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Google Calendar Adds Virtual Attendance as an RSVP Option

Choose in-person or virtual for your next meeting

By Allison Murray Allison Murray Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 8, 2021 03:26PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Software & Apps Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Users of Google Calendar soon will be able to indicate they plan to attend events virtually to accommodate hybrid workplaces. Google said a new RSVP option will allow users to select their attendance as in-person or virtual. Both the organizer of the event and the other guests will see how people are attending in the event details. Getty Images/shapecharge It’s important to note that the new RSVP options won’t work with contacts on other platforms like Microsoft Outlook. The new feature initially will only be available on Google Calendar, but will soon come to Gmail calendar invitations. Google said the feature gradually will roll out to users in the coming weeks. This is just one of the many Google Workplace updates in recent months. One of the biggest updates came in June when Google announced that anyone with a Google account could access Google Workspace features. Before, features like the ability to share smart suggestions in emails or documents, mention other users to add them to tasks and present in Google Docs, and add Sheets or Slides directly within your Google Meet calls, only were available with a Google Workspace subscription. Getty Images / 10'000 Hours Google initially announced some of these new Workspace features during May’s Google I/O conference and referred to the new experience as Smart Canvas. The Smart Canvas features, such as inclusive language suggestions and connected checklists, work across Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. These features are especially handy, since many workers have had to work from home this past year and will continue to do so either full-time or in a hybrid setting, as Google noted in its announcement. According to a 2020 study from the University of Chicago, 22% of all full work days are expected to be performed from home after the pandemic ends, compared with just 5% before. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Share Your Google Calendar Google I/O 2023: Dates, News, Rumors, and Everything Else To Know How to Schedule a Google Meet Meta/Facebook's Bet on Virtual Reality A Full Review of Google Calendar and Its Features How to Share Your Google Calendar DeveloperWeek 2023: Dates, News, Rumors, and Everything Else To Know What Is Google Workspace (Formerly G Suite) Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2023: Announcements, News, and More How to Make an Event Private in Google Calendar Women in Tech Summit: Dates, News, Rumors, and Everything Else To Know How to Sync Google Calendar With iPhone Calendar How to Automatically Add Birthdays to Google Calendar How to Share and Collaborate With Google Drive How to Get Google Calendar on Your Windows Desktop AfroTech World 2022: Dates, News, and Everything Else to Know Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies