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Quick launch summary 
Google Vault now supports Google Voice. This means you can use Vault to retain, hold, search, and export Google Voice data including text messages, call logs, voicemails, and voicemail transcripts. 

This provides you with expanded control over your organization’s data, and can help you meet regulatory or legal obligations for your Google Voice data. 


Getting started 
Example of creating a custom retention rule for Google Voice in the new Vault interface 

Example of creating a custom retention rule for Google Voice in the classic Vault interface 

Example of searching for Google Voice data in the new Google Vault interface 

Example of searching for Google Voice data in the classic Google Vault interface 


Rollout pace 
Availability 
Resources 
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Quick launch summary
Google Voice will now support dark theme on iOS. Dark theme is already available for Voice on Android. 

Dark theme for Google Voice


Getting started
Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.

End users: The latest Google Voice update for iOS (version 20.36) will adopt the dark or light theme as set in iOS Settings. Learn more.

Rollout pace
Availability
  • Available to all G Suite customers with Google Voice licenses and Voice users with personal accounts.

 

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Quick launch summary
Admins can now assign Google Voice numbers to users while a port is still in progress, and users can start using their assigned numbers immediately once porting is completed. Previously, admins had to wait to assign the numbers until after the port completed, and only then could the user activate the application.

This reduces downtime for users, allowing them to start making calls more quickly and ensuring they don’t miss incoming calls once the port is complete.

Numbers can also be assigned to auto attendants and ring groups ahead of time allowing a seamless transition once the port is complete.

Search for and assign numbers that are in the process of being ported.

Review number assignments for users

Getting started
Admins: This feature will be ON by default. During number porting, we’ll inform admins that numbers are available for immediate assignment. Visit the Help Center to learn more about porting business numbers to Voice.

End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Users will automatically get welcome info once the port completes.

Rollout pace
Availability
  • Available to all G Suite customers with Google Voice licenses
Resources
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What’s changing
We’re launching automatic call routing rules with ring groups in Google Voice. With ring groups, multiple people in your organization can make and receive calls from the same Google Voice number. This feature was previously available in beta and is now generally available.



Who’s impacted
Admins and end users


Why you’d use it
A ring group is a way for a team to intelligently route incoming calls to the correct person or device. This means that groups within your organization, like sales or customer service teams, can easily triage and take quick actions on ongoing calls (such as transferring to a team member or another device).


Additional details
Admins can customize several aspects of ring groups, including:
  • Simultaneous or random order call routing
  • Who in the ring group can make outbound calls and use the ring group number(s) as caller ID
  • What happens to unanswered calls
  • Ring group business hours 

Check out the Help Center for more information on configuring ring groups.


Getting started


Rollout pace
  • This feature is available now for all users.

Availability 


Resources


Roadmap
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Quick launch summaryGoogle Voice now works with Google Fi, so you can have separate Fi and Voice numbers on the same Google account. This means you can use different numbers for different purposes, like one for family and friends and one for work. When you set up forwarding in Google Voice or Google Fi, you’ll receive calls from both numbers in one central place.

We hope this change makes it easier for you to manage your calls.

Getting started
Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.

End users: To manage both Voice and Fi with the same Google account, set up call forwarding on the Google Voice settings page. To sign up for Fi, go to fi.google.com or download the Fi app.

Rollout pace

Availability
  • Available to all Google Voice & Google Fi users
Resources


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Quick launch summaryGoogle Voice is now available in Gmail when using Chrome or Firefox browsers on your computer. This allows you to make and receive calls without switching tabs. Google Voice in Gmail looks similar to the call panel in the Voice web application, allowing you to answer calls, make new outbound calls, and easily transfer calls.


In addition, you can now transfer calls using the Google Voice mobile and web apps. In a few simple steps, you can send a call to the appropriate person, whether that’s an intelligently-suggested contact, searching in your directory or a manually entered phone number.


Call transferring is available in Voice on Android, iOS, and the web.
Getting startedAdmins: There is no admin control for this feature.

End users: These features will be available to Voice customers by default. Visit the Help Center to learn more about transferring calls or using Google Voice in Gmail.

Rollout paceGoogle Voice call transfer


Google Voice in Gmail


Availability
  • Available to all G Suite customers with Google Voice licenses

Resources

Roadmap


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Quick launch summaryGoogle Voice is now available in Canada. This means that:
  • G Suite customers based in Canada can now sign up for Google Voice.
  • Google Voice customers in Canada, as well as international customers with Google Voice Premier edition, can assign numbers with Canada country codes (+1) to users.
  • Soon, customers will be able to port existing +1 numbers in Canada to Google Voice. Follow the G Suite Updates blog to see when this becomes available.
With this launch, Voice is now available in these 11 countries.

Google Voice is a cloud-based phone system that’s optimized for businesses of all sizes. Customers can use it to deploy and manage phone numbers at scale with the intelligence and security of Google Cloud. Google Voice offers:
  • Smart cloud telephony for end users
  • Simple provisioning and management for admins
  • Easy adoption and migration at scale
Getting startedAdmins: G Suite customers based in Canada can now sign up for Google Voice. Find more information about Google Voice availability and pricing.

End users: There is no end user setting for this feature.
AvailabilityGoogle Voice is available to all G Suite customers in supported countries through an additional license.
ResourcesRoadmap
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This announcement was made at Google Cloud Next ‘19 UK. Check out Next OnAir to tune into the livestream or watch session recordings following the event.

Quick launch summary Google Voice is now available in Ireland. This means that:

  • G Suite customers based in Ireland can now sign up for Google Voice. 
  • Google Voice customers in Ireland, or international customers with Google Voice Premier edition, can assign numbers with Ireland country codes (+353) to users. 
  • Soon, customers will be able to port existing +353 numbers to Google Voice. Follow the G Suite Updates blog to see when this becomes available. 
With this launch, Voice is now available in these 10 countries.

Google Voice is a cloud-based phone system that’s optimized for businesses of all sizes. Customers can use it to deploy and manage phone numbers at scale with the intelligence and security of Google Cloud. Google Voice offers:

  • Smart cloud telephony for end users 
  • Simple provisioning and management for admins 
  • Easy adoption and migration at scale 

Availability Google Voice is available to all G Suite customers in supported countries through an additional license. Find more information about Google Voice availability and pricing here.


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Quick launch summary Google Voice will now support Dark theme on Android. Dark theme is a popular feature, as it creates a better viewing experience in low-light conditions and preserves battery life.

Dark theme for Google Voice

If you already have dark theme enabled on your Android phone (under Settings > Display > Screen settings), Voice will automatically respect this setting. On Pixel, when Battery Saver is enabled, Voice will default to dark theme automatically.

To change the theme specifically for the Google Voice app, go to Menu > Settings > Display Options > Theme and select “Dark.”

Availability Rollout details 
  • Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 1, 2019 for all users 

G Suite editions 
  • Available to all G Suite editions 

On/off by default? 
  • Dark theme in the Google Voice app is off by default, unless you have it enabled in your Android device's display settings, in which case the app will also respect that setting.

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What’s changing You can now set up voicemail for your Google Voice auto attendants.

Who’s impacted Admins and end users

Why you’d use it Admins can use the auto attendant to set up voicemail three different ways:

  • Send incoming calls directly to voicemail 
  • Send calls to voicemail if the caller presses a specific key 
  • Send calls to voicemail if they’re received during non-business hours

How to get started 

  • Admins: To learn how to use the auto attendant to set up voicemail, use this article in our Help Center. 
  • End users: No action required. You’ll receive an audio file and transcript of your voicemails via email.
Additional details 
Admins will also have the option to enter a message to play for callers before they’re sent to voicemail, for example, “Our offices are currently closed. Please leave a message, and we'll return your call within one business day.” 

Helpful links 

Availability 
Rollout details 

G Suite editions 
  • Available to all G Suite editions with Google Voice Standard and Google Voice Premier subscriptions 
  • Not available to Google Voice Starter subscriptions 


On/off by default? 
  • This feature will be ON by default and can be enabled at the group level.



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Quick launch summary Google Voice admins can now batch import desk phone information using Google Sheets. Previously, you could only add a single desk phone at a time. This new feature will make it faster for you to add multiple desk phones at once, similar to how you can batch assign phone numbers and port in existing numbers.


Use our Help Center to learn more about getting started with desk phones and using batch import. 
Availability Rollout details 
G Suite editions 

  • Available to all G Suite editions with Google Voice Standard and Google Voice Premier subscriptions. 
  • Not available to Google Voice Starter subscriptions. 

On/off by default? 

  • This feature will be available by default.


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What’s changingThe Google Voice auto attendant can now be configured to transfer calls to a person with Google Voice in addition to a phone number.
Who’s impactedAdmins only
Why you’d use itTo direct callers to the correct people in your organization, you can set up a menu system in Google Voice. This automated attendant (called “auto attendant”) lets callers select options by pressing keys on their phone. For example, you can set up a menu that says, “For Support, press 1. For Sales, press 2. To speak to an operator, press 0.”

With this change, you can now direct callers to a specific user without having to look up that user’s number when setting up the transfer in the Admin console.
How to get started
  • Admins: In the Admin console, go to Apps > G Suite > Google Voice and follow the steps in this Help Center article.
    • Make sure to select “User” under “Transfer type.” Here, you can enter the user’s email address.



  • End users: No action required.

Additional detailsThe option to transfer to phone numbers is still available if you’d prefer that setup.
Helpful links

AvailabilityRollout details


G Suite editions

  • Available to Google Voice Enterprise users

On/off by default?

  • This feature will be OFF by default.

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What’s changingWe’re making some improvements to the Google Voice web app. These will make it easier to find the right contact, quicker to place calls, and simpler to control audio settings. Specific improvements include:

  • Always-visible call panel
  • One-click calling
  • Quick access to mic and audio settings

See more information below.

Who’s impactedEnd users

Why you’d use itIt’s important for a telephony system to be quick and intuitive to use. These improvements will make it simpler to use Google Voice, so users spend less time navigating the product interface and more time communicating through it.

How to get started

Additional details
Always visible call panel
The new call panel will be in the same place regardless of what you’re doing in the Google Voice app—checking messages, listening to voicemails, or something else. This will make it quicker and easier to place calls when you need to.

One-click calling
A new quick call option will appear when users hover over a contact in their call list. This will allow users to make calls faster.

Quick access to mic and audio settings
A new icon in the main action bar will give instant access to common audio settings. These include what microphone and audio output to use before or during a call, as well as what device should ring for incoming calls.


Helpful linksHelp Center: Call someone with Google Voice
Help Center: Change the microphone or speakers on your computer

Availability
Rollout details



G Suite editions
Available to all G Suite editions with Google Voice licenses


On/off by default?
These features will be ON by default.


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What’s changing It’s now easier to set up and manage desk phones with Google Voice. Specifically, you can now use the Admin console to:

  • See all desk phones in your organization, including the model, phone status, assigned user, and more. 
  • Provision a Polycom VVX x50 OBi Edition device to a specific user in just a few clicks. When you provision a phone, the user’s number will be assigned to the phone after an automatic update. 
Use our Help Center to find out more and watch a brief video about how to set up desk phones with Google Voice.

Who’s impacted Admins and end users

Why you’d use it While Google Voice gives you the flexibility to use your work phone number on any device, there may be times when a desk phone is preferred or helps ease the transition from a legacy telephony system to Google Voice.

How to get started 
  • Admins: Use our Help Center to see how to provision a desk phone for Voice. 
  • End users: Once a desk phone has been set up for you by an admin, see how to use a desk phone with Voice.  
Helpful links 


Availability Rollout details 


Google Voice subscriptions 

  • Available to Google Voice Standard and Google Voice Premier subscriptions. 
  • Not available to Google Voice Starter subscriptions. 

On/off by default? 

  • This feature will be OFF by default.

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This announcement was made at Google Cloud Next ‘19 in San Francisco. Check out Next OnAir to tune into the livestream or watch session recordings following the event.

What’s changing Google Voice is now generally available as an add-on to G Suite. Voice for G Suite is a cloud-based phone system that’s optimized for businesses of all sizes. G Suite customers can use it to deploy and manage phone numbers at scale with the intelligence and security of Google Cloud. Google Voice offers:

  • Smart cloud telephony for end users 
  • Simple provisioning and management for admins 
  • Easy adoption and migration at scale 


Google Voice is available to all G Suite customers through an additional licence. Find more information about Google Voice availability and pricing here.

Who’s impacted Admins only

Why you’d use it Google Voice integrates with Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet to provide a complete solution for communication with colleagues, customers, and partners from anywhere at any time. Specifically, Google Voice adds:

Smart cloud telephony for end users 

  • Get a phone number that works from anywhere, on any device, so you can place and receive calls wherever you’re doing work. 
  • Use intelligent capabilities to transcribe voicemails and block spam calls to help minimize unwanted distractions. 
  • Increase efficiency through integrations with other G Suite products, like Calendar, Contacts, Hangouts Chat, and Hangouts Meet. 

Simple management for admins 

  • Use one place - the Admin console - to manage Voice global users, numbers, porting, and billing. 
  • Set up new phone numbers as easily as adding a user to G Suite. 
  • Easily provision and deploy via simple administration tools 

Scalable adoption and migration 

  • Migrate smoothly with integrated number porting to help prevent interruption of key business processes. 
  • Leverage Google’s text-to-speech technology to automatically create call menus in nine languages to manage and route callers without worrying about recordings or translations. 
  • Give users permission to choose a number and set up their service independently without admin involvement. 

How to get started 



Availability Google Voice is available to all G Suite customers through an additional licence. Find more information about Google Voice availability and pricing here.



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If you were at Google Cloud Next this year, you may have heard that Gmail and Google Hangouts are getting several improvements designed for businesses, such as Gmail Add-ons and the evolution of Hangouts: Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat. To make the most of these opportunities, we’re announcing several updates to Hangouts, Gmail and Google+ that make things much simpler for both enterprise administrators and users.
  • Streamlining the messaging experience for Android: At Google Cloud Next, we announced that we’ve evolved Hangouts to focus on two new experiences that help bring teams together and keep work moving forward: Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat. We’ve been working hard to streamline the classic Hangouts product for enterprise users, and, as part of this effort, will be removing carrier SMS functionality in the classic Hangouts app for Android, starting on May 22. For administrators: If your domain is affected by this change, you can expect to receive an email notification with additional details in the coming days.
    • Upgrading SMS with Android Messages: We want to provide a consistent and easy-to-use SMS experience for Android users, right out of the box. So we’re focused on making Android Messages the primary place to access SMS and are working with carriers and device manufacturers to include Android Messages natively in Android devices. Over time, we’re working with partners to upgrade SMS to RCS—the next standard in carrier messaging that will bring features like read receipts, group chat, hi-res photo sharing and more.
    • Hangouts on Android users: In the next few weeks, you’ll see a notification in the classic Hangouts app to switch to another SMS app already on your phone for SMS, or to download Android Messages if one isn’t available. Choosing a new messaging app will not impact your SMS message history, and all your messages will be accessible in whichever new app you choose. Note: This change does not impact Google Voice users who may continue to use Hangouts for their Google Voice SMS.  Project Fi users who wish to use Hangouts as their SMS app will also not be impacted by this change, and can consult the Project Fi forum for more detail.


  • Fully transitioning Google Talk to Hangouts: Google Talk launched in 2005 as a simple chat experience between Gmail users. In 2013, we began replacing Google Talk with Hangouts, while still giving users the option to continue using Google Talk. Hangouts offers advanced improvements over Google Talk such as group video calling and integration with other Google products. With the introduction of Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat, which add further improvements in meetings and team collaboration, it is now time to say goodbye to Google Talk.
    • Talk users within Gmail will receive a prompt in the next few weeks, inviting them to switch to Hangouts. After June 26, users will be automatically transitioned to Hangouts, unless contractual commitments apply. For users that preferred the Google Talk look, there is a Dense Roster setting in Hangouts that provides a similar experience.
    • Third-party XMPP clients will continue to work with Hangouts for 1-on-1 chats. XMPP federation with third-party services providers will no longer be supported starting June 26.
    • The legacy Google Talk Android app was replaced in the Play Store in 2013 and will now stop functioning. Android users are encouraged to install Hangouts now.
    • For G Suite administrators: If your domain is affected by this change, you will have already received an email notification about this change.
  • Retiring several Gmail Labs: Gmail Labs serve as a great testing ground for experimental features. Successful labs graduate, and low usage labs often retire. With the announcement of Gmail Add-ons, enterprises will soon gain the ability to add modern integrations in Gmail, which in some cases will replace or improve the functionality provided by some labs. So in the coming weeks, we will retire the following Labs: Authentication Icon, Google Voice Player, Picasa previews, Pictures in chat, Quick Links, Quote Selected Text, Smartlabels, and Yelp previews. (Expected: No earlier than April 24, 2017)
  • Retiring Google+ functionality in Gmail: As part of our continued effort to focus Google+ around shared interests, we’re retiring two legacy Google+ features in Gmail: the ability to email Google+ profiles and the use of Google+ Circles. (Expected: No earlier than April 24, 2017)
    We realize these updates may be an inconvenience, so we aimed to minimize disruption and help you navigate the changes where possible. These updates will help us focus and prioritize features that will improve the entire G Suite user experience for everyone. To monitor the retirement dates for these features, subscribe to the G Suite What’s New Calendar.

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    For domains that have the new interface for the Settings section in the Google Apps administrator control panel, it’s now possible to configure Chat settings at the organizational level.

    This new interface should be out to all domains using the next generation control panel by the end of next week.

    Editions included:
    Google Apps, Google Apps for Business, Government and Education

    Languages included:
    US English only (Next Generation Control Panel)

    How to access what's new:
    In the administrator control panel, select ‘Settings’ and then ‘Chat’ to view the new option to configure chat settings at the ‘Org Settings’ level. This means that each organization that you’ve created can have different settings applied just to that organization.

    Note: This option is only for domains that have the new ‘Settings’ interface that is currently being rolled out.

    For more information:
    http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/answer.py?answer=60767

    whatsnew.googleapps.com
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    Administrators now have more control over how their users use Chat and can:
    - Enable/disable their user's ability to chat outside the domain.
    - Enable a setting to automatically accept chat invitations between users in their domain.

    Editions included:
    Premier and Education Editions

    Languages included:
    US English

    How to access what's new:
    Go to Chat settings in the control panel, and enable/disable the checkbox 'Users can chat with other users outside this domain'. This will also affect the ability to chat within the Google Network.

    To set automatic acceptance of invitations to chat, enable/disable the checkbox 'Automatically accept chat invitations between users in this domain'. Please note that your users will be able to override this setting and it's a default setting only.


    For more information:
    http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=60767

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    Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates
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    You can now have voice and video chats with your contacts for free within your browser's Gmail window.

    Editions impacted:
    Standard, Premier, Education and Partner Editions

    Languages impacted:
    US English

    How to access what's new:
    From Gmail, open a chat session with a contact, click on the 'Video & more' menu at the bottom of the chat window, then select 'Start video chat' or 'Start voice chat'. The first time you use this feature, you'll be prompted to download and install a small plugin.

    For more information:
    http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2008/11/gmail-voice-and-video-chat.html
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    Google Apps Premier Edition now includes a 99.9% uptime guarantee for Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sites and Google Talk.

    Editions impacted:
    Premier Edition

    Languages impacted:
    All

    How to access what's new:
    This uptime guarantee is available to all Premier Edition customers.

    For more information:
    http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/terms/sla.html
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