Google Chat may borrow this popular WhatsApp feature
We all know the feeling – group chats can get crazy. That constant stream of messages can be distracting, especially when you're juggling multiple projects. Well, it looks like Google Chat is taking on the chaos with a rumored new feature called "Announcements".
This sounds a lot like what we've seen on WhatsApp Channels and those X/Twitter Spaces. If you haven't tried them, these features let a select few send messages to a big audience, kind of like a one-way megaphone.
It looks like it will work this way: regular spaces are for brainstorming and teamwork, whereas the "Announcements" option is all about delivering updates without getting lost in a storm of replies.
When it comes to this feature, Google's got some serious contenders to think about. WhatsApp, Discord, Telegram – they've all got this broadcast thing down. Then there's the workplace side: heavyweights like Slack and Microsoft Teams could be in Google's crosshairs. However, it does make sense for Google to implement this into Google Chat as it would have everything under one roof, especially with their business-focused Workspace tools.
It sounds promising, but we'll have to wait for the official launch to see if this "Announcements" idea really takes off. Will it be the tool that adds a bit of order to Google Chat messaging? And will it be enough to sway users to use Chat instead of other solutions already available? Only time will tell.
This sounds a lot like what we've seen on WhatsApp Channels and those X/Twitter Spaces. If you haven't tried them, these features let a select few send messages to a big audience, kind of like a one-way megaphone.
What are Google Chat "Announcements"?
Thanks to the efforts of Android code expert @AssembleDebug (via Android Central), we have our first peek at how "Announcements" might work in Google Chat. Sure, we're still missing some details, but the idea is clear. Looks like Google Chat spaces may soon have two flavors: the classic collaborative kind, and the new broadcast-focused "Announcements" style.Google Chat is working on a new "Announcements" feature which will allow you to "Broadcast and share updates with your groups"
— AssembleDebug (@AssembleDebug) March 29, 2024
There isn't much info about it yet.#GappsLeaks#Androidpic.twitter.com/gW8leE24kq
It looks like it will work this way: regular spaces are for brainstorming and teamwork, whereas the "Announcements" option is all about delivering updates without getting lost in a storm of replies.
The big question now is who gets to hold that 'megaphone' in an Announcement space? Will it be just the creator of the space, or maybe a few designated announcers? To really compete with all the broadcast messaging tools out there, Google Chat will probably need to offer some flexibility on this.
When it comes to this feature, Google's got some serious contenders to think about. WhatsApp, Discord, Telegram – they've all got this broadcast thing down. Then there's the workplace side: heavyweights like Slack and Microsoft Teams could be in Google's crosshairs. However, it does make sense for Google to implement this into Google Chat as it would have everything under one roof, especially with their business-focused Workspace tools.
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