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Google Chat finally makes Slack and Teams message integration official
Interoperability for efficient work
Interoperability is a cornerstone for the future of messaging apps, and regulators like those in the EU seem eager to nudge big tech companies towards making efforts like making iMessage support RCS. We’re also seeing interoperability with other related services, with Google Chat making Slack and Microsoft Teams integration official.
Google Chat wants to steal one of WhatsApp's best features
Everyone wants a slice of the broadcast messaging pie
Social media apps have evolved in the last decade — Instagram shed its photos-first appeal to become one of the biggest hubs for short video Reels, Facebook learnt many new tricks, and passed bits like stories on to every other popular Meta app, WhatsApp included. Although the chat-focused platform has relentlessly chased after Telegram’s superior feature set, WhatsApp has also shifted focus from one-to-one and small group messaging towards large-scale interactions with Communities and Channels. Now, it appears Google is swooping in on the opportunity with Chats, formerly known as Hangouts.
Google Chat finally adds a feature that basically every other messaging app had for years
Voice messages come to the platform 11 years after WhatsApp
Google Chat is the company’s not-so-popular chat app, coming in as the official substitute for Google Hangouts in the Workspace suite. It is perfectly suited for messaging your Gmail contacts informally, or discussing things in an SMS-like format instead of several emails sent back and forth. However, Chat is rudimentary and lacking several modern-day amenities we may take for granted in our favorite messaging apps. Support for voice notes is one such feature, and Google just announced it is finally headed for release in the Chat app.
Google Chat is adding a feature that should've existed all along
The Workspace app is adding participant avatars for unread threads
It's been a busy last few months for Google Chat, starting with a redesigned logo in December, while the mobile apps have undergone a few design changes in the past couple of months. The Chat app is also developing features like voice messages, which are already a staple of most messaging apps. We can now add another common messaging feature to the list, with Google announcing the inclusion of participant avatars for unread group chats (spaces).
Google Chat finally embraces a must-have messenger feature
Voice messages are popular, and they are coming to Google Chat soon
As an essential part of communications within the Google Workspace ecosystem, Google Chat doesn't often get a lot of attention. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that Google wants Workspace users to access Chat more than they do, as evidenced by its integration within the Gmail apps on mobile and web. Google Chat is now reportedly working on a rather essential feature we associate with most instant messaging apps today — voice messages.
Google Chat has undergone a couple of design changes since late last year, starting with the introduction of a bottom navigation bar on its mobile apps. This was followed up by a logo redesign in line with a few other Google Workspace apps. Google Chat is now picking up another visual upgrade with the addition of Starred messages on iOS and Android.
Google Spaces: How to set up and use Google's group collaboration platform
Turn your boring group chats into a productivity powerhouse with Google Spaces
Google Spaces has been through several iterations since its inception in 2016. It began as a desktop and mobile app to compete with Slack and provide a space for teams (or friend groups) to collaborate, chat, and share videos and other content. Like other Google social experiments, it was discontinued the following year, in April 2017. That wasn't the end of Spaces. When Google+ (and its enterprise-focused follow-up, Currents) was sunsetted, the Spaces brand was revived to scoop up functionality Google wanted to keep in its portfolio.
Google Chat is a collaborative messaging platform for formal and informal chat. Whether you want to start a group chat, collaborate with a team, or compose personal messages with your Gmail contacts, Google Chat can be an ideal pick. It replaces Google Hangouts and has a neat integration with other company apps. Here's how to use Google's latest messaging app on the desktop and mobile.
Redesigned Google Chat with floating tab bar rolling out on Android
It was previously unveiled in November
Google Chat unveiled its redesign back in November, and it’s changed mightily. The fresh look streamlines navigation with a new bottom bar that livens up the whole app experience, providing new menu options to choose from. Google announced the change in its Google Workspace Updates blog, but it’s taken a few weeks for the redesign to roll out onto our smartphones. Now, with a new Chat app update, users are starting to see the new UI on their devices.
Google Chat's new logo makes it indistinguishable from other Google apps
The business-focused chat app is the latest to get a multi-color logo redesign
Some people have been loud and clear about their dislike of Google's idea to tie-dye every logo in its Workspace suite. While the four primary colors might be eye-catching elsewhere, some users find it hard to differentiate between icons, especially at a glance. Regardless, Google Chat wasn't spared the same treatment, and now the Android version is proudly flaunting the same redesign.
Google Chat picks up a fresh look with a streamlined bottom navigation bar
The mobile app gains a lively redesign, adding some hustle and bustle to its navigation menu
Google Chat recently picked up a new icon and a redesigned navigation menu on the web with dedicated views for "Home" and "Mentions," joining "Starred" in the Shortcuts section. The search giant is now bringing those UI elements to a new bottom navigation bar on the Google Chat app for Android and iOS alongside other new tabs, making it easier to find what you need.
10 simple Google Chat tips and tricks to try today
Don't dismiss Google's Hangout successor without giving it a try
Google Chat is the successor of Hangouts and is now a part of Google's extensive suite of Workspace products. Besides regular users, Google is also targeting businesses and enterprises with Chat. Google Chat smart replies now work with group messages and spaces. The feature is currently limited to the web app but may soon be available on Android smartphones. The Spaces feature is for having productive conversations from which you can assign tasks, share files, and create new calendar events.
Google Chat smart replies now work in group messages and spaces
Machine learning powers Google Chat’s expanded smart replies
In the ever-evolving world of digital communication, convenience is king. Tech juggernauts continually strive to improve user experience, focusing on intuitive interfaces and intelligent features. Google Chat, part of the tech titan's extensive Google Workspace suite, is no stranger to this trend. Following the integration of features like smart compose and autocorrect, Google Chat now brings smart replies to group messages and spaces.
Google Chat is learning to play nice with Slack and Teams
A unified experience is on the horizon with Google Chat and Mio
We all have friends, family members, and other contacts scattered across various messaging apps. Navigating between the different platforms can lead to missed messages, segmented conversations, and a muddled user experience. However, recent developments promise to reduce these barriers, fostering a more unified approach to communication.
Google Chat's Slack-inspired redesign embraces useful AI features
A visual overhaul with new enterprise features and useful AI
When Google finished migrating the last few Hangouts users over to Chat late last year, it marked the symbolic end of a tumultuous journey that saw the company try its hand at what seemed like every messaging solution it could think of. By comparison, Google is laser-focused now, investing its efforts in Chat for web and enterprise users and RCS for texting. Now, the company has announced some major changes in the pipeline for Google Chat.
Google Chat remembers it exists on the internet, decides to support hyperlinks
Google Chat users can now hyperlink words with links
Google Chat is a great communication tool, but it has had a major flaw in regard to sharing links. Without being able to hyperlink a word, users have had to type out the entire URL or copy-paste it. It can really clutter a chat, making an unprofessional atmosphere, especially if it's a longer URL. Finally, Google has implemented a new feature that many chat systems — from Discord to Slack — have by default, the ability to hyperlink words in your messages.
Google Chat message quoting is coming to free Gmail accounts
You can finally have the last word in those heated debates
Chat systems have become essential to the work environment, especially as many offices move to a remote model. Managers can get their messages across instantly, teams can coordinate faster, and employees even get a way of developing office relationships without needing to leave their desks. Despite this, miscommunication can still occur, especially if someone responds to multiple messages simultaneously or you need to reply to an older message. With Google Chat's newest feature, it's easier to understand who the message is for and what the user is responding to.
Smart Compose creeps into Google Chat on the web
Google’s advanced autocomplete is finally available
Artificial intelligence and machine learning have made it much easier to perform everyday tasks, including communicating. Google has an ML-powered utility called Smart Compose, which takes the concept of autocomplete to the next level by suggesting entire phrases to finish sentences you’re typing out. The feature already helps alleviate the burden of repetitive writing in Docs and Gmail. Now, Smart Compose is rolling out to Google Chat on the web.
Google Chat's next update will make it easier to organize your conversations
Hidden chats can be resurrected with a single click
Serving as the successor to Google Hangouts for a while now, Google Chat has seen a couple of useful feature additions in the recent past. For instance, the web version of Chat received a Material Design refresh in April, followed by message quoting last month. Google is now announcing another update to the app aimed at hiding inactive chats and Spaces on the left-hand side of the screen.
Google Chat will let you quote messages, making channels even more cluttered
The app already offers in-line threads
Google Chat has seen a big overhaul since it absorbed the beloved Hangouts app. The service enjoys all the conventional chat features, including groups and individual texts. One of the pet peeves of people who use Google Chat is the lack of messaging quoting in replies. This generally wouldn't be considered a major omission since the app already offers in-line threads. But it's always nice to have that extra option in a communications app, and Google will recognize that with a new server-side update to the app rolling out now.