Google Introduces Predictive Smart Compose to Chat
Google has announced an AI update for its business app Chat, formerly known as Hangouts, on the web. The update includes “smart compose,” which suggests relevant phrases in context as users write, reducing repetitive typing and saving time. The goal is to facilitate quicker communication with colleagues and improve efficiency in moving conversations or projects forward.
Google is notorious for bundling communications around its messaging apps, so as I recall, Chat is the company’s chat app that was originally featured in a list of business offerings. It has similar features to the original Hangouts experience, but with updates like feedback and reply suggestions. Although it is designed for organizations, it is also available for free for individual users.
Chat got its Material Design treatment from Google earlier this year, tying it more tightly to Gmail, where it can be launched directly. In addition to new fonts, colors, canvas size, and other aesthetic changes, Google has introduced a new topic button designed to facilitate project collaboration.
Since chat has so much in common with Gmail, it makes sense to use the smart typing option in both apps. Google notes that it’s on by default and can be turned off by unchecking Smart Typing under Turn on predictive suggestions when composing a message on the web and desktop. As mentioned, the update is only for the web version – it’s rolling out now to Express Release domains, and will be coming to other domains starting June 26th.
