New Chrome Web Store badges

Google has added to badges to extensions that are found on the Chrome Web Store.

The Established Publisher badge showcases publishers who have verified their identity and demonstrated compliance with the developer program policies.

The Featured badge is assigned to extensions that follow our technical best practices and meet a high standard of user experience and design.

Both these badges help when reviewing the implications of adding an extension to Chrome, something that teachers should discuss with their students.

Read more here → Google The Keyword - Find great extensions with new Chrome Web Store badges [20 April 2022]

Set up host controls and assign co-hosts ahead of a Meet

In addition to setting up Google Meet breakout rooms in advance in Google Calendar, meeting organizers can also: 

  • Turn meeting safety features on or off, such as chat lock, present lock, and more. 
  • Designate co-hosts before the meeting. 

Read more here → Google Workspace Updates - Set up host controls and assign co-hosts ahead of meetings in Google Calendar [20 April 2022]

Improved editing experience in Chat on the web

Chat is a super useful of communicating, without increasing email, for things that need quick and short replies.

You can find Chat as part of your Gmail page or at chat.google.com.

You now can add rich formatting to Chat messages, such as bold, italics, or underlines. Rich text can also be accessed using standard keyboard shortcuts.

Simply press the "A" icon in the chat compose bar to expand the formatting toolbar.

Read more here → Google Workspace Updates - Improved editing experience in Google Chat on the web [20 January 2022]

The Zoom 'Progressive Web App' for Chromebook gains blur and virtual backgrounds

PWAs are the future!

You can use Zoom on a Chromebook and the experience is getting better.

The Zoom PWA for Chromebook gained a new trick that brings it closer to a full desktop experience. You can now blur what’s behind you or use a virtual background in the Zoom web client.