Google has detailed the brand new, current and upcoming modifications to its Messages app in an effort to advocate for the extra widespread adoption of the RCS messaging protocol. Apple chief Tim Prepare dinner lately made clear that the corporate has no plans to repair the ‘inexperienced bubbles’ texting expertise anytime quickly, however Google’s characteristic additions enhance messaging interoperability between iOS and Android. Earlier this 12 months, it rolled out an replace for the Messages app that allowed it to show iMessage reactions as emoji. Extra lately, it launched the power to react to SMS texts from iPhone customers with emoji reactions, as properly.
To make navigating busy group chats simpler, the app will quickly let customers reply to particular person messages when RCS is enabled — they merely should swipe on a specific message to answer. This may start rolling out within the coming weeks. Google has expanded entry to the Voice Message Transcription characteristic, as properly, giving individuals who personal a Pixel 6, Pixel 6A, Pixel 6 Professional, Samsung Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy Fold 4 the choice to learn the contents of a voice message as an alternative. The characteristic auto-transcribes voice messages utilizing machine studying and was solely beforehand accessible for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional.
One other new characteristic is the power so as to add reminders from proper inside the Messages app. Customers who set reminders for birthdays and anniversaries will even get a notification once they open the appliance. As well as, the app will now counsel “starring” a message to maintain monitor of vital info or scheduling Meet calls and creating Calendar occasions when acceptable.
Google has additionally given Messages an in-app YouTube participant, in order that customers will not have to depart the appliance when somebody sends them a hyperlink to a video on the platform. It is testing the aptitude that might enable customers to speak with companies on Search and Maps from inside the software in some nations, as properly. And for these flying United, take observe that the tech big has struck a cope with the airline to supply free messaging for passengers utilizing United WiFi beginning this fall.
Lastly, Google is updating its Messages, Telephone and Contacts icons to “to raised replicate right now’s fashionable messaging expertise” and to raised mix in with Google’s different apps.
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