Microsoft rumoured to be developing a Slack competitor

Microsoft isn’t resting on its laurels and is supposedly developing its own Slack-like messaging software. MSPowerUser reports the new effort will be called Skype Teams and will target the large teams and newsrooms that make use of Slack. The program will also leverage Skype’s core feature set and supposedly looks similar to Slack. It’ll have both channels and private messaging for groups, file-sharing, and the integration of fun features like emojis and GIFs. Skype Teams will also have a Threaded Conversations feature, which will let users respond directly to a comment, much like how Facebook’s comment threads work. Of course, there will also be able to start video chats within channels and in private messages.

Slack introduces voice calls, brings group calls to paying users

Slack is officially moving away from being a messaging service to bringing in voice calls. All users, whether you use Windows or Mac apps, Google Chrome extension, or Android and iOS apps, have access to one-on-one voice calls. You should see a phone icon in the upper right portion of the channel header for those on the desktop, while those using the mobile app can “Start a call” in the app’s channel or DM drop-down menu.

If you want to make group calls in any channel or group DM, you need to be part of a paid team.  If someone from your team starts a group call, you’ll get a message prompting you to join the call. As mentioned before, calls also have the emoji response feature, which allows you to share what you think about the call or the topic you’re talking about.

Source: Slack

Slack update brings call capability to mobile beta apps

Android and iOS beta users of Slack are getting access to calls using their devices. Calls, the Slack term for this feature, has been available for desktop users who activated the feature since last month. Now, to use it on your mobile app, you just need to open an individual or group direct message and then tap on the small arrow icon to show the menu. Near the end of the menu there’s a feature that says “Call (user).” The feature has been made available since late last week.

Source: The Next Web

Slack introduces voice calls to desktop apps and web browsers

Internal collaboration tool Slack is branching out from its text communication background to add voice calls into the mix. The app now allows for either one-on-one calls or conference calls of up to 15 people. The new feature is in beta and is available for less than half of its users (administrators can check for availability here). Those who do have access to it can start using the feature from the Mac and Windows apps as well as from Google Chrome browser. Like with other messaging apps that have call functions, you can tap on the handset icon within a messaging window to start audio calls. Those on the other end get a pop-up notification for the call and it’s up to them whether they’ll pick it up or not.

Meanwhile, those in a channel (a room full of people), the callers are first prompted to make sure they want to start a voice call and then they have to create a name for the call. A message will then appear in the channel that will allow up to 15 people to join, as previously mentioned. Once on a call, users who are part of the discussion can still post emojis to share how they feel about it. The feature is optional so teams who don’t want to have to deal with voice calls can turn the setting off. Slack plans to bring the feature to its mobile apps and its Linux apps in the future.

Source: PCWorld