Google Workspace, Chat now open to all for seamless hybrid work

Google on Monday announced that its integrated communication and collaboration service Workspace is now available to everyone with a Google account.

The company’s 3 billion-plus existing users across consumer, enterprise, and education have access to the full Google Workspace experience, including Gmail, Chat, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Meet and more.

In addition to Google Workspace, the tech giant announced new innovations that address the specific challenges and opportunities of the hybrid work world.

“Our focus is on delivering consumers, workers, teachers and students alike an equitable approach to collaboration, while still providing flexibility that allows these different subsets of users to take their own approach to communication and collaboration,” said Javier Soltero, VP and GM, Google Workspace.

Starting from Monday, users can enable the integrated experience in Google Workspace by turning on Google Chat in Gmail.

Google also launched a subscription offer called ‘Workspace Individual’ to help business owners grow, run, and protect their business.

This new subscription offering provides premium capabilities, including smart booking services, professional video meetings and personalized email marketing, with much more on the way, the company said.

Within their existing Google account, subscribers can easily manage all their personal and professional commitments from one place with access to Google support to get the most out of their solution.

�Workspace Individual’ is rolling out soon to six markets, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil and Japan.

Next month, Google will introduce key moderation controls for hosts of Google Meet meetings, giving them the ability to prevent the use of in-meeting chat and prohibit presenting during meetings, allowing them to mute and unmute participants. — IANS