Trial and purchase Chrome device management software directly
September 22nd, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
If you’re a current Google Apps customer, we’re making it easier than ever to set up Chrome device management for managing employee Chrome devices — directly from your Admin console. We’re also offering a free trial of Chrome device management for 60 days and up to 10 devices*.
With Chrome device management, you can manage and configure more than 200 features and settings for your Chrome device fleet (and you can buy devices from our Chrome Store). These settings provide added security for your employee and business data, tools for improved employee productivity, and time savings with easier device management.
As an administrator, Chrome device management lets you easily configure Chrome features for users, set up Chrome device access to Wi-Fi networks and VPNs, automatically install Chrome extensions and apps, and more. You can apply each setting to specific sets of users, devices, or to everyone in the organization. For example, you can configure a device to automatically connect to a specific network or restrict devices from a specific network.
You can also manage public session devices where multiple users can share the same Chrome device without the need to sign in with a username and password. For example, you can use public sessions to configure Chrome devices for use as kiosks, loaner devices, shared computers or any other work-related purpose in which users don’t need to sign in.
For more details and instructions, check out the Help Center article about Chrome device management trials and subscriptions.
*Notes:
- The trial is only available to customers in the U.S. and Canada.
- Currently the trial is only available if you haven’t already purchased a Chrome device management license. It’s also only for annual Chrome device management licenses so is not relevant for Education customers.
Launch Details
Release track:
Available now to both Rapid release and Scheduled release
Impact:
Admins only
Action:
Admin action suggested/FYI
More Information
Help Center: Chrome device management Online Trials and Subscriptions
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Better Google Drive auditing and reporting in the Admin console and Reports API
September 22nd, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
To help Google Apps admins monitor and analyze their organizations’ Google Drive content, we offer audit logs in the
Reports > Audit > Drive section of the Admin console, as well as via the Reports API. Today’s launch brings the following improvements to that reporting, making it even more useful for you:
- If a user outside of your domain views or takes action on a document explicitly shared with them (as an individual or as part of a specific group), we will now show that event and that user’s details. Previously, this would be recorded as an anonymous user event.
- If a user outside of your domain takes action on a document shared with the public via link sharing, we will now show that event in the audit logs as an anonymous user edit event. Previously, only anonymous user views were recorded.
- In addition to the customer usage and user usage reports already in the Reports API, we will now show aggregated statistics around user behavior, like creating, editing, viewing, and trashing. These new metrics will only be accessible via the Reports API.
Please note that the first two features above are only available to customers with Google Apps Unlimited and Google Apps for Education.
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release
Rollout pace:
Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
Admins only
Action:
Admin action suggested/FYI
More information
Help Center: Drive audit log (Google Apps Unlimited)
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Update: Increased account security via OAuth 2.0 token revocation
September 21st, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Late last year, we announced a planned change to our security policy, whereby OAuth 2.0 tokens would be revoked when a user’s password was changed. We later decided not to move forward with this change for Apps customers and began working on a more admin-friendly approach, which is now ready to be rolled out.
To achieve the security benefits of this policy change with minimal admin confusion and end-user disruption, we’ve decided to initially limit the change to mail scopes only, and to exclude Apps Script tokens. Apps installed via the Google Apps Marketplace are also not subject to the token revocation. Once this change is in effect, third-party mail apps like Apple Mail and Thunderbird―as well as other applications that use multiple scopes that include at least one mail scope―will stop syncing data upon password reset until a new OAuth 2.0 token has been granted. A new token will be granted when the user re-authorizes with their Google account username and password.
Mobile mail applications are also included in this policy change. For example, people who use Apple’s mail application on iOS will now have to re-authorize with their Google account credentials when their password has been changed. This new behavior for third-party mobile mail apps aligns with the current behavior of the Gmail apps on iOS and Android, which also require re-authorization upon password reset.
Please see this Help Center article and FAQ for more details. The policy change is scheduled to take effect on October 5, 2016. Moving forward, any additional scopes to be added to the policy will be communicated in advance.
Please note that password changes alone should not be relied upon for account security. If you suspect an account may be compromised, use the checklist in the Help Center to ensure that your users’ accounts are secure.
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid and Scheduled release on October 5, 2016
Rollout pace:
Full rollout (1-3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
All end users
Action:
Change management suggested/FYI
More Information
Help Center and FAQ
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Your emails, optimized for every screen with responsive design
September 21st, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
(Cross posted from the Apps Developer Blog)
Posted by Pierce Vollucci, Associate Product Manager, Gmail and Steve Bazyl, Developer Programs Engineer, Google Apps
When you send emails, your recipients might read them on a computer, tablet, or phone—or more likely, all three. However your message might look different on all these devices. Later this month, you’ll be able to use CSS media queries with Gmail and Inbox by Gmail to ensure that your message is formatted the way you intended, whether it’s viewed on a computer, a phone in portrait mode, or a tablet in landscape mode. You’ll be able to change styles based on width, rotation, and resolution, allowing for more responsive formatting to optimize your email for every device.
Example of an email before and after responsive design |
In discussions with email designers, these supported CSS rules were identified as the most useful media queries to support responsive design. This is just one part of an overall effort to expand CSS support in Gmail and to give email designers more control over how their messages are rendered. For example, the CSS below applies the color red when the screen width exceeds 500px.
@media screen and (min-width: 500px) {
.colored {
color:red;
}
}
You can find the full list of supported CSS rules in the developer documentation. We hope this reference helps you create more feature-rich, responsive email for users. Happy formatting!
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release after September 29, 2016
Rollout pace:
Gradual rollout (more than 3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
All end-users
Action:
Change management suggested
More Information
Developer Documentation
Gmail Blog (for end-users)
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Google+ is now a core Google Apps for Work service
September 21st, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Starting today, Google+ is now a core Google Apps for Work service when used within a domain, and will be included in existing Google Apps agreements for most customers. This means that Google+ will have the same technical support and service level commitments as any other core service, like Gmail or Google Drive.
Going forward, domains using Google+ will receive the following benefits:
- Domain-restricted content and activity will be handled as specified in your Google Apps agreement
- Google+ will be compliant with the terms, conditions and service levels defined in the Google Apps Technical Support Services Guidelines and the Google Apps Service Level Agreement
- Google+ will be added as a monitored service to the Apps Status Dashboard (ASD)
- In the coming days, Google+ will be removed from the list of Additional Google Services and added to the list of Google Apps services in the Admin console
To provide a service that is consistent with the protections of our Google Apps agreement, the following changes will affect your domain’s current use of Google+:
- All web users on a computer will be automatically upgraded to the latest version of Google+, and will no longer have the option to switch back to the “classic” version
- Native mobile app versions of Google+ released prior to today’s launch will no longer be fully supported, so users should ensure they have upgraded to the latest versions.
Engaging people is key to innovation, and many Google Apps for Work domains have found Google+ to be an invaluable tool that helps drive active engagement and cultivate innovative ideas from all levels of the organization. By making Google+ the newest core service for Google Apps, Google+ will now provide the support and guaranteed SLAs that businesses need.
Notes:
- We will be updating several default settings for new domains going forward to help make content less publicly visible. These settings will not be changed for existing domains, but we recommend that you review them:
-
- Help Center: Set the default for profile discoverability
-
- Recommended setting: disabled/unchecked
- Help Center: Set a default sharing restriction for Google+ content
-
- Recommended setting: domain-restricted
- Help Center: Enable or disable Google+ profile name changes
-
- Recommended setting: disabled/unchecked
- While Google Apps for Education domains will also receive the Google+ product changes outlined above, Google+ will remain a non-core service for these domains.
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release
Rollout pace:
Gradual rollout (potentially longer than 3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
All end-users for domains with Google+ enabled
Action:
Change management suggested
More Information
Recommended for admins:
- Help Center: Manage Google+ for your Google Apps team
- Help Center: Set the default for profile discoverability
- Help Center: Set a default sharing restriction for Google+ content
- Help Center: Enable or disable Google+ profile name changes
Recommended for users:
- Learning Center
- Transformation Gallery
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What you love about Google Search — now for Drive
September 20th, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
(Cross posted from the Google Drive blog)
Innovation is critical for business success, so we’re constantly trying to build tools that enable our customers to do more. Starting today, you can use Natural Language Processing (NLP) and other new and improved features in Drive search on web to find files easier and faster. You’ll also see a couple of highly-requested Google Docs features that have been added based on your feedback (thank you!).
Search faster and with ease
Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a fancy way of saying “search like you talk.” You can type things like “find my budget spreadsheet from last December” or “show me presentations from Anissa.” Drive will understand what you mean and give you the option to click for those specific search results. Drive NLP will get better with each query — so keep on searching. 
Get help with speling — er, spelling
When you’re trying to find a doc fast, it’s easy for typos to slip into your search. Drive now has a new autocorrect feature that suggests corrections to misspelled search terms — which can really help when your brain is moving faster than your fingers.
Enjoy other updates based on your feedback
We’ve also added a few small but mighty features in Google Docs to help you create your best work:
- You can now easily split your document into multiple columns in Docs. Just choose “Columns” in the “Format” drop-down menu when you need more formatting options to get your point across.
- We know that work happens in all types of file formats. So, when you open, convert and edit non-Google files in Docs, Sheets and Slides, we’ll now save a copy for you. Just view or download the non-Google source file in its original format directly from Revision History in Docs, Sheets and Slides on the web.
These features are available globally and will roll out gradually starting today. As always, tell us know what you think about these new features on Google+ and Twitter. We’re listening.
Posted by Josh Smith, Product Manager, Google Drive
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in 2 weeks
Rollout pace:
Gradual rollout (potentially longer than 3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
All end users
Action:
Change management required
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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Introducing the Google Trips app
September 19th, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
To help reduce the hassle and help travelers enjoy their hard-earned vacations, today we’re introducing a new mobile app to help you instantly plan each day of your trip with just a few taps of your finger: Google Trips.
Google Trips is a personalized tour guide in your pocket. Each trip contains key categories of information, including day plans, reservations, things to do, food and drink, and more, so you have everything you need at your fingertips. Check out the announcement on the Official Google blog to learn more.
The Google Trips app will be available for Google Apps customers on both Android and iOS in the coming days. Depending on your Admin console setting for opting in to new services, access to the app will either be automatically enabled*, or can be enabled manually. You will also be able to control access to the app in the Admin console under Apps > Additional Google Services.
*Note: the app will be defaulted off for Google Apps for Education customers.
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release in the coming days. Please monitor the Google Apps release calendar for the specific availability date.
Rollout pace:
Gradual rollout (potentially longer than 3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
All end users
Action:
Change management suggested/FYI
More Information
Download the Google Trips app for Android and iOS
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September 13th, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
In an effort to ensure our customers are getting the best possible experience when using Chromebox for meetings (CFM), we are revisiting how ChromeOS updates are handled for CFM devices.
Today, CFM admins are able to manage ChromeOS updates by choosing to pin a ChromeOS version and enable/disable ChromeOS updates for their devices. Customers pinning the ChromeOS version or disabling auto-updates may not enjoy the benefits that new ChromeOS versions may bring them, including new features and security updates. This can result in a degraded user experience when using the Hangouts application on CFM devices.
To address this issue, we are rolling out a new feature in the Admin console―planned for October 12, 2016―that will allow the Hangouts application to update in tandem with ChromeOS. This will enable the Hangouts application to directly manage ChromeOS updates to ensure high reliability and stability for CFM devices.
When this feature launches, admins will not be able to configure the auto-update settings when the release channel is set to stable. However, they will still be able to configure the OS update scattering policy.
Our goal is to provide a superior experience that will delight your users with minimal admin intervention. We would love to hear your thoughts on this planned change. Please reach out to us at .
Launch Details
Release track:
Launch to both Rapid release and Scheduled release planned for October 12, 2016
Rollout pace:
Full rollout (1-3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
Admins only
Action:
Admin action suggested/FYI
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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September 13th, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Many organizations put accounts of former employees into a suspended state for an extended period of time before deleting them. Until now, upon user suspension, the user’s Primary Calendar could no longer be read or edited by anyone in the organization, including super admins. As a result, it was not possible to edit or change ownership of Team Events or 1:1s that kept occupying space in others’ calendars or conference rooms, resulting in stale calendar events and poorly utilized meeting rooms.
With this change, super administrators can now manage suspended users’ data from both the Google Calendar web UI and the Google Calendar API. This will make it easier to identify and remove stale events when they are no longer useful, as well as move events to new owners when needed.
Please note: We’re currently working on similar functionality for deleted users.
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release
Rollout pace:
Full rollout (1-3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
Admins only
Action:
Change management suggested/FYI
Learn more
Help Center
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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Improving the deduplication flow when uploading to Google Drive
September 6th, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
A common use case for Google Drive users is to download a file from their Drive to modify it locally, and then to re-upload the new version. In the past, this would result in duplicate files (the original and the new one), and users would have trouble finding the latest version. That’s why we’re introducing a change in Drive to deduplicate files which were uploaded in this way.
Once launched, when users upload files that have the same filename as an existing file, they’ll be deduplicated, and the old file will be in revision history. This is so that if any mistakes are made, users can get back to the previous version. Similarly, uploaded folders will be merged with folders of the same name.
To prevent the files from being deduplicated, click on “Keep as separate file” once it’s been uploaded.
Available on the web today for Rapid release users, we hope you enjoy the simpler way to update your files.
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in 2 weeks
Rollout pace:
Gradual rollout (potentially longer than 3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
All end users
Action:
Change management suggested/FYI
More information
Help Center
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What’s New in Google Apps newsletter – August 2016
September 1st, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Check out the latest “What’s New in Google Apps” newsletter [pdf] for a roundup of all Apps launches from August 2016.Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise notedLaunch release calendarLaunch detail categoriesGet…
August 30th, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
If you’ve recently rebranded your business or purchased a new domain name, today’s launch makes it possible to rename your primary domain directly from the Admin console.* Simply follow the instructions outlined in the Help Center to swap your existing primary domain name with any verified secondary domain name. If you purchased your Google Apps licenses from a Reseller, please notify them before making any changes to your domain name.
*Please note that this feature is not available for Reseller accounts, domains purchased through a Google partner, accounts with Chrome or Mobile Device Management licenses, or customers in trial. You also cannot change Standard edition domains.
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release
Rollout pace:
Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
Admins only
Action:
Admin action suggested/FYI
More Information
Help Center: Before you change your primary domain
Help Center: Change your primary domain from the Admin console
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August 30th, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
From keeping remote workers in the loop to sharing information across teams, businesses are using Google+ to collaborate and communicate more effectively. As announced last week, today the new version of Google+ will become the default option on web fo…
August 29th, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps, Google Docs
Today, you can view the details of any file or folder stored in Google Drive, including the file or folder owner’s name, the last time it was opened or modified, its location, and more. With this launch, you’ll gain that same capability in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides on the web.
To see details of a Google document, spreadsheet, or presentation, simply select Document details from the File menu.
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release
Rollout pace:
Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
All end users
Action:
Change management suggested/FYI
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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August 29th, 2016 | by Jane Smith | published in Google Apps
Google offers its Google Apps customers useful and simple-to-use video chat features to make communication better. Whether communicating changes to remote teams, presenting demos to stakeholders, or just getting things done quicker in real time, screen sharing is an effective way to present content to your audience. That’s why we’re excited to roll out a new integration between Google Chrome and Google Hangouts that makes screen sharing from your Chrome browser to a Google Hangout easier than ever before.
With this launch, signed-in Chrome users on Chrome 52 or higher will be able to use the “Cast…” menu item from Chrome to share the contents of a browser tab or their entire desktop into a Hangout. Hangouts that are scheduled on the user’s Google Calendar are shown automatically, but they can also be joined manually using the “Search” text box.
Google Cast does not need to be installed on the user’s machine, as this is now natively available in Chrome 52 or higher. We hope this makes the feature easier to roll out to users, allowing screen sharing to be just 1-2 clicks away.
Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release
Rollout pace:
Full rollout (1-3 days for feature visibility)
Impact:
All end users on Chrome 52
Action:
Change management suggested/FYI
More Information
Help Center
Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted
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