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Google Calendar Adds True Task Time Blocking With Do Not Disturb and Auto-Decline

The rollout is underway to Workspace customers as well as personal Gmail, with wider access beginning December 1.

Overview

  • Users can drop a task into any open calendar slot, set a duration, and mark themselves busy without creating a fake meeting.
  • Meeting-style controls include visibility settings, Do Not Disturb, and automatic rejection of invites that conflict with task time.
  • Scheduled tasks remain in the Tasks list and continue to trigger reminders rather than converting into ordinary events.
  • Rapid Release domains began receiving the update on November 6, with Standard Release starting December 1 and broader availability expected through December.
  • Tasks can have a due date but not a specific deadline time, a limitation noted despite the new scheduling flexibility.