previewed the voice message feature for its video calling platform, Google Chat, in 2023. The tech giant is now rolling out support for voice messages for some accounts. Google noted that voice messages in
Google Chat
have been a “highly requested feature” and has also explained how this new feature can be helpful for users.
In a blog post, Google explains: “Sending a voice message instead of typing enables you to save time, convey more information, and emphasize the most important information for the message receiver.”
Google Chat voice messages: Availability
Initially, Google Chat voice messages will be available only for paid Workspace accounts.
This includes Workspace Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus users. Free and cheaper accounts won’t be able to access the feature for now.
Google has also confirmed that it has already started rolling out the feature and will be available over the coming weeks. The feature will currently be available only on mobile devices. The company also noted that the feature will soon be available on Google Chat’s web client.
Google Chat voice messages: How to use
Once this feature is functional, users who access Google Chat on Android and iPhones will be able to see that the greyed-out send icon next to the photo/gallery button has been replaced by a microphone when they open a conversation. Instead of being placed in the ‘plus’ menu at the left, Google has given the feature a prominent position in the UI.
Users can start recording voice messages by tapping the microphone button. To record voice messages users won’t need to hold down on the mic as a live waveform alongside a timer will visualise the user’s voice. Users can play back their messages before sending or delete them to try again.
The sent message will appear in direct messages, group chats, and
Spaces
as a waveform housed by a pill-shaped container. Other users can quote, react and reply to it like any other Chat message. Google has also confirmed that it “will be enabling transcription for voice messages in the coming months.”
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