On October 1, Google will integrate the Gmail, Chat, Rooms, and Meet apps together into one page on Gmail.com and in the iOS and Android apps.

• Gmail: The same email experience you know.
• Chat: Message individuals and small groups directly (Chat will replace the current Hangouts app).
• Rooms: Collaboration spaces for groups and teams.
• Meet: Create video meetings and see all upcoming video meetings.

You can access Chat and Meet directly if you prefer to use these tools as stand-alone services.

Google has also introduced new features to help simplify your work inside the new interface. You can now:

• Edit your shared Docs and assign group tasks in Rooms.
• Set your availability to ‘Do not disturb’ to help you focus on your task at hand.
• Search across email and chat messages.

To learn more about the new integrated Gmail, please visit the Google Workspace Learning Center.

Google Calendar added additional editable event fields directly into the pop-up dialog box when you create a new event, including:

• Guest permissions: Grant guests permission to see the guest list, invite others, or edit an event.
• Description and attachments: Add an event description along with attachments from your computer or Google Drive.
• Event visibility and notification: Choose an event color, customize notifications, set free/busy, and change an event’s visibility.

With these changes, you will be able to add all the necessary information to your event within the pop-up dialog box, without needing to click on More options, saving you time when creating an event.

To learn more about Google Calendar, please visit the G Suite Learning Center.

To help support the transition to virtual learning, Google temporarily offered certain premium features free to all users. On October 1, Google will revert these Google Meet premium features back to the standard level for all Gmail accounts.

• The maximum number of Meet participants will revert back to 100 (the limit was temporarily increased to 250.)
• Live streaming for up to 10,000 viewers will no longer be available.
• Later this year, Google will also change the retention for recorded Meet sessions from being permanently available to expiring after 30 days. We will provide more information on this change when it is available.

To learn more about Google Meet, please visit the G Suite Learning Center.