Google seems to be planning some major changes for messaging, and its Android Messages could soon allow users to send text messages from the web.
There's no shortage of messaging apps on the market and Google itself has a few of its own including Hangouts and the newer Allo, but the company still lags behind rivals such as Apple's iMessage, Facebook's Messenger, and WhatsApp.
A new version of Android Messages, however, seems to be packing major changes under the hood. While the UI will remain largely the same, Google will spice things up behind the scenes and add extra functionality.
Android Messages To Allow Texts From The Web
The folks over at Android Police tore down the code for the latest Android Messages version and found some exciting clues. First of all, it seems that Google is gearing up to launch a new web interface that would finally allow users to pair their smartphones with their PCs and text from the Web.
This feature might function in a similar fashion to WhatsApp Web, which requires users to scan a QR core to pair their handset with their computer. This could come in handy for longer messages, or for those who prefer typing on a computer keyboard rather than a phone.
According to Android Police, Google could come up with its own advanced chat features for RCS messaging. At the same time, it seems that the company is also looking to implement features that would allow users to shop from various companies directly from Android Messages.
Android Messages Teardown
It's worth pointing out, however, that while teardowns offer valuable clues regarding what a new app version might bring to the table, they don't necessarily mean that those features will actually go live. Teardowns are often based on bits of information and they speculate what should make its way to the next version, but can't guarantee that the features tested will make it to the final update.
"It's possible that the guesses made here are totally and completely wrong. Even when predictions are correct, there is always a chance that plans could change or may be canceled entirely," Android Police notes. "Much like rumors, nothing is certain until it's officially announced and released."
That said, if everything goes right, Google might implement these new features in a future version of Android Messages. Until the company makes an official announcement, however, it's best to take things with a grain of salt.
