Google has plans to introduce more features to Google Chat in the coming weeks. Read receipts, already available for direct messages, will be rolled out to group chats by the end of the month. Profile pictures will be moved to the lower right-hand corner, and the ability to add hyperlinks to text will be introduced on the web and Android versions of Google Chat.
The patch also includes some work-centric features. AI-powered Smart Compose, a tool already present in Gmail, will provide contextually-aware suggestions to reduce grammatical errors in messages. Third-party app support is also in the pipeline, though currently limited to business-related apps like Asana.
The expansion of Google Chat’s features raises questions about its intended focus. Originally designed for work purposes, the recent update suggests a shift towards a broader user base. While Google aims to meet the needs of its users, it remains to be seen whether competing with WhatsApp, a service with billions of users, is a wise decision. It is crucial for these features to align with a focused vision for the platform’s future, rather than Google unnecessarily bloating Chat. This update also challenges the perception that Chat is solely for professionals, especially considering the upcoming redesign.
