Google is rebranding G Suite to Google Workspace in a move that largely echoes the growing work from anywhere culture that surged in popularity in 2020. Key to Google’s new strategy is building on Gmail’s new rainbow of chat, voice and video calling, and content management features. It calls this the better home for work, and it’s now generally available to all paying Workspace customers.
#GoogleWorkspace embodies our vision for a future where work is more flexible, time is more precious, and enabling stronger human connections becomes even more important. https://t.co/WIA1vogQ4c pic.twitter.com/Xg6AhzJ9if
— Google Workspace (@GoogleWorkspace) October 6, 2020
Also incoming is better Chat room collaboration. Google says users and guests will be able to create documents within Chat rooms in the coming weeks. This feature should breed better collaboration between those in an organization and outsiders without sacrificing security or the hassle of setting up meetings.
Other tweaks are meant to help users spend as little time working as possible. Linked files in Docs, Sheets, and Slides can now be previewed in a pop-up while more verbose user @mention chips in text will detail contact details and context-specific actions. Google promises more tweaks will be made to Workspace’s bevy of apps in the coming months.
Beyond tangible benefits for consumers, Google is also recognizing the launch of Workspace as a chance to unify its properties’ icons. The likes of Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Meet will receive new icons using the company’s four-color scheme. Other apps, like Docs and Sheets, will receive a similar treatment too.