Slack gets Discord-like audio calling feature – IT Pro – News

Slack introduces Huddles. These are Discord-like spaces for audio conversations, where employees within a Slack organization can jump in and out at any time. The feature is currently rolling out to paid Slack teams.

In a blog post Slack states that the feature is intended for quick consultation, among other things, which does not necessarily require an extensive meeting to be scheduled. According to Slack, the feature can also be used to hold spontaneous and informal discussions and conversations, without having to schedule a meeting. That should be comparable to the spontaneous conversations that colleagues also had at the office before the corona pandemic.

With Huddles, Slack wants to lower the threshold to start audio conversations with each other. “With one click, a meeting can be started in any channel or DM, including the channels you share with people outside your company. Anyone in that channel is free to enter and exit the conversation as they please, as if they were walking past a desk,” the company said. Webcam images are not supported, but users can share their screens, for example to give presentations.

Slack also talks about new features to share video and voice messages with colleagues, as an alternative to ‘endless meetings and meetings’. For example, the company states that employees can record their pitches or ideas, instead of scheduling a stand-up meeting. This feature will be available to paying Slack users in “the next few months.”

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