Comment Away! Now You Can Chat on Google Docs and Sheets!
Since March 2022, Google Chat has become the preferred chat application for Google Workspace users, replacing the old Hangouts app. Recently, Google has been introducing significant updates to its Workspace applications, with a particular emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology. In August, Google enabled messaging interoperability between Google Chat and other platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. Now, the company has announced another major update for Google Chat. Let’s examine it in more detail.
Google Chat update
Until now, users received read-only notifications in Google Chat whenever a co-user made changes, such as requests or comments, to Google Drive. But with this new update, users can also reply to comments and resolve comments in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides right from Chat.
Additionally, Google now displays more of the content thread to give users more context when they respond to conversations. You can now also mention your colleagues when replying to comments in Google Chat. All these features are available to all Google Workspace customers and users with a personal Google Account.
Google says, “With these updates, you can more easily collaborate on Docs, Sheets, and Slides without leaving Chat.”
The update was released on November 14th and is being rolled out in stages, which means it may take up to 3 days for the changes to appear in Google Chat. Users can access it by installing the Drive app on Google Chat using the New Chat button in Google Chat.
Other Google Chat updates
Just a few months ago, the interoperability feature was introduced. It allows users to connect Google Chat with other communication tools used in the organization and receive all messages on one platform and reply to them from one window.
In addition, Google also announced a new voice messaging feature, calling it Voice Snippets. Google says it can save typing and give recipients a chance to hear the tone and context of the message. However, the announcement has just happened, and the feature is said to be released in the first quarter of 2024.
