Google Workspace has introduced new features to its chat platform in a bid to make it even more collaborative, but things could get more confusing for some users.
The company announced (opens in a new tab) the updates at its Google Cloud Next '22 event, introducing threading and chat overlays, which can complicate things for non-IT workers.
Previously, Google Chat spaces could accommodate up to 400 members, making the platform unsuitable for large-scale messaging in large organizations. That number has now been increased 20 times to a limit of 8,000, which the company hopes will help broaden the app's appeal.
Google chat update
However, anyone familiar with the Slack interface will already understand how to add threads and comments on individual posts in a space, which Google says will allow for "smaller groups of people." start a conversation about a specific topic.
The delay feature is designed to be easy to use, with indicators such as notification badges and direct "@" mentions, but some users may find it difficult to keep up with platform-wide notifications, which are not hosted in one location. central.
We already know Google's version of discussion groups, Spaces, organized by topic. This format will remain supported until early 2023, when the thread-based system will become the only option for newly created spaces.
However, existing spaces in the old layout will not be affected. So if users would rather stop slowing down Google's online collaboration tool, they should create their Spaces before the feed takes over.
The feature has already been rolled out to all Google Workspace customers, including previous G Suite Basic and Business plans, and is also available to personal Google account holders.