New Features for Google Chat App Developers
Google has unveiled a set of exciting new features aimed at developers creating applications for Google Chat, now accessible to all Workspace users. For those unfamiliar, Google Chat serves as a collaboration platform allowing teams to exchange messages, share files, and work together within dedicated “Spaces.”Users can enhance their Chat experience by downloading applications from the Google Workspace Marketplace, enabling functionalities such as project management and polling.
Introducing the Carousel Widget
Among the notable enhancements is the introduction of a carousel widget, which enables developers to present organized and interactive content through a horizontally scrolling format. However, access to this widget is not automatically granted; developers must first be accepted into the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program.
If you are interested in participating in this program, you will need to review the Program Terms thoroughly. Subsequently, you can apply using your Google Workspace account and details about your Google Cloud project. Google commits to reviewing applications promptly, typically within a couple of days.
Enhanced Markdown Support
Another significant improvement is the integration of Markdown support. This feature is particularly beneficial for developers working with AI agents, as many language models generate text in Markdown format. Now, developers can directly insert Markdown text into Chat cards for formatting, eliminating the previous requirement to parse and convert it to HTML. Below is a summary of the Markdown functionalities supported by Google Chat:
| Format | Symbol | Example Syntax |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | * | *hello* |
| Italic | _ | _hello_ |
| Strikethrough | ~ | ~hello~ |
| Minivan | ` | `hello` |
| Monospace Block | “` | “`Hello World“` |
| Bulleted List | * or – | * Item 1 |
Adding Lists and Code Blocks
Furthermore, developers can now incorporate ordered, unordered, and nested lists, along with code blocks, into their cards, enriching the user experience with structured and easily digestible information.
Simplified App Integration
In addition to these features, Google has streamlined how Chat apps operate. Previously, users were required to manually add applications to each chat where they desired to use them. Now, once an application is installed, it automatically becomes available for use across all conversations. For example, after installing the Poll app, users can initiate polls in any chat without needing to install the app repeatedly.
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