Google has added the ability to join one-on-one Google Chat voice and video calls from within the Gmail app, the company has announced.
Before now, it was possible to make calls from within the Gmail app on iOS and Android, but users had to send an invite to a Google Meet video conferencing call, which was more convoluted and limiting.
In future, however, users will be able to tap new phone and video icons that appear in the upper right corner of individual one-on-one chat screens in the Google Chat section of the app.
In addition, users who initiate a call from the Google Chat app will now be redirected to the Gmail app, highlighting Google's intention of putting the Gmail app at the center of its communication platforms.
The call feature is rolling out from December 6 for everyone with Google Workspace, G Suite, or personal Google accounts.
(Via The Verge.)
Top Rated Comments
Gawd, I miss the 80's Unix philosophy: "A program should do one thing and do it well."
An EMAIL app does not need video/audio calling features.
This is the only Google product I still use and I’ve hated every minute of it. I really need to move all my online accounts off of GMail.
A video call used to be a cool product/service, but now it's mainly just a feature that is added just about everywhere.