Google has announced yesterday that it will be providing free access to Workspace to everyone who has created a Google account. Google Workspace includes a powerful Integration Gmail, Docs (Word Processor), Sheets (Spreadsheet), Slides (Presentations), Meet (Video & Audio calls), and Chat (Hangouts).
The Google Workspace was introduced in October 2020 and was available only to paid users. However, the Google Blog reported changes in Workspace services to facilitate this feature with every Google account created. Google claims to have 3 billion-plus users who will now be able to use and access all the Google Workspace Collaboration Tools and that too, free of cost.
- Google Workspace was previously known as G Suite
- Google Hangouts is now rechristened as Google Chat.
- Google Rooms will change over to Google Spaces.
All of Google’s office tools will receive updates soon that will soon be able to integrate better within Workspace for all users. These features are live and kicking currently for the paid users of Workspace and will be soon available to all Gmail users. The paid features which will now be offered for free will allow users to share and track content like videos and images of events and trips. Other features include @-mentions in Gmail, Calendar, and other services for all its users. Also, Smart Canvas support will be included in Google Docs which will be compatible with Meet for swift and easy presentations.
Once the Google Workspace is integrated with all Google Accounts, users will be able to connect, organize and achieve more together. This can include activities like planning family reunions, promoting a cause, or providing the next steps for PTA, etc. This was confirmed on Google Blogs by Kelly Waldher, VP Marketing for Google Workspace, and Aparna Pappu, VP Engineering for Google Workspace.
Another exciting feature is the Workspace Individual (Paid feature @ $10/month approx) that will include more upgraded features like Professional Video Meetings, Personalized Email marketing, and Smart Booking Services. Google Workspace Individual will roll out in six countries for now namely, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and Australia.
To turn on the Google Workspace Feature at $0 cost, users can head to their Gmail Inbox and access the Google Chat features. You will also find a new option labelled as Rooms which is a useful collaboration feature that was available to paid users until now. This feature will soon be rechristened as Spaces and feature presence indications, in-line topic threading, expressive reactions, and custom status. Updates in Spaces will arrive gradually over two months.
It might seem that the Google Productivity Tools are being reoffered with a new wrapper but Google claims that the integrations between these apps will be better. Let’s wait and see how it turns out.
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