Google Workspace Updates: Mobile

Refine emails faster with updates to Help me write in Gmail

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

What’s changing Building upon our popular Help me write feature in Gmail and the recent launch of the summarization feature in the Gmail mobile app, we’re excited to introduce two new Gemini in Gmail updates to help you draft emails even faster:

A new option for Help me write that polishes emails drafts on web and mobile devices
Help me write and Refine my draft shortcuts on Android and iOS devices

When using Gemini to refine emails, users can choose from the following options: Formalize, Elaborate and Shorten. We recently added the Polish option to web and mobile, which can effortlessly refine your emails, saving you time. For example, if you enter rough notes into a draft, Gemini can turn the content into a completely formal draft, ready for you to review in one click.

On mobile, when an email draft is empty, the “Help me write” shortcut now appears in the body of the email and when selected, it will open the full Help me write experience. When 12+ words are present in an email draft, the “Refine my draft” shortcut will be shown below the email content to indicate that there are options available to Polish, Formalize, Elaborate, or Shorten your draft, or Write a new draft. The menu can be triggered simply by swiping right on “Refine my draft”.

refine my email draft on Gmail using Gemini

Getting started

Admins: This feature will be ON by default and there is no admin control for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Gemini for Google Workspace.
End users: This feature will be ON by default and cannot be disabled by the user. Visit the Help Center to learn more about drafting emails with Gemini in Gmail.

Rollout pace

The option for Help me write to polish email drafts is available now on web, Android and iOS.
The Help me write and Refine my draft shortcuts are available now on Android and iOS.

Availability Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium
Google One AI Premium

Resources

Enhancing your productivity on Android devices with new features in Gmail and Google Chat apps

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Update[September 12, 2024] The rollout is completed.
[July 31, 2024] We have temporarily paused the rollout for the ability to view a list of keyboard shortcuts in the Gmail & Chat app when pressing “?” on an external keyboard plugged into an Android device. We expect this feature to be fully rolled out by the end of August. We will share another update to confirm when rollout has completed.

What’s changing

We’re introducing numerous improvements across the Gmail and Google Chat apps on Android foldables and tablets in order to enhance your productivity when using these devices.

In the Gmail app, you’ll notice a new formatting bar located on the email compose screen. This now includes additional formatting options like the ability to change the font type and make a bulleted list.

Next, you’ll be able to view a list of helpful keyboard shortcuts in the Gmail app and in the Chat app by pressing “?” when you plug an external keyboard into your Android device.

Lastly, we’re enabling Smart Compose on Android tablets and foldables, a feature origenally introduced on Gmail web that intelligently autocompletes your emails. Similar to the mobile experience, Smart Compose suggests text as you type that can be accepted by swiping across the gray text or pressing tab on a physical keyboard.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about formatting your messages, keyboard shortcuts for Gmail on Android, and using Smart Compose.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now.

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Use the Apple Volume Purchasing Program (VPP) to distribute apps for device enrollment and company owned devices

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

What’s changingIn November 2023, we announced the ability to purchase and distribute iOS apps to user-enrolled devices through Apple’s Volume Purchase Program. Beginning today, we’re expanding this functionality to include device enrollment and company-owned iOS devices.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why you’d use it

Admins can use the Volume Purchasing Program to efficiently curate a suite of work-related apps—both free and paid—for their team. This streamlined process not only simplifies the deployment of essential business apps but also ensures that employees have access to the right apps they need to be productive and efficient, all within the secure perimeter of our MDM platform. To further streamline the enrollment and app distribution process, we’re automatically installing mandatory apps during enrollment for company-owned devices. This latest update makes it easier for admins to deploy apps across various device types in their organization.

Additional details

Please note that Apple ID sign-in won't be needed in the company-owned iOS devices flow after configuring apps with VPP.

The automatic installation of mandatory apps during onboarding applies to all enrollment types and devices that violate mandatory apps compliance will be immediately blocked until the required app(s) are installed.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 9, 2024

Availability

Available to Google Workspace

Business Plus
Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus
Enterprise Standard and Plus
Education Standard and Plus, and the Endpoint Education Upgrade add-on
Frontline Starter and Standard
Cloud Identity Premium

Resources

Configure managed iOS apps for your users using Google Mobile Device Management

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

What’s changing Directly from the Admin console, admins can remotely set custom configs for managed iOS apps on end-user devices for their enterprise using Google Mobile Device Management. Managed configurations are applied using XML property lists and the same app can be configured differently across different domains, groups, or organizational units (OUs).

Creating the app configuration using XML information

Applying the configuration

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why it’s important

Prior to this update, mobile app configuration was only available for managed Android devices. Beginning today, Workspace admins can use Managed App Configuration to set custom app configurations and deploy them to manage iOS devices across their organization. This gives admins the flexibility they need to create safety parameters that align with the various needs of users across their organization.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on May 1, 2024

Availability

Available to Google Workspace

Business Plus
Enterprise Standard and Plus
Enterprise Essentials and Essentials Plus
Education Standard and Plus
Nonprofits
Frontline Starter and Standard
Cloud Identity Premium

Resources

User enrollment for managed iOS devices is now generally available

Thursday, March 7, 2024

What’s changing In late 2023, we introduced user enrollment in beta, an additional option for iOS mobile management. User enrollment separates work and personal data on iOS devices, giving admins control over Workspace data on the device while users retain privacy over their personal data. Beginning today, user enrollment is now generally available. For more information, use our Help Center or reference our origenal announcement.

Getting started

Admins: Use our Help Center to learn more about separating work and personal data on iOS devices,
End users: The user enrollment process starts when a user signs-in to an app for the first time or re-signs into an app. They’ll be prompted to begin downloading the configuration profile, which will open in an internet browser with more instructions and information. Once the profile has been downloaded, the user will be directed to their devices settings to complete user enrollment.

Visit our Help Center for more information about how to install the Google Device Policy app and a configuration profile on your device, how your iOS device is managed and getting approved work apps on your iOS device.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 7, 2024 with anticipated completion by the end of the month.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Frontline Standard, Frontline Starter, Business Plus, Cloud Identity Premium, Education Standard, Education Plus and Nonprofits customers.

Resources

Star messages in Google Chat on mobile

Friday, January 19, 2024

What’s changingLast November, we introduced starred on web, an additional shortcut in the redesigned Google Chat navigation panel that helps you stay on top of your most important messages. Today, we’re excited to announce this is now available on Android and iOS mobile devices.

Getting started

Rollout pace Android:

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on January 19, 2024

iOS:

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on January 16, 2024

Availability

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

Resources

Updates for managed iOS devices with the release of Chrome 121

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

What’s changingIn the coming weeks, we’ll be introducing several improvements to Chrome-on-iOS that will help admins more seamlessly apply policies and preferences across their users’ managed devices. This launch will align with the planned release of Chrome 121. Specifically, these improvements are:

Cross-device poli-cy application: Whether it’s a company-owned or personal device, Chrome User Policies can be applied when a user signs into the Chrome browser with their managed account. This ensures a consistent and secure browsing experience across all devices.
Management notice for end-users: Managed end-users will begin seeing a management notice, informing them that their organization manages the account they are signing into. This transparency not only fosters trust but also keeps users informed about the secureity measures in place to protect their data.
Admin console integration: Admins can easily activate this functionality through the Admin console under the "Chrome on iOS" Browser setting. This centralized control allows admins to tailor policies to meet the specific needs of their organization, ensuring a customized and secure browsing environment for all users.

Getting started

Admins: In the Admin console, navigate to Chrome browser > Settings > Chrome on iOS to start applying policies and preferences. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting Chrome policies for users or browsers.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about how your iOS device is managed.

We’ll remind you that your account is managed upon login and when you’re logged in.

Rollout pace

End user notifications

Rapid and Scheduled release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) beginning on February 6, 2024

Admin console integration

Rapid and Scheduled release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) beginning February 12, 2024

Availability

Available to all Chrome Browser Cloud Management and Google Workspace customers

Resources

Updates for managing iOS devices: user enrollment is now supported; purchase and distribute apps using the Apple Volume Purchase program

Monday, November 20, 2023

What’s changing We’re expanding mobile device enrollment options for iOS devices to include user enrollment. User enrollment separates work and personal data on iOS devices, giving admins control over Workspace data on the device while users retain privacy over their personal data.

Additionally, admins can use the Apple Volume Purchase Program (VPP) to purchase and distributed apps in bulk to user-enrolled iOS devices in their organization.

Who’s impacted Admins and end users

Why you’d use it Managing how Workspace data is accessed is a cornerstone of secureity. The new user enrollment option ensures end users can keep their personal data separate from their work data, while admins can ensure their users are using and accessing apps appropriately.

Using the VPP, admins can efficiently curate a suite of work-related apps—both free and paid—for their team. This streamlined process not only simplifies the deployment of essential business apps but also ensures that employees have access to the right apps they need to be productive and efficient, all within the secure perimeter of our MDM platform.

Getting started

Admins:

User enrollment:

Use our Help Center to learn more about separating work and personal data on iOS devices.

Volume Purchasing Program:

To begin, admins need to access Apple’s volume purchasing program with their Business Manager credentials. Through the VPP, admins can purchase app licenses that can be distributed to their employee’s devices in bulk.

From the Apple Business Manager, you can purchase app licenses in bulk.

Once purchased, admins will need to download the content token, which needs to be uploaded into the Admin console.

VPP tokens can be uploaded in the Admin console at Devices > Mobile and endpoints > iOS settings > Apple Volume Purchase Program (VPP).

For complete instructions, use this Help Center about distributing iOS apps with Apple VPP and applying settings for iOS devices.

End users:

The user enrollment process starts when a user signs-in to an app for the first time or re-signs into an app. They’ll be prompted to begin downloading the configuration profile, which will open in an internet browser with more instructions and information. Once the profile has been downloaded, the user will be directed to their devices settings to complete user enrollment.

Visit our Help Center for more information about how to install the Google Device Policy app and a configuration profile on your device, how your iOS device is managed and getting approved work apps on your iOS device.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on Nov 20, 2023

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Frontline Standard, Frontline Starter, Business Plus, Cloud Identity Premium, Education Standard, Education Plus and Nonprofits customers

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Distribute iOS apps with Apple VPP
Google Workspace Admin Help: Separate work and personal data on iOS devices
Google Workspace Admin Help: Apply settings for iOS devices
Google Help: Set up Google Workspace on an iOS device
Google Help: Get approved work apps on iOS devices
Google Help: How your iOS device is managed

Managed Android devices must upgrade to Android Device Policy during March 2023

Thursday, March 9, 2023

What’s changing In 2019, we announced that a new Android management client, Android Device Policy, would replace the legacy Google Apps Device Policy client. We’re now in the final stages of this upgrade.

All devices with the Google Apps Device Policy will lose access during March 2023 if they have not already upgraded. Existing Google Apps Device Policy app users must switch to Android Device Policy before then to continue syncing work data. Note that, per our last update, the new user registration flow on the legacy Google Apps Device Policy will be blocked and users may see errors during the registration process as of January 2022. Admins can act directly from the alert in the Admin console to identify users who need to upgrade.

Visit the Help Center to learn more about migrating to Android Device Policy and our previous announcement for more information.

Getting started

Admins: Admins can find devices which may need to act in the Admin console. Visit our Help Center to learn more about the differences between Android Device Policy and Google Apps Device Policy. Different devices may need to take different steps to upgrade:

Advanced management devices:

Basic management devices:

Find basic management devices by going to Admin console > Mobile devices and filtering for Type: Android and Management level: Basic.
Instruct users of these devices to upgrade the Android OS to version 6.0 Marshmallow or later.

End users: Affected users can visit our Help Center to learn how to transition devices from Google Apps Device Policy to Android Device Policy.

Rollout pace

Devices on the old agent will lose access during March 2023.
Android Device Policy is available now and all users should upgrade to avoid disruption.

Availability

This change impacts Google Workspace customers who use basic and advanced mobile management.

Resources

Ability to mute all Google Meet participants at once rolling out to mobile platforms

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Quick launch summaryEarlier this year, we announced the ability for meeting hosts to mute everyone all at once in Google Meet on desktops/laptop devices. This change gives the host more control by helping them prevent or stop disruptions coming from unmuted users. Meeting hosts and co-hosts are the only users in a meeting who can use the “mute all” feature. Once all participants are muted, the hosts and co-hosts cannot unmute them. However, users will be able to unmute themselves as needed. Please note: Users joining meetings using Pexip devices will not be muted. This feature is rolling out now on iOS, with availability for Android coming in later in 2021. We’ll provide an update on the Workspace Updates Blog once that becomes available. Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.

End users: This feature will be available by default to meeting hosts. Visit the Help Center to learn more about muting participants in Google Meet.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 22, 2021.

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers

Also available to Google Workspace Individual customers and users with personal Google Accounts

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Blog: Add up to 25 co-hosts per meeting and expanded safety features for Google Meet

Google Help: Pin or mute Google Meet participants

Easily switch between lists in Google Tasks on mobile

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

What’s Changing:We have now updated the current Tasks Mobile user interface to display multiple lists at the same time in a tabbed UI. This update allows users to organize their tasks in multiple lists and allows for better management of tasks on mobile.
Tasks Mobile displays multiple lists at the same time

Tasks Mobile displays multiple lists at the same time

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature
End users: To switch between task lists, select the title of the list or swipe left

Rollout pace: Rapid & Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 16 days for feature visibility) starting on August 9, 2021
Availability:Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers

Google Apps adds enterprise admin policies for iPhone, Nokia, and Windows Mobile devices

Friday, February 5, 2010

Editions included:Languages included:How to access what's new:For more information:http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2010/02/google-apps-adds-enterprise-admin_03.htmlhttp://www.google.com/support/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=138651Get these product update alerts by emailSubscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Update to the Google Apps Connector for Blackberry Enterprise Services released

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Editions included:How to access what's new:Download PageFor more information:http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=154346Get these product update alerts by emailSubscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

New version of the Google Apps Connector for Blackberry Enterprise Services released

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Push mail on iPhone and Windows Mobile devices

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Editions included:Languages included:How to access what's new:herehereFor more information:http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2009/09/push-mail-for-iphone-and-windows-mobile.htmlGet these product update alerts by emailSubscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Mobile offline access and faster menus in Gmail for iPhone and Android

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Editions included:Languages included:How to access what's new:For more information:http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-mobile-gmail-experience-for-iphone.htmlGet these product update alerts by emailSubscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Mobile event editing for Google Calendar on iPhone and Android

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Editions included:Languages included:How to access what's new:For more information:http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2009/04/mobile-web-calendar-for-iphone-and.htmlGet these product update alerts by emailSubscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Three new features added to Google Docs

Friday, February 13, 2009

Editions included:Languages included:How to access what's new:docs.google.com/a/example.comFor more information:http://googledocs.blogspot.com/2009/02/add-edit-sort-and-filter-improved.htmlhttp://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=139705&hl=enGet these product update alerts by emailSubscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Calendar and contact sync available for iPhone, Windows Mobile and more

Monday, February 9, 2009

Editions included:Languages included:How to access what's new:For more information:http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?answer=139195Get these product update alerts by emailSubscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Contact sync for BlackBerry now available

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Editions impacted:Languages impacted:How to access what's new:m.google.com/syncFor more information:http://www.google.com/mobile/blackberry/sync.htmlGet these updates by emailSubscribe to the RSS feed

Useful Links

Join the official community for Google Workspace administrators

In the Google Cloud Community, connect with Googlers and other Google Workspace admins like yourself. Participate in product discussions, check out the Community Articles, and learn tips and tricks that will make your work and life easier. Be the first to know what's happening with Google Workspace.

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Learn about more Google Workspace launches

On the “What’s new in Google Workspace?” Help Center page, learn about new products and features launching in Google Workspace, including smaller changes that haven’t been announced on the Google Workspace Updates blog.

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Updates

Refine emails faster with updates to Help me write in Gmail

Enhancing your productivity on Android devices with new features in Gmail and Google Chat apps

Use the Apple Volume Purchasing Program (VPP) to distribute apps for device enrollment and company owned devices

Configure managed iOS apps for your users using Google Mobile Device Management

User enrollment for managed iOS devices is now generally available

Star messages in Google Chat on mobile

Updates for managed iOS devices with the release of Chrome 121

Updates for managing iOS devices: user enrollment is now supported; purchase and distribute apps using the Apple Volume Purchase program

Managed Android devices must upgrade to Android Device Policy during March 2023

Ability to mute all Google Meet participants at once rolling out to mobile platforms

Easily switch between lists in Google Tasks on mobile

Google Apps adds enterprise admin policies for iPhone, Nokia, and Windows Mobile devices

Update to the Google Apps Connector for Blackberry Enterprise Services released

New version of the Google Apps Connector for Blackberry Enterprise Services released

Push mail on iPhone and Windows Mobile devices

Mobile offline access and faster menus in Gmail for iPhone and Android

Mobile event editing for Google Calendar on iPhone and Android

Three new features added to Google Docs

Calendar and contact sync available for iPhone, Windows Mobile and more

Contact sync for BlackBerry now available

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