Google is further expanding its Workspace features, creating a central hub for all Google communication apps.
Google is adding the ability for its users to “ring” each other directly from inside the Gmail mobile app with Google Meet – without needing to switch between apps.
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Demonstrating the importance that Google places on developing Gmail, it is the first place where the the calling feature is being integrated. Similar to Outlook, Google is looking to build a central hub for multiple services: from email, to one-on-one and group chats, videoconferencing, and now calls. Effectively, Gmail now comprises four tabs: email (Gmail), Chat, Spaces, and Meet.
Google has rebranded “Rooms” as “Spaces” and the Slack-like group chat product now offers a search function and full support for threaded messages, with up to five threads columns simultaneously present on a screen.
Additionally, Google is updating its Calendar to let users add their location to a meeting RSVP, will be launching the so-called “Companion mode” feature in November, and expanding the “Series One” line of Google Meet-compatible hardware.
Finally, Google is partnering with Cisco to ensure that hardware designed for Google Meet will be able to dial into Webex meetings and vice versa.
The redesign is rolling out to enterprise users first, in the coming weeks, before beginning to appear in Gmail for all users.