Google Chat has finally launched its "huddles" feature, a Google Meet-powered addition that enables users to start instant meetings with their coworkers. The feature, announced over a year ago, has begun rolling out and is expected to reach all Workspace users by January 6th.

The "huddles" feature is reminiscent of Slack's Huddles, with the same exact name, sparking questions about the similarities between various office suites. The feature allows users to start a quick call with their coworkers by clicking a dropdown menu at the top of a chat and selecting "Start a huddle." This opens an audio call invite that can be converted into a Google Meet-style video chat, complete with screen sharing capabilities for a more comprehensive meeting experience.

Since its relaunch last year, Google Chat has introduced several features, including Gemini-powered AI summaries, the ability to reply to or tag coworkers, and a voice-recording feature. While these additions have enhanced the user experience, many users may have preferred the introduction of huddles earlier in the development process.

The rollout of huddles marks a significant step in Google Chat's evolution, as it seeks to compete with popular collaboration tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. The feature's similarity to its counterparts in these platforms underscores the increasing convergence of office suites, with each player aiming to provide a comprehensive suite of collaboration tools.

As the collaboration landscape continues to evolve, the introduction of huddles in Google Chat is likely to have significant implications for the industry. With major players like Google, Microsoft, and Slack continually updating their offerings, users can expect a more seamless and integrated collaboration experience across different platforms.

In conclusion, the launch of huddles in Google Chat marks a significant milestone in the platform's development, bringing it more in line with its competitors. As the collaboration landscape continues to shift, it will be interesting to see how Google Chat and its rivals innovate and adapt to meet the evolving needs of users.