Google Messages emoji reactions are getting a much-awaited update, allowing users to choose which emoji they want.
Emoji reaction customization is not entirely new. In fact, other messaging platforms like Meta's WhatsApp and Telegram enable users to customize their reactions.
(Photo : TENGKU BAHAR/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - A person holds an iPhone showing emojis in Hong Kong, on October 30, 2019.
Google Messages Emoji Reaction Gets More Customized Experience
As per the latest news report by 9to5 Google, the reaction feature on RCS chat has long been limited to six options. It includes the thumbs up, heart eyes, laughing with tears, wow face, crying, and angry emojis.
Although Google Messages users could simply type any emoji to reply to messages, it is more convenient to long press and tap a reaction.
However, given that it has been limited, some just opt to type out what was supposed to be their reactions.
(Photo : Leon Neal/Getty Images)
In this photo illustration, The Google logo is displayed on a mobile phone and computer monitor on August 09, 2017 in London, England. Founded in 1995 by Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Google now makes hundreds of products used by billions of people across the globe, from YouTube and Android to Smartbox and Google Search.
But this time, Google is testing an update to its emoji reaction feature. Besides the seven options, it now includes a new seventh option.
The last choice sports a smiley face that aptly comes with a "plus" mark. It essentially lets users change their reaction options with any emoji.
Once they click the plus option, the same emoji picker that shows up on your keyboard is going to pop up.
According to a news story by The Verge, Google is only testing this new react feature to some of its users. So if you are using RCS, you might have to wait until it fully rolls out to all users.
Read Also: Google Finally Brings iOS Reactions to Messages App | Additional Features to See
Similar to WhatsApp and Telegram's Emoji Features?
The Verge notes in its recent report that other messaging apps have offered users a more customized emoji reaction feature.
For instance, Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp have ditched the limitation for emoji reactions. But before doing so, these services used to have limited options, like how Google Messages work.
Besides the messaging apps of Meta, Telegram is now offering the same feature, but there's a catch. The option to choose any emoji as a reaction to texts is only available to the paying users of the privacy-focused service.
On the other hand, it looks like Google is offering its emoji reaction update free of charge. But for now, it is still in the testing phase. So only a few folks are getting their hands on it.
Related Article: Google Messages End-to-End Encryption for Group Chat Looks To Be in Testing Phase
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Teejay Boris
