Google Chat, the increasingly popular communication tool, is evolving to offer an even more seamless and user-friendly experience. In a recent announcement, Google unveiled several new features, including Smart Compose, message editing, the ability to quote messages in group chats, read receipts for group messages, direct text linking, options to hide inactive conversations, and the addition of apps for enhanced functionality.
Perhaps the most noteworthy of these new features is Smart Compose. Already available in Gmail and Google Docs, Smart Compose assists users in crafting responses in Google Chat. It offers contextually-aware suggestions, which could significantly reduce spelling and grammar errors. When a suggestion appears as you type in Chat, hitting the tab key will accept it. Smart Compose is currently rolling out in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese to all Google Chat web users.
In addition to Smart Compose, Google Chat now allows users to edit and delete their messages, a feature that can help ensure clarity and accuracy, or simply allow a user to start a message over if necessary. This feature is now available to all Chat users.
Google Chat has also introduced a way to quote a message in a group chat, which can help keep conversations organized and clear, especially in fast-moving group chats. This feature is now generally available to all Chat users.
Google has also addressed the issue of message delivery confirmation with the rollout of read receipts for group messages. This feature allows you to see when someone has read your message, with their avatar appearing below it. This feature is rolling out for group messages on mobile and the web this month.
The ability to link directly to the text in your messages, similar to the functionality found in Google Docs or Slides, will be available in the coming weeks on the web and Android. This feature allows users to share links to relevant resources without cluttering the conversation with long URLs.
To reduce clutter, Google Chat now hides direct messages and spaces that have been inactive for the last seven days. Users can see their full list of conversations by toggling the “More” button, and inactive conversations will automatically resurface when a new message is posted. This feature is generally available now for all Chat users.
Google Chat is enhancing its functionality by allowing users to add apps to their personal Chats and spaces. This feature will be generally available in the coming weeks.
