Arrr! Avast ye mateys! Google Messages be sportin' a fancy update, makin' it look akin to th' iPhone's Messages app, methinks!
2023-11-30
Arrr, ye scurvy app be implementin' its own tale o' Contact Poster called Profiles! And 'tis not all, me hearties, thar be full-screen animations for texts now, makin' it a jolly good time for all ye landlubbers!
Google is celebrating one billion monthly active users on its Messages app by introducing new customization options. Some of these features are similar to those found on Apple's Messages app, such as Photomoji, which allows users to clip specific parts of a photograph and use them as emoji reactions. Cutouts are saved for reuse and can be used by other people in a group chat. Google Messages also adds Profiles, where users can create an introductory biography about themselves, and animated Screen Effects, although they require specific prompt words to activate.Other unique inclusions in the update include Voice Moods, which let users add emojis to voice recordings, and Custom Bubbles, which allow users to change the color scheme of a chat. Reaction Effects play short animations when reacting to a message with an emoji, and standalone emojis have extra visual effects. Some features are still in beta and require becoming a beta tester for Google Messages.
In addition to the Messages update, Google is adding new features to other Android platforms. Wear OS smartwatches can now control more smart appliances, the TalkBack tool is getting an AI voice to help blind people understand content, and Live Caption on smartphones will be available in more languages.
Overall, Google's update to its Messages app brings fun and customizable features similar to Apple's Messages app, while also introducing unique additions. This update caters to the growing number of monthly active users on the platform and aims to enhance the messaging experience for Android users.