As previewed in August of 2023, Google Chat is adding an audio-first meeting feature called “Huddles” that are described as being “instant-on.”
If that name is familiar, Google+ had a “Huddles” group (text) messaging feature, while Slack offers an equivalent capability.
The Google Chat version is accessed from the top-right corner of a (web) conversation. Huddles start an audio-first meeting, with a floating window displaying controls.
They are available in direct messages, group conversations, and Spaces. Recipients will “see a chat chip in your message thread that says [user] has started a huddle.”
You have the ability to add video, as well as share your screen. A toggle at the top lets you quickly end the Huddle. Behind-the-scenes, this is all powered by Google Meet.
Compared to manually sending a meeting link, Google says “huddles integrates directly and smoothly into the Chat experience.” The format is said to support “multi-tasking while in Chat as you can easily resize or share your screen.”
Huddles in the Google Chat website are rolling out over the coming weeks for Google Workspace:
- Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
- Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus
- Frontline Starter and Standard
- Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus
- Nonprofits
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