Google has made three updates and releases available that positively impact our use of G-Suite at our organization. The three items are:

  • New Quick Settings Button Update
  • New Google Groups Release
  • Shared Drives Embedded Folder Sharing (Beta)

For an outline of these changes, see below.

New Quick Settings Button Update

Google is adding a quick settings menu that helps you quickly find and use different layouts, settings, and themes to make Gmail look and feel right.

When pressing the Settings (gear) button, you’ll now see different interfaces, inbox types, and display options alongside your real inbox. When an option is selected, the inbox updates right away so you can compare choices and see how settings work in real-time.

The full settings menu is still available by clicking the “See all settings” button at the top of the new quick-setting menu.

Availability: Gradual rollout up to 15 days for feature visibility starting on May 26, 2020.

For additional information consult the G Suite Updates Blog post about New Gmail Quick Settings.

New Google Groups

Google has created a more efficient, streamlined UI, making it easier for users to create and manage Google Groups. It includes the most used features from the classic interface, along with:

  • Read group conversations and write messages
  • Consolidated settings for improved navigation
  • Quick, simplified group creation
  • New filtering and search options to help you find content quickly
  • Improved group member management and more

You will have the option to go back to classic Groups by clicking the gear icon and select “Return to classic Groups.” To revert back to the New Groups release, click the “Visit New Groups” button in the upper left corner.

Availability: Gradual rollout up to 15 days for feature visibility starting on June 9, 2020.

For additional information, consult the G Suite Updates Blog post about New Google Groups. 

Shared Drives Embedded Folder Sharing (Beta)

Google shared drives are a powerful way to empower teams and organizations to store, access, and collaborate on files. Currently, all permissions get set at the shared drive level or the individual file level, and it is not possible to share specific folders within a shared drive. Google is launching a new beta program that allows share drive managers to share folders in shared drives.

Availability: This feature is listed as an upcoming G Suite release, June 8, 2020, at the earliest.

For additional information, consult the G Suit Updates blog post about Shared Drives Embedded Folder Sharing.

Questions?

Contact the IT Services Catalog at (805) 893-5000 (x5000) or at ithelp.ucsb.edu.