Google announces new features so workers at home don’t lose out if colleagues return to the office
Google is adding a range of new features to its Google Workspace functions, in order to ensure its users can continue to access its products in a post-pandemic world where many continue to work remotely.
Google says the tools and features are to help people manage their time better and “collaborate equally”.
This includes more Google Assistant functionality, so the voice-controlled tool can tell users what is next in their work calendar, join meetings, and send messages on mobile devices, smart speakers, and smart displays - although functionality for the latter two currently remains in beta.
Google is also introducing segmentable working hours, recurring out-of-office entries, and location indicators to its Calendar app, and a new type of event Google calls “Focus Time” that minimises notifications automatically.
“All these availability and location indicators will show up seamlessly across Google Workspace, as teams engage with Calendar, Meet, Chat, and Gmail”, Javier Soltero, VP and GM of Google Workspace, writes.
“We’ll also be delivering Time Insights to Google Workspace users (visible to the employee only, not their manager), so that employees can assess how they’re spending their time against their own priorities.”
For Google Meet, the company’s Zoom competitor, Google is creating “second-screen experiences” so users can view calls on multiple displays with greater ease - using a smart display or a phone to log into a meeting while presenting with their main device such as a laptop.
Additionally, a mobile tile view is being rolled out so more people in the call will be visible in one screen, and reinforcing that with picture-in-picture support and split-screen.
Finally, Google is starting a new project called Google Workspace Frontline, which provides tools for frontline workers in Gmail, Chat, Docs, and Drive, which will be rolled out in the coming weeks, “as well as business-grade support and security features like advanced endpoint management that help keep a company’s data secure.”
Business teams can build simple apps called AppSheets directly from Sheets and Drive, which the company says helps frontline workers digitise and streamline their work.
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