Google Workspace

Overview

Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite, is a collection of cloud computing, productivity and collaboration tools, software and products developed by Google Inc.. It was first launched in 2006 as Google Apps for Your Domain and rebranded as G Suite in 2016. In October 2020, it was rebranded again as Google Workspace to better reflect the product's integrated nature.

Image of a computer screen displaying Google Workspace applications

History

Google Workspace began as a series of individual productivity apps that Google had developed. The first of these was Gmail, a free email service, which was launched on April 1, 2004. Gmail was followed by Google Talk (now Google Hangouts), a free instant messaging service, and Google Calendar, a free online calendar, both launched in 2005.

In 2006, Google launched Google Apps for Your Domain, a suite of apps aimed at businesses that included Gmail, Google Talk, and Google Calendar, as well as Google Page Creator, which was later replaced by Google Sites. In 2007, Google introduced Google Docs, a word processing app, and Google Sheets, a spreadsheet app, to the suite.

In 2016, Google rebranded Google Apps for Your Domain as G Suite to reflect its mission to help people everywhere work and innovate together. In 2020, G Suite was rebranded as Google Workspace, with a new user interface and additional features to further integrate the various apps.

Features

Google Workspace includes a range of productivity and collaboration tools. These include:

Gmail

Gmail is a free, advertising-supported email service provided by Google. Users can access Gmail on the web and through mobile apps for Android and iOS, as well as through third-party programs that synchronize email content through POP or IMAP protocols.

Google Drive

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service developed by Google. It allows users to store files on their servers, synchronize files across devices, and share files.

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides are a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation program respectively, all part of a free, web-based software office suite offered by Google within its Google Drive service.

Google Calendar

Google Calendar is a time-management and scheduling calendar service developed by Google.

Google Meet

Google Meet is a video-communication service developed by Google.

Google Chat

Google Chat is a communication software developed by Google built for teams that provides direct messages and team chat rooms, similar to competitors Slack and Microsoft Teams.

Google Keep

Google Keep is a note-taking service developed by Google.

Google Sites

Google Sites is a structured wiki- and web page-creation tool offered by Google.

Pricing

Google Workspace is available in four different pricing plans: Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, and Enterprise. The features available to users depend on the pricing plan they choose.

Reception

Google Workspace has been well received by businesses of all sizes due to its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and the robust feature set.