Google is enhancing user experience in its Workspace apps, starting with a new feature called Smart Chips and the introduction of a prominent “@” button shortcut in Google Docs. Smart Chips allow users to perform various tasks within Docs and other Workspace apps. Now, with the addition of the “@” button, Google aims to encourage users to leverage Smart Chips more efficiently.
The “@” button becomes visible when the cursor is placed on a blank line within a document. By clicking this button, users can access the “@-menu,” which includes shortcuts for People and various Smart Chips. The People shortcuts are listed first, followed by Smart Chips like Date, Dropdown, Stopwatch, Timer, Task, Variable, Voting, and Placeholder.
Scrolling down the menu reveals additional options such as Building Blocks for Meeting notes, Email draft, Product roadmap, Review tracker, and Project assets. These templates are also suggested when users create a new document. Additionally, recent files and upcoming Calendar events are displayed at the bottom of the menu.
This feature is currently rolling out and will be made available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts.
In another update for Workspace domains, Google is introducing the ability for employees to record their names and share their pronunciation with other users. This recorded pronunciation will be displayed on profile cards that appear in Gmail, Docs, and other apps. Users can initiate the recording process by opening their profile card.
This recording feature is available for Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Essentials Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Frontline Starter, Frontline Standard, and Nonprofits customers. However, it is not available for Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers.
These updates demonstrate Google’s commitment to improving collaboration and communication within its Workspace apps, providing users with more intuitive features and customization options. The introduction of the “@” button aims to streamline the use of Smart Chips, making it easier for users to access and utilize various functionalities within Google Docs and other Workspace applications.
