A few years back, Google launched its new messaging app called Spaces.
Well, if you’ve been curious about it, today you are going to find out how to use Google’s new Spaces app!
How to Use Google’s Messaging App, Spaces?
I know you have at least one online messaging app on your phone be it WhatsApp, Messenger, Hike or Kik.
Maybe you are a consumer of a bunch of messaging apps. Hence, it is common to have a shadow of a doubt that what makes Spaces different from a plethora of other apps.
What is Google’s Spaces App?
Google knows their content sharing platform Google Plus is going the way of dinosaurs And, it wasn’t a very well-kept secret that they were looking for the best way to come up with another platform to replace Google Plus! That’s how the idea of Spaces came to be!
Truth be told, Spaces is not just a messaging app. Though it allows you to have conversations with your friends, it is more of an online content-sharing platform with the feature to choose who can see your shares.
What Makes Spaces Different from All the Other Messaging Apps?
Still, wondering why on earth you need to download Google’s Spaces app? Read the following point.
1. It’s not only a Messaging Platform
As I said earlier, it is not a one-to-one messaging platform on which you can chat with your close one. Spaces are intended for sharing content rather than interacting.
I would have called the Spaces to be a rather stupid endeavour if they had kept it to be a messaging app only simply because they already have a popular platform called Hangouts.
A venture becomes popular when it has got the potential to solve a problem. In that sense, Spaces is an amazing try to aid with people who are struggling to find perfection in group chats.
You could say it’s more of a social network with only the people you invite as members.
2. Spaces is not just a Mobile App
Secondly, don’t think Spaces to be a mobile app only. It is true that they have apps for both Android and iOS. But Google put a lot of effort into launching a web version as well.
By visiting spaces.google.com, you can do everything that you are able to do on the mobile app. The interesting fact is Google allows everyone to visit the web version from the mobile browser too.
How to Use Google’s Messaging App- With Download Link for Spaces?
I hope you got a concise idea of what Spaces is. Now, we are heading toward how to use Google Spaces.
I have divided this section into different subheads to make it easy to explore the usage of the app.
Downloading the App
If you are a mobile addict who prefers apps over web versions, you must download the app from Play Store or iTunes App Store depending on the mobile platform you are using.
You can also start using the web version by visiting spaces.google.com.
It is mandatory to have a Google account to get started. And, you need to sign into your account to start group chatting right away.
Creating a Space
The very first screen you see after signing into Spaces (either via app or web version) is a grid view of all your spaces. The chat rooms in this app are referred to as Spaces. If you are a new user, you don’t see any space there but a button that says Create a space along with a ‘+’ sign.
Clicking on that button will lead you to the group chat creation screen. A title, ‘Untitled space’ will be given by default which can be changed with a single click.
You can also choose a cover photo to make your space attractive.
When you are done with the title and cover image, it’s time to invite people to take part in your group sharing cum chatting room.
Right now, you are provided with three ways to invite friends to join your space; sharing direct links, email, and Facebook.
So you have got an overview of how to use Google’s messaging app.
Sharing Content
Sharing content on the Spaces app is not a Herculean task. You can get the share box in two ways as depicted in the second image under the previous section.
The following is the sharing box you get on the web version.
You can share four types of posts on Spaces.
Links: – Whenever you find an interesting article on the web, just come here and use this option to share the same with like-minded people in your space.
Images: – It possible to use your camera (on the app) and pictures from the Photos app. You can also upload images from the storage as well.
Text: – It is like a status on Facebook. You can create a dedicated space for bookworms and post a review using this feature.
YouTube Video (app only): – The direct option to share YouTube videos is not available on the web version. Still, you can share it using the links feature by pasting the video link there.
Starting Conversation
You will notice the small size of images in the newsfeed. It is because the right portion is dedicated to communications.
You can start conversations under any of your (or others’) shares. Surprisingly, the text box has got stickers, image, and video embedding options. And, you don’t have to leave the app to see a preview of the shared images or videos.
Searching Between Shares
How can Google be blind toward search?
You can efficiently search through the previous shares to find out a specific item.
The best thing about it is the image search itself. Searching for content inside a photo is quite easy here.
Conclusion: Can Spaces Be a Trendsetter?
I really think it has got the potential to be a trendsetter. But do remember the fact that the app is still an infant and they haven’t got rid of bugs completely.
The grid view of posts on the iOS app wasn’t impressive at first look. Plus, there’s no sign for Gmail integration.
Nevertheless, I am with Google Spaces. Now, I can interact with my close ones with a lot of features like never before.
What do you think? Have you downloaded Google Spaces? Don’t you know how to use Google’s messaging app now?
Let me know in the comment section below.
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