A slightly shorter Google Workspace Developer News episode this month from Chanel Greco (Google Workspace, DevRel). New features for developers include using the Google Docs API or Apps Script to create and organize documents with tabs. Google Meet Add-ons now have the ability to end collaborations programmatically. Google Chat apps have expanded card interface features, such as Material Design buttons and ChipList widgets.
Lastly, developers are encouraged to use Cloud Client Libraries when calling Chat API for improved efficiency. You can find out more about all these updates by following the source link.
You can apply to join the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program to get early access to certain features. Features in developer preview have already completed early development phases, so they’re ready for implementation. This program gives you the chance to shape the final stages of feature development with feedback, get pre-release support, and have your integration ready for public use on launch day.
The Google Workspace Developer Preview Program (DPP) gives you early access to new features. If you are developing Google Workspace products and solutions, it’s a great way to stay ahead of the curve and provide feedback before feature release. Anyone can apply to join the DPP, just follow the source link, but note that you can’t enroll with a gmail.com account.
New Google Chart Card UI has just been added for buttons, chips, collapsible sections, and overflow menus. These additions extend the capability of Google Chat, allowing the possibility for users to interact with external tools and services without leaving the chat and continually having to context switch.
The public documentation page includes a list of all active developer previews. While these pages don’t offer visuals of the features, existing DPP members received a nice set of visuals in the email update. This example includes chips and a customizable control button for a collapsible section:
I’d highly recommend registering for the DPP so you can see what is coming in Google Workspace.
I’m continually blown away by how much information Google Developer Advocate Chanel Greco squeezes into the Google Workspace Developer News video updates. It’s also great to see the continued development of features and services Workspace developers can use. This video covers a number of updates including:
Using the Tasks API to manage tasks assigned from Google Docs or Chat spaces.
The general availability of multiselect menus and columns for Google Workspace Add-ons.
Using the Chat API to make a Google Chat space discoverable to specific users within an organization by creating target audiences.
Authenticating Chat app requests using Cloud Functions, Cloud Run, or an App URL ID Token.
Importing spaces from other messaging platforms and allowing external users to join them.
The Google Drive API now supports the drive.meet.readonly scope.
Google Workspace admins can restrict which URLs Apps Scripts and Sheets can source external content from.
The video description includes all the related documentation links to find out more.
The Google Developer Program gives developers access to a range of new tools and benefits, to allow them to discover and explore all the Google sponsored communities we already offer.
Google recently announced an expansion of the Google Developers Program:
“The program will give developers access to a range of new tools and benefits such as technical assistance from Gemini and allow them to discover and explore all the Google sponsored communities we already offer. Joining is free and open to any developer worldwide.”
One of the headline benefits is when you also join the Google Cloud Innovators program through your Developer Profile, you will get free credits for the Google Cloud Skills Boost learning platform. Your credits will automatically replenish every month, so if you run out you just need to wait a little to continue your learning.
A note for Google Workspace account holders is you may find that your Workspace Admin has disabled the ‘Developer Profile’ service for your domain. If so a friendly email to your support desk might be required, however, given you can collect badges for your Developer Profile you may prefer to create an account with a personal consumer Gmail account.
In 2022, we made it easy to seamlessly access popular Education Technology tools directly in Google Classroom. We partnered with 20+ EdTech companies, including Kahoot!, Pear Deck, IXL, ReadWorks, and Nearpod, to build Google Classroom add-ons. These new integrations let educators and students easily find, use, and grade great content in their favorite EdTech tools without having to navigate to external websites and apps.
Today, we’re excited to make Classroom add-ons generally available to all developers.
Given the number of Apps Script users in EDU today’s announcement the Google Classroom add-ons now generally available for anyone to publish is probably welcome news. Whilst Google Classroom add-ons have been around for a couple of years they have historically only been created by a select few of Google partners.
Before jumping in something key to keep in mind is that while Apps Script offers a low-entry approach for most Workspace add-ons, Classroom add-ons require more technical expertise. They involve building a web application and integrating it with Classroom’s functionalities using the Google Workspace Marketplace SDK. Proficiency in web development languages like Python, Java, or Node.js is recommended and Google have published some example implementations for Python, Java and Node.js.
Whilst there are differences there are overlaps. For example like Workspace and Editor Add-ons you will need to create a Google Cloud project to publish to the Google Workspace Marketplace. As part of this you’ll have to also provide key information such as terms and conditions as well as going through the OAuth verification process.
The Google Developer documentation and other resources are linked from the source announcement.
The Google Workspace Developer Summit is a full day event led by the Google Workspace Developer Relations team. Together, we will explore both the opportunity and the technologies that make up the Google Workspace platform, with a focus on what’s new and emerging in the types of solutions you and your teams can build.
The Google Workspace Developer Summit are returning! These are excellent opportunities for Workspace user and developers of all experience levels to learn about creating unique solutions for their businesses or the world. The full-day events, led by the Google Workspace Developer Relations team, will allow you to explore both the potential and technologies of the Google Workspace platform.
The events also include sessions from community members and I will be doing a short session at the Berlin event on Empowering Google Workspace Developers with Gemini Function Calling and more!
If you can’t join in-person for the summits but still would like to watch some of the sessions both registration pages include a Google Form to note interest.
To subscribe to events using Apps Script, you can now use the Advanced Google Workspace Events service.
In the May 02, 2024 Google Apps Script release notes it was announced that a new Advanced Google Workspace Events service is available to let developers use the Google Workspace Events API directly in Google Apps Script. The Google Workspace Events API is a relatively new API, which was released to developer preview in January, 2024. The Google Workspace Events API uses a subscription model to handle resource changes. When you create a subscription, you specify the target resource (such as a Google Chat space or Google Meet meeting space) and the event types that you want to subscribe to. The API then sends notifications to your specified endpoint whenever an event occurs for that resource and event type.
In the case of the new Advanced Google Workspace Events service the linked documentation includes samples for using the new service with Google Chat. It’s worth noting that the Advanced Google Workspace Events service is designed specifically on managing subscriptions to events. While it lets you to control the flow of information and manage event subscriptions in your Apps Script projects, the actual processing and handling of event data occurs separately.
The linked documentation page provides sample code as well as outlines all the prerequisites.
we’re making it easy for organizations to extend the power of their data and custom AI models by using Vertex AI with Workspace as a platform, enabling next-generation workflows that are built right into Docs, Gmail, and other Workspace apps
Google Cloud Next ’24 has just started but already a number of exciting product updates have been announced, including the indications of a possible deeper integration of Vertex AI into Google Workspace.
In one of our recent Pulse updates we highlighted Dialogflow CX and Google Chat API integration is now in Developer Preview. The reason I feel this is an important development is Dialogflow CX lies at the heart of Vertex AI Agent Builder (formerly Vertex AI Search and Conversation … formerly Gen App Builder).
Vertex AI Agent Builder lets developers easily build and deploy enterprise-ready gen AI experiences via a range of tools for different developer needs and levels of expertise — from a no-code console for building AI agents using natural language
This integration is significant because it addresses a key challenge I’ve experienced as a Vertex AI Agent Builder trusted tester. Previously, using Google Workspace data in your agents required moving it to a Cloud Storage bucket. The new integration potentially streamlines this process, allowing seamless access to your Workspace data.
This aligns with a broader trend I’m seeing at Google Cloud Next: the emphasis on custom Generative AI-powered agents. Gabe Weiss’s demo in this morning’s keynote showcased the potential of such agents to intelligently support users. Though details about the underlying technology were limited to Vertex AI Agent, the UI does hint at a gemini.google.com integration. You can see for yourself at the queued clip (this may change if Google trims the video).
Episode 5: Welcome to the Google Workspace Developer News! Find out what’s new on the Google Workspace Platform.
Here are the latest Google Workspace developer updates compiled by Chanel Greco. The standout feature is the integration of Google’s Dialogflow CX (a powerful natural language understanding platform) with the Google Chat API. This lets developers build chat apps that truly converse with users. Access is currently available through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program.
The video spotlights more exciting updates to the Google Chat API. Interactive widgets (like thumbs up/down icons) can now be placed at the bottom of messages, boosting user interaction. Additionally, the formattedText field supports bulleted list markup, making it easier for apps to organize information.
Finally, Google Apps Script gets a boost too! The new LinkPreview Class in the Card Service grants control over link titles, visuals, and how they’re displayed within smart chips.
Click the source link for a deeper dive into these updates and find helpful resources in the video description!
Episode 4: Welcome to the fourth edition of the Google Workspace Developer News! Find out what’s new on the Google Workspace Platform.
Another great summary of Google Workspace Developer News put together by Chanel Greco from the Google Workspace DevRel team. The update includes information on:
Google Meet API and Google Workspace Events API now generally available: These APIs enable developers to programmatically create and manage meetings, and subscribe to meeting events.
Google Chat apps now support Google Apps Script’s Card Service: Developers can now use Card Service to build user interfaces for Chat apps.
Subscribe to Google Calendar changes: you can now get push notifications for a specific calendar events, such as working location, focus time, or out-of-office events
