Google Calendar Adds Legit ‘Focus Time’ Feature
▼ Summary
– Google Calendar’s latest update expands Tasks to let you block time for tasks and mark yourself as busy, integrating task management with scheduling.
– The update allows tasks to function like meetings with features such as setting time blocks, enabling “do not disturb,” and automatically rejecting meeting requests.
– This feature has been specifically requested by Workspace users and builds on previous changes to Tasks, including integrated reminders and completion dates.
– The rollout began for Rapid Release domains on November 6th and will reach all Workspace customers, individual subscribers, and personal Gmail accounts by mid-December.
– Unlike the “Focus Time” feature, this updated Tasks feature enables you to assign specific time blocks to individual tasks for better tracking and focus.
Google Calendar has introduced a significant enhancement to its Tasks functionality, now enabling users to block out dedicated time for specific activities directly within their calendar. This new capability effectively transforms tasks into scheduled events, allowing you to mark yourself as busy, activate “do not disturb” mode, and automatically decline conflicting meeting invitations. You can also assign a deadline date to each task, though setting a precise time for deadlines is not currently an option.
For many Workspace subscribers and individual users, this development represents the evolution they have been anticipating for Google Tasks. The feature has undergone numerous refinements since its initial launch as a standalone application in 2018. Recent improvements have included integration with Google Keep for reminders and the ability to log completion dates. The rollout began for Rapid Release domains on November 6th and is expected to reach all Workspace customers, personal Google account holders, and individual subscribers by the middle of December.
Individuals who rely on planners or are familiar with comparable features in applications like Microsoft Outlook will find this update particularly useful. It provides a clear method for organizing your workload and communicating your availability to colleagues, helping to protect your concentration periods. A key distinction from the pre-existing “Focus Time” option is that this upgraded Tasks feature allows you to allocate a precise time block to an individual task.
To start using it, simply open your Google Calendar, click on an empty time slot, and choose “Task” from the menu that appears.
(Source: The Verge)
