Google Chat is the latest Workspace web app to receive a Material You redesign, following Gmail, Drive, and Docs/Sheets/Slides.
“Updated font, colors, layouts, panel sizing, and more” are some of Google’s claims. There are two layers to this upgrade, with the foundation, which is light blue, home to everything except the genuine discussion string, which stays white. At the top, there is also a search field shaped like a pill.
Specifically, you’ll notice changes to the top app bar, left navigation, main message view, compose setup, new topic button, and the threaded panel within direct messages and spaces.
This Material You update for Google Talk on the web is carried out now and will be completely accessible throughout the next few weeks:
- Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers
- Available to users with personal Google Accounts
In the meantime, the business informed users yesterday that Google Currents, which is Google+ for businesses, will cease operations on July 5. This includes the capability to designate a Space as a channel for announcements. Other features that are slated for “coming soon” include:
- Post view metrics: Discovery and connection
- Full Chat API: Apps and workflow integration
- Google Groups sync with spaces for membership management
- Space management tools in Admin Console
Spaces in Google Chat, which can accommodate up to 8,000 people, are the intended replacement, as Google continues to introduce “community” features.