Slack, however, is not one of these new solutions. Created in 2013, Slack has been helping businesses big and small to communicate digitally for almost eight years, and its newest feature called Slack huddles is looking to take this to the next level.
What Is Slack huddles?
Slack huddles is an audio-only call feature that aims to bring the spontaneous and informal nature of in-person office communication to the digital realm.
Getting started with Slack has always been easy, and its huddles feature is no exception. By simply clicking the headphone toggle in the bottom-left of the Slack screen you can create a Slack huddle in any channel or even in a direct message with one of your co-workers.
Once in, you can create an invite to send to those you want to join or wait for people to pop in of their own accord. You’ll be able to hear each other’s voices without the pressure to spruce up for the camera, and you can even share your screen if the need arises.
Once in, you and your co-workers will be able to drop in and out like in any natural conversation. The goal here is to emulate the feeling of being in a real office space where you can drop by one another’s desk to hash out details without having to schedule time for a meeting.
As such, the huddle lasts for as long as there are people in it, meaning you can start up a chat while you drink your coffee and then leave it when you’re finished without having to worry about disrupting the conversation for others.
Slack huddles can support up to 50 people. It even features captioning of what you and your co-workers are saying for those who want it. Currently, this feature only works in English, but Slack has plans to offer a wider range of languages in the future.
What Else Does Slack Have to Offer?
Slack huddles isn’t the only new feature being rolled out to make working from home easier. Slack has also announced two new features that will release worldwide to further its efficiency.
Asynchronous Video, Voice, and Screen Recordings
Don’t worry if that sounds complicated. This is a simple feature that can have a big impact on how you communicate digitally at work.
Finding a time that works for everyone can be pretty difficult, especially when your team members are working across multiple time zones or on different schedules.
Slack has an alternative where anyone can make recordings that can be sent and viewed anytime. You can use these recordings creatively: make short pitches, make brief conversations more personal, or even demonstrate a problem visually.
To support this feature, Slack has added expanded playback features for these recordings and third-party videos. You will now be able to speed up and slow down content, read transcripts, and view them from the phone when on the move.
Like with Slack huddles, live captions are available for them as well. As with huddles, only English is currently supported, with more language options to follow.
Scheduled Messaging
As the name implies, scheduled messaging will allow you to choose exactly when you want your messages to be sent. This feature is a standard with most email service providers, but it’s being introduced on services like Slack and Discord.
A wider range of messaging options fit into different work scenarios. With the facility to send messages at scheduled times, you will be able to automate digital meetings. Just record your idea, pitch, or thoughts at your own convenience, and then set the message to be sent at the meeting’s start.
Why Are These Slack Updates Important?
Working from home has recently seen a meteoric rise in popularity. Even though many of you will or already have begun to return to the workplace, it’s clear that working from home is here to stay in one form or another.
Many want to continue working from home, and global businesses with employees working from around the globe are becoming more and more commonplace. The hybrid workplace is beginning to emerge, and the lifestyle hinge upon technology like Slack to operate at their maximum potential.
But video fatigue, scheduling conflicts, and poor organization are all prevalent problems in these new ecosystems. Though these new features will inevitably come with their own concerns, they represent the beginning of a more streamlined workplace.
How Can I Get Access to These New Features?
Slack is designed for remote users, but unfortunately, Slack huddles is not available for everyone just yet. The feature is gradually rolling out and only for customers on Slack’s paid subscriptions.
However, if you are looking to try its asynchronous recording features, the rollout will not begin until some time over the coming months.
Slack has stated that their scheduled messaging features are already being rolled out regardless of subscription or the size of your company.
Use Slack to Achieve More
It’s easy to get started with Slack, but there’s always more to learn to streamline your productivity. However, customizing the platform to get the most out of it can be easy and fun for you to do so that you and your company can get the most out of it.
New features aren’t the only way. There are plenty of existing features hiding under the surface just waiting for you to dive in.
