Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is working hard to make remote work easier. During the pandemic, Google Workspace is helping countless employees, small businesses, organizations, and even corporates function efficiently through its integrated communication features.

Regular updates and integrations allow smooth transitions between platforms like Gmail, Google Chat, Google Slides, Docs, Sheets, etc., thus saving a lot of time. In the following post, we will learn about the new updates featured in Google Workspace and how it affects your work productivity.

 1. New Design Update for the Admin Console Homepage

Google admin console

The Admin console home page is getting a new design. If you are already familiar with the Admin console home page and work on it regularly, you will see that it's easier to get an overview of all common tasks now.

The most important updates are as follows:

  1. A new card-based UI provides quick access to common tasks.
  2. Expandable and collapsible cards for Users, Billings, and Domains.
  3. Ordering cards and items according to the frequency of usage (most used items will feature before the other items).

How Does This Help You?

The new design on the Admin console home page lets you navigate through your cards and tasks more smoothly. It is time-saving and less stressful to operate. These features will make it simpler for you to get a bird's eye view of its deployment across the organization.

The new Admin console is accessible to all Google Workspace users, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers.

2. New Types of Citations in Google Docs

Google Docs citations

It's good news for the students of films and liberal arts. Google Docs has added four new types of citations, relating to the entertainment genre. The new citations are:

  1. Films
  2. TV series
  3. TV episodes
  4. Miscellaneous

To add a citation source in your document,

  1. Open the document in Google Docs.
  2.  Go to Tools > citations.
  3.  On the citation sidebar, click on Add citation source.
  4.  From the dropdown box select the category which suits your document.

How Does This Help You?

These features are not for everyone as all of us don't use citations every day. Still, it's a productivity boost for authors who cover these topics.

The new citations are available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers. The partial rollout has started while the full rollout starts on April 26, 2021.

3. Google Workspace Frontline Is Now Available for Everyone

Google Workspace interface

Google Workspace Frontline was launched for the emergency workers who are working during the pandemic. It gave frontline workers access to collaborative and management tools like Gmail, Meet, Slides, etc on one single platform along with advanced security and administrative controls.

This made it easy for the employees to handle tasks safely and quickly. Now, this Workspace is available for purchase through sales. Customers will also experience new security features and business-grade support.

Your employees get 2 GB of Drive space per user to access shared files. The Google Workspace Frontline gives direct access to:

  1. Gmail
  2. Google Chat
  3. Google Meet
  4. Google Slides
  5. Google Docs
  6. Google Sheets
  7. Google Slides

How Does This Help You?

This new integration platform is especially helpful for corporates as the employees on the frontlines can easily collaborate with their corporate infrastructure on any device anywhere. It offers all the basic Google Workspace tools along with business-grade support and security features like advanced endpoint management.

This enables admins to manage apps for Android and iOS devices, set up work profiles for Android devices, remotely wipe devices if needed, and acquire strong mobile passcodes.

Google Workspace Frontline has already rolled out.

4. Customize Notifications on Gmail and Google Chat

Google Chat New Notifications

Now, you can change the frequency of notifications you receive through Gmail and Google Chat. This would directly affect the push notifications on your PC and smartphone. You can select three preferences for notifications:

  1. Notify always: You will receive notifications for every mention and message. Additionally, every new message will be badged.
  2. Notify less: You will only receive a notification for mentions and follow threads. This can also be used to notify about new threads.
  3. Notifications off: You will receive no notifications at all. Only a badge will be displayed if you're mentioned.

To change notification settings,

  1. Open Gmail > settings.
  2. Click on See all settings > Chat and Meet.
  3. Select Desktop notifications.

How Does This Help You?

If you are easily irritated by push notifications and useless mentions, this feature is a lifesaver. Customizing your notifications gives you the liberty to walk away from the keyboard whenever you need it.

Now, it's available to all Google Workspace users, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers

5. Google Chat UI Gets an Upgrade

Google chat interface

Starting now, the Google Chat UI will see some new integrations and aesthetics. The new integrations include:

  1. Access files and tasks via tabs at the top in Google Chat.
  2. Access apps like Calendar, Keep, Tasks, and Maps from a quick-access sidebar similar to the one in Gmail.
  3. The search for a new user will now be under the "+" option on the left side.
  4. Search for content across all rooms and DMs by using the search bar.
  5. Toggle between pop-up view and fullscreen view.
  6. Static Chats and Rooms options on the left side of the panel so that scrolling through each section becomes easier.
  7. The top of the Chats and Rooms section will feature pinned chats and rooms and there won't be a separate feature for that, saving time.
  8. chat.google.com will now redirect to mail.google.com/chat. However, users can continue to use chat.google.com to access Chat.

How Does This Help You?

Similar to the Admin console upgrade, the re-designed Chat UI helps you to be more efficient. Accessing files directly via tabs on the top is much easier than searching for different options.

Overall, the UI is better and more productive than the previous one. The new UI rolled out on March 24, 2021. It is available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers.

Making the Most of G Suite's Updates

As more and more people are working remotely, each update to Google Workspace is making working on the cloud seamless.

The Admin Console homepage is a relief for small businesses, and Google Docs citation update is a bonus for the literary artists. So, everyone can find something to cheer about.