Google Chat rolling out audio ‘Huddles’ powered by Meet

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

More on Google Chat:

• Google Chat redesigns sidebar with customization & ‘custom sections’
• Google Chat rolls out voice messages to free Gmail accounts
• Google Chat rolling out split pane UI on the web
• Gemini side panel rolling out to Google Chat for Workspace