Chat became less easy

You used to be able to immediately start typing to the end user.  Now, however, you choose chat, then you have to click or tab into the box, then type.   Really annoying.  

This may not seem like  a big deal, but when providing support and having several windows open .. its get super annoying..to be part way through a thought and realize your not typing anything because your not in the box...

Please address this..