Google is making a move to make its Chat app more personal, taking inspiration from WhatsApp. The company is introducing seven new features to enhance the user experience and shift the platform’s focus away from being solely business-centric. While these updates may seem basic compared to similar services, it is a significant step for Google to catch up to its competitors. One of the new features allows users to edit or delete messages, a common functionality in other messaging platforms. Users can simply press and hold a message to choose the desired action. On the desktop version, hovering over the message and selecting Edit or Delete will do the trick. Another valuable addition is the ability to directly quote messages, ensuring the context is not lost in busy group chats. Additionally, Google Chat will now allow users to hide conversations that have been inactive for at least a week, helping to declutter the app. These updates are currently available, and users can install the patch as soon as it reaches their smartphones or desktop computers.
However, Google isn’t stopping there. The company has plans to add even more features to Google Chat in the coming weeks. Among these additions are read receipts for group chats, which will be rolled out by the end of the month. Profile pictures will be moved to the lower right-hand corner, and users will also be able to add hyperlinks to their messages. Surprisingly, this feature was not previously available on Google Chat. Furthermore, Google Chat will incorporate work-centric features such as the AI-powered Smart Compose, a tool already familiar to Gmail users. This feature will provide contextually-aware suggestions to help users avoid grammatical errors. It will be available to all web users in five languages, including English and Spanish.
While Google Chat is expanding its features to meet the diverse needs of its users, it is unclear why Google decided to compete with WhatsApp, a messaging service with billions of users. Initially, it seemed that Google Chat was designed primarily for work purposes, as even the upcoming redesign appears more suited for professionals rather than everyday users. However, this recent update challenges that assumption and raises questions about the platform’s intended focus.
If Google Chat’s new features seem excessive, there are alternative messaging apps available. TechRadar has provided a comprehensive guide to the best WhatsApp alternatives for Android and iPhone users. It remains to be seen whether these seven features are part of a focused vision for the future of Google Chat or simply an instance of Google needlessly expanding the platform. Nonetheless, Google’s decision to phase out Hangouts suggests that they are seeking a more efficient messaging solution.
