A Recap of Google's Changes in July 2014

Here is a recap of the changes Google has implemented in July: What's New

Redesigned Google Drive

Google Drive has a brand-new look and there are a lot of changes to absorb. Most of these changes are design improvements, but Google has also added some new functions.

New Suggested Edits in Google Docs

Now in Google Docs, any person with "can comment" access to a document will be able to make suggested edits to the document. This is a great new addition to Google Docs!

New 'Move to Trash' option in Google Drive

Owners of a Google document, spreadsheet, or presentation are now able to move it to the trash from within its own File menu, rather than needing to do so from the Drive home page. Editors and viewers will see the 'Move to trash' option in the File menu, but it will be inactive and greyed out.

Why is Google asking for my phone number?

On certain occasions once you log in to your Google account, you might be asked to provide your telephone or cell phone number. This is a legitimate request from Google.

New Google Spreadsheets

Google recently released one of their largest updates ever to Google Spreadsheets. It’s faster, supports larger spreadsheets, has a number of new features, and works offline! The new Google Spreadsheets are now available in the UCSC Google domain.

Google Docs Just Got Better with Add-Ons

Last month, Google announced one of the biggest updates to Google Drive Docs and Sheets. The new Add-ons feature for Docs and Sheets makes it really easy to bring some advanced functionality, or just some missing features, to your Drive files.

Google+ Hangouts in Google Calendar

You can add a Hangout to any Google Calendar event with just one click! Guests you invite will be able to join the video call by clicking on the calendar event and selecting the "Join video call" link. 

Google Docs Phishing Scam Alert

Please be advised of an email phishing scam targeting Google Docs and Drive users. 

Google Statement on Privacy and Security in Google Apps

There has been a few stories in the industry press recently, attempting to prove, incorrectly, that Google doesn’t honor it’s commitment to provide Apps for Education customers with an advertisement free and secure service. Google has now written a simple and clear statement on the security/privacy protections built in to Google Apps for Education. It's worth a read...

Remove Formatting of Text in Gmail and Google Drive

The Remove Formatting button can save you tons of time when copying / pasting text into your email message in Gmail or into a Google Doc in Drive.

New Activity Stream in Drive Shows you What's Changed

Google Drive makes editing a document easier because everyone can share files and work together - in real time. But in Drive, it’s tough to track all the changes to your shared files. So effective immediately, you’ll notice a new activity stream in Drive – a single, easy-to-view place to review every action taken on your files and folders.

Change to the UCSC Google Sign-In Page

On Jan. 20, 2014 Google is changing the UCSC Google sign in page. The new sign-in page will have a consistent look across all the Google Apps services for everyone.

Auto-Reply Now in Google Groups

Google Groups now has an Auto-Reply feature! If you're the creator or owner/manager of a Google Group, the auto-reply feature allows you to create up to four different, customized auto-responses for different recipients: 

Calendar Events that Update when Google Groups Change

This is a great new feature Google rolled out to our UCSC domain last week! When you join, invite someone to join, or directly add them to a Google Group, that person will automatically be added to all of the Group's meetings in Google Calendar. 

Gmail Attachments Have the Power of Google Drive

You’re probably used to downloading email attachments, but each of those files takes time to download, eats up space on your device, and can get buried deep inside your “Downloads” folder.

New Way to Navigate to Google Apps

Google has rolled out a new version of the Google bar (top black banner) for Google Apps for Education accounts.

Google Terms of Service Changes

Google is updating their Terms of Service effective November 11, 2013. These changes do not impact the Google Core Services at UCSC.

More On Gmail's Delivery Delays

Some of you probably didn't even notice, but Google had a substantial problem delivering email messages on Monday, Sept. 23. Read all about it. Remember to always check the ITS website (its.ucsc.edu) for the latest Google and other service outage/status information under News & Alerts.

Google Open Labs Fall/Winter Schedule

Google Open Labs are available to faculty, staff, and students to drop in and get personal help with Google services. Labs are open two days per month from 1:30 to 3:30 at Kerr Hall 159 and 2300 Delaware 279.

5 Exciting Gmail and Google Drive Updates

It's hard to keep up with every single change Google makes to their products since they release hundreds of updates every year. I try to highlight the "big" updates in this blog specific to UCSC, but here are 5 exciting "little" updates worth mentioning that took place this summer to Gmail and Google Drive.

New Google + Hangouts is Now Available

The new Google+ Hangouts is now available to UCSC. The new Hangouts unifies chats, audio calls, and video meetings across all of your devices. Whether you’re in Gmail, on the desktop, Android phones, tablets, iPhone, iPad or using a Chrome extension, you won't miss a thing because all your Hangouts are synchronized. You can start a Hangout on your phone, and pick it up in Gmail right where you left off!

Tips & Tricks for Google Spreadsheets

Want to learn some tips and tricks for Google Spreadsheets from the Google experts? View 30 minute video here. 

New Gmail Inbox

We get a lot of different types of email: messages from our boss, co-workers and friends, social notifications, deals and offers, confirmations and receipts, and more. All of these emails can compete for our attention and make it harder to focus on the things we need to get done. Sometimes it feels like our inboxes are controlling us, rather than the other way around. 

New Storage Limits between Drive and Gmail

Your UCSC Google account now has 30 GB of unified storage to use as you like between Drive and Gmail. Just as before, files created in Docs, Sheets and Slides don't count against your storage quota. Storage will also be shared with photos you upload to Google+ larger than 2048px.