GSuite is Now Google Workspace with Deeper Integration of Productivity Apps
Oct. 6, 2020Google has today announced a major rebranding to its enterprise-focused set of apps includingGmail, Calendar,Drive,Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet. The company ismoving away from the ‘GSuite’ name to a rather generic ‘Google Workspace’ branding.
With Google Workspace,Google is deeply integrating its products to work better together, thereby creating a unified experience. To achieve this, the company is nowrolling out Gmail’s integration with Chats, Docs, and Rooms for all paid customers. The integration was firstannounced at the Google Cloud Next ’20: OnAir event.
Thanks to the tight integration, you can preview linked files in Docs, Sheets, and Slides without having to open a new tab. This will be convenient for many users and will save time spent on opening multiple tabs.Image: Google
Gmail’s integration with other Google services is not restricted to Workspace. Google says it will bring this new experience to consumers in the coming months. The companyalready offers Google Meet on Gmailfor consumers.
Speaking of Google Meet on Gmail, the company is planning to bringpicture-in-picture support for Google Meet to Docs, Sheets, and Slidesin the coming months. Meet picture-in-picture is also available in Gmail and Chat.Image: Google
The company is also improving the guest access feature alongside this rebranding. In the coming weeks, users will be able tocollaborate with guests on documents in Chat rooms. This way, users can easily work together with people outside their organization while keeping everyone involved in the loop. Moreover, Google Workspace will show a ‘smart chip’ consisting of contact details and suggested actions when someone outside your organization mentions you in a document.Image: Google
As far as the pricing of Google Workspace is concerned, there are minor changes. The company is adding anew Business Plus plan that costs $18 per user(Rs.1260 per month). This new plan brings enhanced security and management controls, including Vault and advanced endpoint management.
Lastly, Google is refreshing the logo ofGmail, Drive, Calendar, Meet, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The icons are more colorful and will roll out in the coming weeks. With all these new changes, Google is all set to be a compelling option to attract users from competing services likeMicrosoft Office.
Subin writes about consumer tech, software, and security. He secretly misses the headphone jack while pretending he’s better off with the wireless freedom.
