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