Recently, Google Messages released a software update that expanded the messaging platform’s functionality and brought about several notable improvements.
Google has added seven new features to the Android operating system to enhance the user experience even further.
The release of Android 14 resulted in several improvements, and the Quarterly Releases’ incremental updates enhanced the Android experience even further.
“By replacing the outdated SMS and MMS protocols, users benefit from a more modern and secure messaging experience with typing indicators, read receipts, threaded replies, high-quality media sharing, improved group chats, better privacy like end-to-end encryption and more with RCS. RCS is a much better messaging protocol, and we know that people love using it”
“Today marks a new milestone that we are incredibly proud of: There are now more than one billion monthly active users with RCS enabled in Google Messages. We are grateful to our partners and our users that have advocated for RCS over the years — it’s been a lot of work to get here, and we want to thank you. Beyond Google Messages, there are other messaging clients that use RCS and we are pleased that Apple also took their first step two weeks ago in announcing that they’re embracing RCS” added Sanaz Ahari, VP and GM, Android and Business Communications of Google Messages
GOOGLE MESSAGES OFFERS PHOTOMOJI, VOICE MOODS, AND MUCH MORE
Google Messages has introduced several additional modifications and enhancements to improve the user experience overall. Let’s look through each in more detail:
1. PHOTOMOJI
Photomoji will allow users to transform their favourite photos into reactions with the help of on-device Google AI.
All they need to do is select a photo, choose the object they want to turn into a Photomoji, and send it.
The creations will be reusable, and they will be saved in a special tab. Even friends in group chats can share the Photomoji as well.
2. VOICE MOODS
The voice messaging feature would come to life with the Voice Moods feature.
The speaker can choose from nine distinct emotions, such as a heart-eye emoji, fireballs, or a party popper, so the recipient can hear the words together with a visual impact that conveys the user’s feelings.
Google has increased the bitrate and sample rate within its voice messages in light of user feedback, which has helped improve the audio quality overall.
3. SCREEN EFFECTS
With Screen Effects, the user’s words become stunning visual displays, bringing the messages to life with colourful animations. For example, when entering precise words like “I love you” or “it’s snowing,” The user will witness a symphony of colours and motion burst on the screen.
4. CUSTOM BUBBLES
With the Custom Bubbles feature, users can change the conversation’s background, bubble colour, and the individual they’re communicating with.
The user will need to choose a new colour for each chat if they wish to notice the difference.
After that, it will differentiate between conversations and prevent anyone from accidentally sending a weekend update through family group chat.
5.REACTION EFFECTS
One feature that will enhance the messaging experience and give the chats more energy is Reaction Effects. There is support for ten commonly used (👍❤️ 😂😮😡👎💩🎉😠😢) emoji expressions.
6. ANIMATED EMOJI
When we chat, the Animated Emoji will elevate the basic emoji expressions to a new level. It will furthermore provide a compelling burst of visual effects to each message.
7. PROFILES
Users can customise the phone number and pictures with their profile using the Profiles feature.
Furthermore, this feature will resolve the address issue while receiving messages from phone numbers that aren’t stored in the contacts.
Additionally, it will be particularly useful in group conversations as it will let the user know who the other participants are, at least.