Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - October 27, 2023

Adding a two-page view for PDFs in the Google Drive app on large screen Android devices 

You can now flip between a single page width view or a newly added two-page width view when scrolling through a PDF using the Google Drive app on your Android tablet or foldable device. This side by side view of the PDF will resemble a book, providing a better viewing experience on large screen Android devices. | Available now to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts.

Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Changes to YouTube player embedded within Google Workspace for Education services 

We are removing a previous feature while we evaluate performance and quality. As an immediate next step, if you updated your allowlist or blocklist to include "www.youtube.com", you’ll need to revert your allowlist/blocklist to include "www.youtube.com" as soon as possible to preserve the way your organization uses YouTube videos within Google Workspace for Education services. | This impacts Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade | Learn more about changes to YouTube player embedded within Google Workspace for Education services. 

Introducing an updated and more inclusive emoji picker in Gmail 

You can now access a more complete emoji selection and set emoji skin tone and gender preferences with the modernized emoji picker in the web version of Gmail. | Learn more about emojis in Gmail. 

Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.

Rapid Release Domains: 

• Add ratings using a new smart chip in Google Sheets 
• Subtly enhance your appearance with portrait touch-up when using Google Meet on mobile devices 
• Introducing an updated and more inclusive emoji picker in Gmail

Scheduled Release Domains: 

• Build content quickly in Google Docs with instant access to building blocks and more 
• Add emoji reactions to comments in Google Sheets 

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains: 

• Understand the impact of Context-Aware Access policies with Monitor Mode 
• Multi-task using new split screen feature in the Gmail app on large screen Android devices

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).