Google has just made a big announcement regarding its Google Chat app – voice messages are now available on mobile devices! This highly anticipated feature has finally arrived, bringing with it a whole new level of convenience and efficiency to messaging.

Voice messages have been a staple in many chat applications for some time now, and for good reason. There are instances when typing out a message just isn’t practical, especially when you’re on the move. Voice messages offer a quick and easy way to communicate, while also preserving the nuances and tone of your message. They can be particularly useful for users with limited dexterity or visual impairments, serving as an important accessibility tool.

But Google isn’t stopping there – they have even more in store for Chat users. The company has promised that transcription for voice messages will be coming soon, making them searchable and easier to consume for those who prefer reading over listening.

Users can now send and receive voice messages in direct messages, group chats, and spaces within the Google Chat Android and iOS apps. While receiving voice messages is possible on the web, sending them through a browser is not yet supported. It’s worth noting that this feature is part of Google Workspace and will only be available to paid Enterprise users on specific tiers initially. We’re hopeful that this feature will eventually become more widely accessible to all users.

For those fortunate enough to have access to this feature, sending voice messages is simple – just open a direct message, group chat, or space, tap on the microphone icon, start speaking, and hit send. Once sent, voice messages behave just like text-based messages, allowing for quotes, reactions, and threaded replies.

The rollout of this feature will happen gradually for Enterprise users on different tracks. Users on the Rapid Release track can expect to see it as early as March 26th, with a two-week window before full implementation. The Scheduled Release track will follow suit on April 15th with a similar timeline for completion.

Stay tuned for more updates as Google continues to enhance the Google Chat experience with exciting new features like voice messaging!