Google Calendar introduces focus hours feature to avoid accidental interruption of core work

Google just launched a new feature called Focus Time so that users can better arrange key time periods in their schedules. In addition, the focused time period can automatically block meetings that conflict with the specified time period to ensure that personal or other affairs will not be affected. If you happen to have the need to manage your schedule carefully, you might as well experience this new feature introduced by Google Calendar.

As a new entry option, Google describes Focus Time as an event option similar to Out Of Office. When creating a new entry, the user can select the Concentration Period tab from the type list. The date and time can still be added as usual, including any details that need to be remarked, such as a description of the location. In addition, users can choose when to receive notifications about related items, visibility, and how they want to be displayed on the calendar (such as a status marked as busy).

In explaining the reasons for the new features, Google said on the Workspace blog: In the past year, everyone’s work environment has undergone a great change, and more chats and meetings have been arranged to occupy personal working hours. Based on this, Google hopes to make it easier for everyone to ensure the time efficiency of core work with the newly introduced focus time feature.

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If necessary, users can also set to automatically reject any meetings that may overlap during the focus period, and they will display a small headset icon in the upper left corner of Google Calendar as a distinction. At present, the Focus Time function has been provided to Google Workspace commercial standard/enhanced version, enterprise standard/enhanced version, education basic/teaching/learning upgrade version, non-profit organization version, and education standard/enhanced version customers.

As for when it will be introduced to G Suite Basic/Business Edition customers, Google has not yet given a clear timetable.

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