Google Workspace is announcing new features to improve the office, hybrid, and remote team communications, including end-to-end encryption on Google Meet.
In May, Google Meet will have optional client-side encryption, giving customers direct control of the identity provider and encryption keys. Later in the year, Google will add optional end-to-end encryption for all meetings.
Google Workspace will also be adding in-meeting reactions, Meet directly to Docs, Sheets, and Slides, picture-in-picture, and automatic noise cancellation on all Google Meet hardware.
The list of new features continues with Google Personal video tile from Companion mode, livestream attendees will be able to participate in Q&A polls, streaming meetings directly to YouTube, and several upgrades to Spaces and Google Voice.
Dave Citron, Director of Product for Google Meet, Meet Hardware, Google Duo, Google Voice, Jamboard, & WebRTC, said in a press briefing: “Since 2020, it’s become increasingly clear that human connection is crucial.”
“We know we need solutions that help people build connections that can bridge the gap between physical spaces and the somewhere else.”
“This update will work towards making those in physical space have the same experience as those who are working remotely.”
New Feature Highlights:
End-To-End Encryption: Adding the option of end-to-end encryption on Google Meet, among other upgrades, could be a sign Google is competing harder with the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Zoom added end-to-end encryption to all its account types in October 2020.
Client-Side Encryption: Google Meet will include optional client-side encryption from May. Customers will gain control of encryption keys and the identity provider necessary to access the keys.
Meet directly to Docs, Sheets, and Slides: Teams will be able to move their meeting into a document, spreadsheet or presentation, allowing for a smoother collaboration experience.
Automatic Noise Cancellation: Google Meet Series One will use TrueVoice technology to enhance speech and suppress noise on all Google Meet hardware, including Logitech, Acer and Asus.
Streaming Meetings to YouTube: Later in the year, meetings will be able to be streamed directly onto YouTube. Google’s integration with YouTube means you can also use your Google account for authentication.
Spaces Upgrades: Changes to Spaces will include inline threading to initiate and organise conversations, improvements to search functions, and team size limits increasing to 25,000 by the end of the year.
Google Voice: SIP link is being introduced to enable customers to use Google Voice through certified session border controllers from Audiocodes, Cisco, Oracle, and Ribbon. On-demand call recording will also be available for Google Voice Standard and Premier subscribers.
Google Workspace is a suite of business tools and productivity apps such as Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Meet, Slides, Sheets, and more.
It has undergone a few transformations over the years, beginning as Google Apps in 2006, then rebranding to G Suite in 2016, and finally becoming Google Workspace a few years later.
Last year, Google Workspace Essentials was introduced as a cloud plan for business users, with an emphasis on communication and collaboration tools.
