Google Chat is reintroducing a small tweak that could help your boss control what you're doing and when.
In a blog post, Google says it's going back to idle, indicated by an orange icon, apparently to make it easier to see which of your co-workers are actually there.
"In Google Chat on the web and Chat in Gmail, you'll see an orange clock badge for users who were recently active in Chat, but aren't currently active," the company says. "We hope this makes it easier for you to determine the best time to connect with your colleagues."
google chat idle
The idle status appears after five minutes of inactivity, according to 9to5Google. In 2020, Google introduced Away (indicated by an empty circle) and Do Not Disturb (red circle), making it easy to show what you're doing.
The update is very nostalgic in a way, taking us back to the era of MSN status messages and all the fun one could have. However, in a professional context, it might work a bit differently than when your mother boots you from the PC.
A battle for work
Google is currently in an intense battle with Microsoft, Slack and other workplace communication apps, especially as remote and hybrid working seem to be here to stay.
Microsoft has made great strides with Microsoft 365 and Teams, using its existing relationships with many large companies to solidify its place as one of the essential facets of every employee's life.
But Google has been quietly working in the background, improving its Google Workspace toolset. The fact that Google Docs is available for free is also a big plus, especially for students.
Still, Google has struggled to maintain its messaging apps, a notoriously tricky area for the company, and the latest change to Google Chat likely won't help, at least when it comes to employees.