is now available on the Docs Android and iOS apps. | Learn more here and here.



    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.



    The new Gmail user interface is becoming the standard experience
    At the beginning of 2022, we announced a new user interface and a customizable, integrated view for Gmail, bringing critical applications like Gmail, Chat, and Meet in one unified location. Starting this month, this user interface will become the standard experience for Gmail, with no option to revert back to the “original view.” With the new UI, users are still able to change their Gmail theme, inbox type, and more through quick settings. | Available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers only. | Learn more.



    Trust rules in Google Drive now generally available
    In July 2022, we announced an open beta for trust rules in Google Drive. Beginning today, this feature will become available for eligible Google Workspace customers. Trust rules give admins more control over how files can be shared, both within and outside of their organization. For example, admins can limit what specific departments can access versus other parts of their organization. See our original announcement for more information. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Enterprise Standard, Education Plus, and Education Standard customers only. | Learn more. 



    Use Key Migration to change or add key services for Client-side encryption
    As we continue to expand Client-side encryption (CSE) across Google Workspace products, we’re introducing Key Migration which allows admins to enable additional key services or change their existing key service. In both cases, built-in controls ensure key migrations are performed safely, with support for backup key services and potential roll backs. These ensure encrypted data remains inaccessible to Google and fidelity is maintained through the migration process. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus customers only. | Learn more. 


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

    Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – August 19, 2022

    New updates 


    There are no new updates to share this week. Please see below for a recap of published announcements. 


    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.



    Improved quality and performance for Google Meet effects on the web 
    Background effects are now more accurate for Google Meet users on the web. This allows you to experience more accurate background blur, background replace, and immersive background and styles. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus customers, and Workspace Individual users on eligible devices in eligible countries (Northern America, Europe, Northern Africa, Central Asia, Southeastern Asia). Visit the Help Center to learn more about availability. | Learn more. 

    More control over accessibility preferences in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings 
    You’re now able to set preferences for Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings individually, rather than having the same accessibility settings apply across these products. | Learn more. 

    Updated user interface for managing email quarantines 
    In the coming weeks, you will see a new user interface when using the email quarantine tool. This brings the email quarantine experience inline with other tools in the Admin console, making it more intuitive to navigate and use. | Learn more. 

    See how much noise is being removed during Google Meet video calls 
    Google Meet can now remove background noises such as typing, construction sounds, or background chatter. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Workspace Individual customers only. | Learn more. 

    Conveniently connect site visitors with social channels in new Sites 
    Site editors can now insert stylized social media links into pages within their site, enabling you to more conveniently connect site visitors with additional information and content on your social channels. | Learn more. 

    Enhancements to the “Frame people” feature on Google Meet hardware devices 
    We’ve introduced two enhancements on Google Meet hardware devices for the “Frame people” feature: 
    • The “Frame people” feature is now more easily discoverable and can be accessed in a meeting from the touch panel in fewer steps. 
    • A solution to a recent bug impacting the auto framing capability for some Google Meet hardware devices. The auto framing functionality has been restored to impacted devices with improved reliability and performance. 
    Available to all supported Google Meet hardware devices that have not yet reached their auto-update expiration date. | Learn more. 

    New color categorization in Calendar to better understand how you’re spending your time 
    You can now categorize your time by naming and assigning a corresponding color label to an event within Time Insights in Calendar. | Available to Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus and Nonprofits customers only. | Learn more. 

    Easily assign Tasks from Google Docs 
    In Google Docs, you can now assign a checklist item to yourself or a colleague that will then show up in the assignee’s Tasks list. | Learn more. 


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

    Easily assign Tasks from Google Docs

    Quick summary

    In Google Docs, you can now assign a checklist item to yourself or a colleague that will then show up in the assignee’s Tasks list. When edits are made to an assigned item in Tasks, such as a change to the title, due date or completion state, those updates will show in the Doc, and vice versa.


    Getting started 

    Rollout pace 

    Availability 

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
    • Not available to users with personal Google Accounts 

    Resources