Slack 2.0: What We’d Love to See
As we built the Switchboard 1.0 app, we often heard feedback like, “It’s like Slack, but for audio!” This fueled us to explore new ways to bridge communication gaps, especially in remote work. While tools like Slack have been instrumental in shaping remote work, they lack the feeling of being together in person. Audio bridges a lot of that gap, while features like music, presence indicators, auto-status updates, and other features can get us even closer to the in-person experience. But while we were able to validate a number of behaviors in the Switchboard 1.0 app, we realized that our audio-focused innovations were ideally suited as core features within Slack itself. Teams want their communications centralized in one place, and Slack is the natural place to do that. But Slack still has a lot of room for improvement. And we think it will need to innovate as a number of cheaper competitors are gunning for it with all of the same features, and then some.
Slack’s Huddles: A Step Forward
With Huddles, Slack took a step toward casual drop-in audio. Built in partnership with Amazon Chime, Huddles improved Slack’s audio stack, making it easier to initiate conversations without the formality of a scheduled call. But as we learned with Switchboard, there’s a lot of unrealized potential.
What We’d Love to See in Slack 2.0
Here’s our wish list for a truly immersive, collaborative Slack experience:
More Interactive Channel TypesImagine channels where teams can watch videos together, listen to music, or even play games directly within Slack. These channels could be designed specifically for different types of collaboration, whether it’s brainstorming over music or catching up with a video.
Enhanced Audio and Video IntegrationAudio and video channels could benefit from more advanced features, like real-time audio spatialization or smart ducking (reducing background audio or a shared media player when someone speaks). These features would enhance virtual presence, making conversations feel more organic and in-the-moment.
Metaverse-Ready FeaturesWhile working in VR might seem futuristic, the rise of immersive digital spaces is undeniable. Picture Slack channels as virtual rooms, where teams can “meet” in shared 3D environments. Simple, customizable spaces for brainstorming or virtual coffee chats could help bring a sense of presence to remote teams, an experience we are building with Switchboard’s Ronday app.
Bridging the Physical Divide
As a remote team ourselves, we deeply understand the desire to bridge the gap between virtual and in-person communication. Experimenting with new modes of communication is part of our daily routine, as we continually use Switchboard’s example apps to enhance team collaboration. While Slack has been integral in the digital workspace, the next evolution will require deeper integrations, bridging audio, video, and virtual spaces.