Google Chat is rolling out a new feature called huddles, which is powered by Google Meet, allowing users to quickly initiate calls with their coworkers. Google initially announced this feature over a year ago as part of a customer preview, but there hasn’t been much progress or updates on its availability until recently. The company has now confirmed that the huddles feature is starting to roll out to users and will be accessible to all Workspace customers by January 6th.
For those familiar with Slack’s Huddles feature, Google’s version is very similar in terms of functionality and even shares the same name. In an increasingly competitive landscape of office productivity tools, many of the features offered by these platforms are overlapping, with companies constantly introducing comparable functionalities. In this case, Google is following in Slack’s footsteps, offering a feature that streamlines communication, making it easy to jump into a quick call within a chat window.
Starting a huddle is easy. Users can click on the dropdown menu at the top of any ongoing chat and simply select the option that says “Start a huddle.” Once selected, it will initiate an audio call invitation, which can then be upgraded to a full Google Meet-style video call with just a click. This feature supports screen sharing, which can be very useful for virtual meetings and collaboration, allowing users to multitask while keeping the conversation within the Chat interface.
This update to Google Chat comes after several other additions over the past year. Among these are Gemini-powered AI summaries, which help users quickly catch up on conversations, the ability to tag coworkers and reply directly within a conversation, and even a voice recording feature for hands-free communication. These updates have gradually enhanced the overall Google Chat experience, but many users have expressed that having the huddle feature sooner would have been a more immediate benefit, especially for teams that need fast and effective communication tools.
The huddles feature is part of Google’s larger strategy to improve its workspace tools, enhancing collaboration and communication within Google Chat. By integrating a quick-call feature directly into the chat interface, Google is making it easier for teams to interact without the need to schedule a formal meeting through Google Meet or other communication platforms. This flexibility can be especially beneficial for teams working remotely or in hybrid environments, where spontaneous collaboration is often necessary.
While it’s true that the launch of huddles might have been anticipated much earlier, especially considering how essential rapid communication is in modern work environments, it’s still a welcome addition. The feature’s integration with Google Meet allows for a seamless transition from text-based communication to voice and video calls without having to leave the Google Chat interface. This is a convenience that many users will likely appreciate, as it reduces the need to switch between multiple platforms for different types of communication.
Looking ahead, Google may continue to refine the huddle feature, adding more capabilities to enhance its usefulness for users. The ability to switch between audio and video calls easily, alongside screen sharing, could potentially evolve to include additional features like virtual whiteboards, background blur, or other tools commonly found in professional video conferencing. However, for now, the introduction of huddles marks a significant improvement in the way teams can interact and collaborate within Google’s ecosystem of tools.
In conclusion, Google Chat’s huddles feature is a long-awaited addition that promises to make communication between colleagues faster and more efficient. With its seamless integration into the Google Chat interface, the ability to easily start audio or video calls and share screens within ongoing conversations adds a new level of convenience. While other features like AI summaries, tagging, and voice recording have been valuable updates, huddles fill a crucial gap for users seeking quick, ad-hoc communication solutions. The rollout of this feature will be completed by January 6th, making it widely available for all Workspace users, and it will likely become a go-to option for teams looking to enhance their collaboration in the workplace.