Google’s latest updates to Gmail, Docs, and more assist you to stay organized and improve productivity.
Google had a hectic begin to 2014: It acquired Nest Labs for $3.2 billion, launched Chromebox for meetings, and dropped Google Drive storage prices. But between its biggest headlines, Google also rolled out a handful of updates to its Google Apps productivity suite.
The Google Apps suite, that’s now utilized by greater than 5 million businesses and 50 million people, added a handful of recent features and capabilities that may assist you be more productive and stay organized. Its most up-to-date updates include a library of add-ons for Docs and Sheets users, a brand new design in your Promotions tab in Gmail, additional Google+ controls, and new photo-editing capabilities in Google Slides and Drawings.
Here’s a glance at Google Apps’ newest features, plus tips for a way you may make the foremost of them.
1. Use add-ons in Docs and Sheets.
In March, Google launched add-ons, new tools created by developer partners that provide you with more features to your documents and spreadsheets.
You’ll find add-ons within the menu bar of any open document or spreadsheet. Click the tab, then select “Get add-ons.” Whenever you install an add-on, it’ll be available across your entire documents and spreadsheets, and you may use it immediately.
A few add-ons you may find useful include Letter Feed Workflows, which routes your document to the proper people and adds an Approve button. You’re able to track who has approved it and publish the general version with a click. Merge by Mailchimp helps you to send customized emails from Google Docs, and Avery Label Merge allows you to import addresses or names from Sheets into Docs to print.
[Cash in on Gmail, Calendar, Docs, and more. See 10 Great Google Apps Tips.]
2. Test new Promotions tab in Gmail.
If you favor the look of Pinterest, you’ll like a brand new a brand new design for the Promotions tab in Gmail that the corporate is testing.
“Promotional mail has lots of images, from pictures of snazzy new shoes to photos of that rock-climbing gym you have been desirous to try,” Aaron Rothman, Google project manager, wrote in a blog post. “But instantaneously those images are buried inside your messages — and with only subject lines to move on, it may be a challenge to quickly decide on the deals and provides that interest you most.”
To sign in to take part within the field trial, visit g.co/gmailfieldtrial. In case you are selected, a brand new grid view will display images out of your deals, offers, and other marketing emails when you’ve got the Promotions tab enabled. You’re able to scroll infinitely on this view, and might toggle between the hot view and the conventional list by clicking a button on the top of the tab.
3. Control which Google+ users can email you.
Google now lets users who’ve Gmail and Google+ accounts to email anyone who also has both accounts, although the user doesn’t know the person’s email address. The corporate said that this modification could be useful for those that know one another but haven’t yet exchanged email addresses.
The new feature lets anyone send you email so long as the individual follows you on Google+, which she or he can do without permission. Your email address won’t be visible to the user unless you reply to the person’s message.
These messages will land in a single of 2 separate tabs withon your inbox. If someone in your Google+ circles emails you, the e-mail will appear in
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Kristin Burnham currently serves as InformationWeek.com’s Senior Editor, covering social media, social business, IT leadership and IT careers. Previous to joining InformationWeek in July 2013, she served in a lot of roles at CIO magazine and CIO.com, most recently as senior … View Full Bio
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