Do I really have to go? Google Calendar adds ‘optional attendees’ feature

Businesses are going to really like this latest improvement to Google Calendar: optional attendees.

Recognizing the need to have only certain people absolutely present at a meeting or event, Google has added a “Make some attendees optional” link on the calendar event guest page. After clicking the link, all you have to do add a check mark next to the person’s icon and that person is now set as an optional attendee (meaning if they want they don’t have to rush back from lunch).

Of course, this is something that Microsoft Outlook’s calendar has been able to do for some time, but with the relative ease of use of Google Calendar on mobile devices, as well as being a free product, this is a very nice improvement.