November 10th, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
As recently communicated, the auto-migration of older spreadsheets (those created prior to Dec 2013, including any subsequent copies) to the new version of Google Sheets will start today for Google Apps domains on the Rapid release track.No action is r…
November 7th, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
At Google I/O in June, we introduced material design, a single underlying design system that allows for a unified experience across platforms and device sizes. It features smooth animations and transitions between screens, a multi-layered interface with quick access to the elements that you need most often, and a colorful UI with diverse fonts and styles.
Material design principles have begun to appear in recent Google product launches, including Google Classroom, the Docs, Sheets, and Slides home screens and mobile apps, the Drive Android app, Android 5.0 Lollipop and the new Gmail and Calendar Android apps. You’ll continue to see more Google products adopting these new design principles across platforms in the coming months
To help with this transition, we’ve created a few resources for Google Apps customers. First, a special segment of The Apps Show featuring an interview with Lucas Pettinati, UX Lead for Google Apps. Lucas explains Google’s approach to applying material design to Apps products and what to expect moving forward. Second, an instructional guide [pdf] outlining the functional elements of material design and a deep dive [pdf] into how these elements surface in the new Gmail Android app. Check out these resources and share them with your organization.
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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November 7th, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Since the launch of the new Google Drive UI in June, the new experience has been opt-in, allowing people to try out and become accustomed to the UI and feature set. We’ve since been working on adding a few features that weren’t ready for the launch in June, like the ability to view and manage versions for non-Google file formats, and add caption files or transcript files to videos.
With these features now complete, today’s launch will make the new UI the default experience for people using Drive, while retaining the option for them to return to the old Drive UI via the Settings drop down. In the future, we’ll remove the option to return to the old Drive UI.
Release track:
Rapid release (gradual rollout), with Scheduled release coming early in 2015
For more information:
Help Center
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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November 6th, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
A new version of the Google Drive iOS app, optimized for iOS 8, is now available in the App Store. The app includes some new security and convenience features, including:
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Open files from Drive, and save back to Drive, from other apps on your device (iOS 8 only)
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Unlock Drive using Touch IDーwe’ve offered the ability to Passcode Lock the Drive app for a while now, so today’s update makes it even easier to keep your files safe (iOS 8 only)
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Save videos from Drive to your device’s camera roll (tap File Info icon > Open In > Save Video)
Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release
For more information:
G+ post
Get the Google Drive app in the App Store
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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November 5th, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Today we’re launching a new extension for Chrome that lets you open files from Google Drive directly into a compatible application installed on your computer. This includes apps like advanced image and video editing software, accounting and tax programs, or 3D animation and design tools. So, no matter what you keep in Drive, using the web to access and manage files doesn’t mean you’re limited to using applications that only work in your browser.
To get started, install the latest version of the Drive app for Mac or PC (version 1.18) and sync your files. Then, visit Google Drive in your Chrome browser (make sure you’re on the new Google Drive). Finally, right-click on the file and select “Open with” to see a list of compatible applications on your computer that can open it. For example, you can choose to open a PDF file with Adobe Reader, or a .psd with Photoshop, make your edits and save back changes to Drive which will sync across all your devices and other collaborators.
Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release (gradual rollout)
For more information:
Google for Work Blog post
Help Center
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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November 4th, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Check out this month’s “What’s New in Google Apps” newsletter [pdf] for a roundup of all Apps launches from October 2014.Newsletter Archive & Translated Versions (coming soon for October issue)Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps ed…
November 3rd, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Building on the recent launch of aggregate reports in Admin console, we’ve launched additional time-series reports for Gmail, with the goal of providing admins more visibility into mail flow.
New reports include:
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Outbound Mail Delivery
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Outbound Mail Encryption
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Inbound Mail Delivery
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Inbound Mail Encryption
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Inbound Spam
For more detail on these new reports, check the Gmail section of the aggregate reports Help Center article.
To access the aggregate reports dashboard, sign in to the Admin console and click Reports > Aggregate Reports.
Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release
For more information:
Help Center
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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November 3rd, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Today, the Gmail app for Android is getting updated with a more modern style, sleeker transitions, and a few other handy improvements.
As part of the new design, there’s now a convenient reply button at the bottom of every message, making it quick and easy to continue a conversation when you’re on the go. And if you access the app on your Android tablet, you’ll notice it’s easier to switch between accounts and the different inbox categories.
The updated Gmail app also now supports all email providers, which means you can set up a separate inbox for, say, your Yahoo Mail or Outlook.com addresses using POP/IMAP.
The new app will support all Android 4.0+ devices. It’s available today on all devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop and will be rolling out on Google Play to everyone else over the next few days.
Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release
For more information:
Google for Work blog post
Get the Gmail app on Google Play
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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November 3rd, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Today, we’re introducing a brand new Google Calendar app, built to save you time and help you make the most of every day.
Key features of the app include:
The new Google Calendar will work on all Android 4.1+ devices. It’s available today on all devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop, and you’ll be able to download the update from Google Play in the coming weeks. We’re also working hard on a version for iPhone.
Note: The web version of Google Calendar will see some minor terminology changes today (‘Reminders’ become ‘Notifications,’ ‘Privacy becomes Visibility,’ and Privacy level ‘Default’ becomes ‘Calendar Default’).
In addition, once people get the new mobile app, they will be able to set separate Notification defaults for all-day events on web as well as mobile. In the coming weeks, people on web Calendar who haven’t used the app will also see this change. They will be informed the first time they use Calendar after this happens.
Release track:
App available now for both Rapid release and Scheduled release tracks on devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop. Update available for both release tracks on Google Play (for Android 4.1+) in the coming weeks.
Separate Notification defaults for all-day events on web for those who don’t download the app will launch to Rapid domains in two weeks, and to Scheduled release domains two weeks later.
For more information:
Google for Work blog post
Calendar website
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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November 3rd, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
As recently communicated, Google Forms is in the process of upgrading older forms to the new version of Google Forms, followed by the auto-upgrading of legacy themes to allow for customization and a better mobile experience moving forward. After t…
October 31st, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
As initially announced in November 2011, and reiterated in June of this year, the older versions (v1, v2) of the Google Calendar API will be shut down on November 17, 2014.Any service dependent on v1 or v2 of the Google Calendar API will no longer work…
October 30th, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Late last year, we announced that the Google Talk app for Windows was being retired. Soon, people using the Google Talk client for Windows will start seeing the following notification within the application: Google Talk app for Windows is no longer sup…
October 30th, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
The Google Admin app for Android allows super admins to manage their Google for Work products on the go with their Android phones and tablets. The app can be used to manage users and groups, contact support, view audit logs, check notifications and do other common administrative tasks. We’ve launched an update to the app, including the following new features:
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Optional 4-digit PIN that works across devices: We’ve added an optional and convenient 4-digit PIN to secure access to the app. You can use the same PIN while logging into the app from any device.
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Ability to switch between multiple accounts: Admins who manage multiple domains can now do so from the app without logging out and logging in
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Accessibility compliance: The app is now accessibility compliant on all primary flows and use cases
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New icons and other fixes: The app now features new sharper icons; several bugs have been fixed
Note that this app works for super admins only and requires API access to be enabled. Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release For more information:
Get the Google Admin app for Android
Help Center
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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October 30th, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Starting next week, people using older spreadsheets (those created prior to Dec 2013, including any subsequent copies) in Google Apps domains on the Rapid release track will see a notification about an upcoming auto-migration to the new version of Google Sheets. They will be directed to the Help Center to learn more.
The actual migration won’t start for another 2-3 weeks, and no action is required as a result of the migration. No data should be affected; however, in rare cases the results of some formulas and some other features may be slightly different. See “What’s different in the new Sheets?” in the Help Center article for more detailed information.
You can tell what version your spreadsheet is in by checking to see if there is a green checkmark at the bottom right of your spreadsheet (the checkmark is found on new Sheets only).
Release track:
Rapid release; the notification will be shown to Scheduled release domains closer to the actual migration date
For more information:
Help Center
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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October 29th, 2014 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
A new version of the Google Drive Android app is coming to Google Play. The launch includes:
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New Design: The new interface, leveraging some of the Material Design principles recently announced, puts your content front and center and makes creating, uploading and accessing it easier than ever.
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Improved Search: The search tool makes it easy to find the content you’re looking for by updating results as you type each letter into the search box.
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Better Sharing: Add a custom message when you share a file so your collaborators know why you sent it. You can also turn on link sharing to make the file “public” and set access to view, comment, or edit. This automatically copies the link to the clipboard and allows you to paste it wherever you want.
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Enhanced PDF Viewer: A new PDF viewer lets you find, select and copy text in PDFs, and it’s built right into Drive so you don’t need to launch another app.
Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release (gradual rollout)
For more information:
Google for Work Blog post
Get the Google Drive App on Google Play
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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