Accept or reject external guest requests to join Hangouts video calls with the Hangouts iOS app

Accept or reject external guest requests to join Hangouts video calls with the Hangouts iOS app Posted: 30 Jun 2015 07:36 AM PDT We recently completed the cross-platform rollout of a feature allowing Google Apps customers to share links to Hangouts video calls so that external meeting guests may request to join if not explicitly invited. Previously, video calls shared with the link required someone in the Apps domain of the Hangout video call to accept those requesting access on the web. With today’s launch, we’ve enabled this accept or reject functionality in the latest version of the Hangouts iOS app. To accept or reject a request to join a video call on your mobile device, tap the ‘Accept’ or ‘Decline’ button in the pop-up screen that appears when a guest is requesting to join. This functionality is coming soon to the Hangouts Android app. Release track: Rapid release and Scheduled release

Publish Google Sheets spreadsheets in five additional formats

Publish Google Sheets spreadsheets in five additional formats

Posted: 29 Jun 2015 04:10 PM PDT

In Google Sheets on the web, if a person wants to make a spreadsheet available for a large audience to see, they can publish the file as a web page. Once that file is published, the person receives a URL that can be sent to whomever they choose or embedded into a website. Today’s launch allows people to publish spreadsheets in five additional formats—as comma-separated values (.csv), tab-separated values (.tsv), a PDF document (.pdf), a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet (.xlsx), or an OpenDocument spreadsheet (.ods). The URL generated, when opened in a browser, will automatically download the spreadsheet in the chosen format (spreadsheets in these additional formats cannot be embedded).

Try out this new feature in Google Sheets on the web today.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

Downloading, sending, and sharing improvements with the latest version of the Google Drive app for Android Posted: 25 Jun 2015 12:36 PM PDT A new version of the Google Drive app for Android is coming to Google Play over the next week. New features include:  Ability to download multiple files in the background at the same time  Ability to use the "Send File" feature on more than one file at a time  New and improved sharing UI when adding people to a file and reviewing who has access  View file thumbnails in the details pane for folders  Ability to report abuse cases in Settings Release track: Rapid release and Scheduled release (gradual rollout)

Downloading, sending, and sharing improvements with the latest version of the Google Drive app for Android

Posted: 25 Jun 2015 12:36 PM PDT

A new version of the Google Drive app for Android is coming to Google Play over the next week. New features include:

§ Ability to download multiple files in the background at the same time

§ Ability to use the "Send File" feature on more than one file at a time

§ New and improved sharing UI when adding people to a file and reviewing who has access

§ View file thumbnails in the details pane for folders

§ Ability to report abuse cases in Settings

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release (gradual rollout)

An additional row of apps and customization coming to the App Launcher

An additional row of apps and customization coming to the App Launcher

Posted: 25 Jun 2015 07:16 AM PDT

In January, we added Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides to the first screen of the App Launcher. Based on your feedback, we will be adding an extra row of apps to that first screen. This fourth row of icons will launch to Google Apps customers on July 6th. The exact combination of apps featured will vary depending on product availability in a person’s country. 

In the coming weeks, we’ll also make it possible for Google Apps customers to customize the App Launcher by moving icons between rows and screens. This will allow for easier access to frequently used apps. Stay tuned for more details.

Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release domains on July 6th

Google Drive event attachments, 7-day week view and more for the Google Calendar app for iPhone

Google Drive event attachments, 7-day week view and more for the Google Calendar app for iPhone

Posted: 23 Jun 2015 12:54 PM PDT

In March we announced the Google Calendar app for iPhone, and today we’re adding lots of improvements based on your feedback―with more on the horizon:

§ See more events at a glance with 7-day week view

§ Add Google Drive files to events (for domains with Drive enabled)

§ Drive will check if all event invitees have access to the files and if not, ask you if you'd like to add them

§ Directly email guests or open a map from an event notification

§ Option to show week numbers in Settings

You’ll also notice that access to all available views (Schedule, Day, 3 Day, Week) has been moved from the overflow menu into the navigation drawer.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

Event attachment improvements for Google Calendar web and API Posted: 23 Jun 2015 12:33 PM PDT Event attachments allow people using Google Calendar to attach meeting notes, presentations, or any other relevant files from Google Drive to events and make them available for all event attendees. Previously a Calendar Labs feature, event attachments are now fully launching in Google Calendar web by default with today’s rollout. The ‘Add attachment’ link will appear in all Google Calendar events moving forward, except for those domains whose admins have disabled Google Drive. Drive will also start checking if all event invitees have access to attached files―and if not, ask if you'd like to grant them access―saving the hassle of sharing each attached document with every attendee. In addition, developers can now add Drive files to Google Calendar events created through the Calendar API. Release track: Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in two weeks

Event attachment improvements for Google Calendar web and API

Posted: 23 Jun 2015 12:33 PM PDT

Event attachments allow people using Google Calendar to attach meeting notes, presentations, or any other relevant files from Google Drive to events and make them available for all event attendees.

Previously a Calendar Labs feature, event attachments are now fully launching in Google Calendar web by default with today’s rollout. The ‘Add attachment’ link will appear in all Google Calendar events moving forward, except for those domains whose admins have disabled Google Drive.

Drive will also start checking if all event invitees have access to attached files―and if not, ask if you'd like to grant them access―saving the hassle of sharing each attached document with every attendee.

In addition, developers can now add Drive files to Google Calendar events created through the Calendar API.

Release track:
Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in two weeks

Undo Send for Gmail on the web

Undo Send for Gmail on the web

Posted: 22 Jun 2015 06:40 PM PDT

Previously a popular feature in Gmail Labs, and recently added to Inbox by Gmail, today we’re adding 'Undo Send' as a formal setting in Gmail on the web.

'Undo Send' allows people using Gmail to cancel a sent mail if they have second thoughts immediately after sending. The feature is turned off by default for those not currently using the Labs version, and can be enabled from the General tab in Gmail settings.

People currently using the Labs version of 'Undo Send' will have the setting turned on by default at launch.

Release track:
Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in two weeks

More image types now supported during conversion in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

More image types now supported during conversion in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Posted: 22 Jun 2015 11:38 AM PDT

Converting a file to Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides allows a person to edit, collaborate on, and share the file online. When converting Microsoft® Office files, the following common image types remain readable: JPEG, PNG, EMF, and WMF. Starting today, larger images, images in less common formats (like TIFF), and images with non-RGB color profiles (like CMYK), can also be imported to and exported from the Google Docs editors on the web successfully. Check out the Help Center for more information on converting files in Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

Insert images into Google Sheets when offline

Insert images into Google Sheets when offline

Posted: 16 Jun 2015 08:45 AM PDT

We’re making it easier for your employees to work on the go—and without Internet access—in Google Sheets on the web. With this launch, people can now insert images into Sheets even when they’re not online, provided they’re working in Chrome and have turned on offline access. Those images will be synced once the person gets back online. Try it out in Google Sheets today.

Release track:

Scheduled release and Rapid release

Google Slides now supports Chromecast and AirPlay

Google Slides now supports Chromecast and AirPlay

Posted: 11 Jun 2015 12:26 PM PDT

Today’s update to the Google Slides app makes it even easier to share presentations on big screens. With just your phone or tablet and the Google Slides app, you can present easily to any screen with Chromecast or AirPlay.



When you’re presenting on the big screen, you can use your smaller screen to advance slides, view speaker notes and stay on track with a timer. This way you can focus more on telling your story and engaging your audience, instead of on logistics.

Check out the Help Center for more information.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

Full-view screen sharing for Google Hangouts

Full-view screen sharing for Google Hangouts Posted: 11 Jun 2015 01:14 PM PDT For a richer experience when presenting screen-shared content, today we’re launching full-view screen sharing for Google Hangouts. Moving forward, when people using Hangouts present to meeting participants in ‘Present to everyone’ mode─or another participant pins someone who is screen-sharing─Hangouts participants will see two changes to the user interface: § The screen shared content will use as much visible area of the screen as possible. The thumbnail photos of meeting attendees will overlay the content at the bottom of the screen by default. § A new button will be added to the control bar at the top to allow participants to hide the thumbnail photos of meeting attendees as desired. Check out the Help Center for more information. Release track: Rapid release and Scheduled release

Security improvements for Microsoft and Yahoo accounts in the Gmail app for Android

Security improvements for Microsoft and Yahoo accounts in the Gmail app for Android

Posted: 10 Jun 2015 01:45 PM PDT

We’re always working to make the Gmail app experience safer, including when people use non-Gmail email addresses. As part of that effort, today we’re launching Oauth support for all Yahoo and Microsoft accounts in the Gmail app for Android. By authenticating these non-Gmail accounts directly with Yahoo and Microsoft, the Gmail app for Android will allow individuals with Yahoo and Microsoft accounts to take advantage of security features like two-step verification and account recovery. Check it out now—download the latest version of the Gmail app for Android on Google Play.

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release (gradual rollout)

Export non-Latin text from Google Docs on desktop to Microsoft Word

Export non-Latin text from Google Docs on desktop to Microsoft Word

Posted: 08 Jun 2015 01:26 PM PDT

Many modern companies have employees, customers, and business partners across the globe, working in a multitude of languages. Many of those languages, including Hindi and Mandarin, are written in non-Latin scripts. Previously, when a document was created in Google Docs and included non-Latin text, it could not be exported to Microsoft Word properly—the non-Latin content would show up illegible. With today’s launch, documents written in the following non-Latin scripts will remain readable when exported from Google Docs on desktop to Microsoft Word:

§ Armenian

§ Bengali

§ Devanagari

§ Ethiopic

§ Gujarati

§ Gurmukhi

§ Kannada

§ Khmer

§ Malayalam

§ Oriya

§ Sinhala

§ Syriac

§ Tamil

§ Telugu

§ Thaana

§ Tibetan

The 16 scripts above serve as the writing systems for more than 25 languages, so working with your international counterparts will now be easier and more efficient. 

In addition to these new scripts, we will now support several new unicode blocks, including Arrows, Bopomofo, various Hangul jamos and other CJK symbols and radicals, mathematical operators, and more.

Release track:

Rapid release and Scheduled release

Are You App Smashing?

New devices, like the Apple Watch, bring even more apps into the picture!

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT
On their phones, tablets, and other devices, students today have access to some pretty amazing apps! In schools, many students are using Chrome apps and extensions on their Chromebooks and iOS and Android apps on tablets. All of these apps make it possible for students to consume,curate, and create digital information in new and exciting ways.

As various apps find their way into more and more classrooms and are used by students and teachers for longer periods of time, we are noticing that the apps are often developed with certain functions in mind, and students and teachers need to use more than one app to accomplish the types of complex learning and problem-solving tasks that we want to do. Many students and teachers, therefore, are engaging in a practice known as “app smashing.”

WHAT IS APP SMASHING?
App smashing, using more than one app in order to complete a desired task, is explained by Greg Kulowiec (@gregkulowiec) in this blog post from 2013 when he first used the term:  http://kulowiectech.blogspot.com/2013/02/app-smashing-part-i.html. Recently, Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher) interviewed Kulowiec for her radio program, Every Classroom Matters, and in the interview they discuss the origin of the term and examples of app smashing, and how more and more teachers are exploring the options of using multiple apps together: http://goo.gl/gZyogc.

I like to think that the practice of app smashing is a lot like building a house. We don’t just use a hammer to build a house. We don’t just use a saw. We don’t just use one nail. Many different tools are evaluated so that the best ones are selected and then used in conjunction with one another in order to build a house. This is absolutely true in education as well. We can never rely entirely on just one resource, one application, or one piece of equipment. Instead, we plan instruction around using the most appropriate tools we have available to us, in the right combinations, in order to complete the tasks we set out to do. Just like building a house.

#YOUVEBEENAPPSMASHED
Seeing examples of content that others have created is a great way to learn about new apps, get inspired, and try new things, and students and teachers who have already combined multiple apps are happy to share out their work. Sunny Richardson (@SunnyJune77), Mccright (@mccright), and Dan Gallagher (@Gallagher_Tech) have collaborated on a special challenge to get other educators app smashing and to share out their creations called “You’ve Been AppSmashed!”

“This challenge is designed around 5 weeks. Each week you will be creating a final product, sometimes you will be able to choose the apps, other times the apps will be chosen by chance. At the end of the challenge, each successful finisher will receive a badge.”

Information about each of the individual challenges and how to submit the final creations is available here: https://tackk.com/audsuu. More information and examples of final products can be found by following the Twitter hashtag:#YOUVEBEENAPPSMASHED.

Consider yourself officially app smashed!

(This post originally appeared on Today In School as "We App Smash.") 

New UI, faster syncing and more with the latest version of the Google Drive app for iOS

New UI, faster syncing and more with the latest version of the Google Drive app for iOS

Posted: 03 Jun 2015 10:26 AM PDT

A new version of the Google Drive app for iOS is now available in the App Store. New features include:

§ New material design

§ Faster syncing with Google Drive web

§ Improvements to image viewing and scrolling (people no longer need to tap “Load more”)

§ Swipe gesture to go back

Release track:
Rapid release and Scheduled release

If You Give a Kid a Chromebook

If You Give a Kid a Chromebook

Back in September, members of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Google Team: Laura Agnella (@lagnella), Melissa Morris (@mmorriswrites), Dan Gallagher (@gallagher_tech) and I (@iruntech) visited the Google office in New York City for an amazing day of learning and connecting.

While navigating the city streets in search of lunch, we talked excitedly about the potential for our 1:1 Chromebook initiative in 5th and 6th grade. In a flash of inspiration I said, “We could write a story based on If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, but instead we’ll call it, If You Give a Kid a Chromebook!”  This was met with great enthusiasm.  We discussed our own ideas and gave examples.  Then, the idea lay forgotten and dormant, like a seed, waiting for the right time to blossom.  After a full school year, that time has come.  Your teachers have helped you explore, supported, fed, and nurtured your growth in the 1:1 program; and your collective creativity astounds me.

Therefore, I challenge you to create your own version of If You Give a Kid a Chromebook.  Be creative!  Don’t limit yourself to the Google Apps for Education, like Slides or Docs.  Use a tool you learned from your teachers or on your own. Maybe you’ll use Glogster or iMovie or WeVideo.  Perhaps you’ll create a Thinglink or something in Haiku Deck.  Or, you might try to app smash and bring several tools together to make something truly spectacular.  You’re only limited by your creativity!

Here are some guidelines:

1. You must use the original story to guide your own story. Be sure to use the words “kid” and “Chromebook” instead of “mouse” and “cookie.”
2. This is an individual project, students should create it on their own
3. If you’re not sure about something, e-mail the teacher who assigned this project or e-mail Mrs. Lindes.

Listen to the story on YouTube

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie - Text