The virtual calendar and diary app has become a mainstay of the modern worker. Not only can you check your availability, quickly schedule meetings, set agendas, and even host meetings from your computer or smartphone, but you can also consult with colleagues’ online schedules to check their availability too. Google Calendar, however, looks set to take this a little further with an update that some might think is a little creepy.
Google is introducing an update to Google Calendar that will allow your colleagues to know your location while working. The update will give you the ability to set the building you are working in as your location so that other people can then see where you are working and when. The information will then be displayed on your Google Calendar.
In the google Workspace blog post announcing the update, Google said:
“Whether you’re suggesting a meeting room to your colleagues or want to know where someone might be working for the day, we hope this update makes planning in-person collaboration easier.”
Like a lot of things these days, Google says that this information is as much for its algorithm as it is for your colleagues. Sure, colleagues will be able to check which building you are working in, what time you will be finishing, and then maybe wait outside for you when you are done, but Google says this update will also help Google Calendar make improved meeting room suggestions when you trying to book a meeting on the app.
Google also says that the move will help users better organize their day and should also be a big help for people who are managing the calendars of other people as they’ll be able to update the working locations of the people whose schedules they are managing.
In today’s increasingly virtual modern workplace, it is refreshing to see an update that will help better plan in-person meetings and collaboration. It is the increased efficiency in this area that is likely behind this update from Google.
In other Google Workspace news, did you know that Google is boosting the scheduling options for Workspace users?
