After rolling out several updates for the app this year, Google detailed the new features for the upcoming Messages app update.
This illustration picture taken on April 19, 2018 in Paris shows the tablet and smartphone app for Google. LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images
(Photo : LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images) This illustration picture taken on April 19, 2018 in Paris shows the tablet and smartphone app for Google.
RCS Adoptation
Changes for the Messages app are coming as Google updates it with new features as the company advocates the adoption of the RCS messaging protocol, as reported by The Verge. Users will be required to have RCS to enable some of these features.
As per Android and Google Business Communication Sanaz Ahari, Google has been aiming to adopt RCS for a long time to be the primary infrastructure for mobile messaging and the company wants to adopt this as soon as possible. She stated, "From a Google perspective, we think every Android user should just have to message over Wi-Fi."
New Features
Several features can support this online protocol like encryption, multimedia, interactive features, and more. According to Engadget, this includes the ability for Android users to react to SMS texts from iPhone users with different emoji reactions.
When RCS is enabled, the Messages app will allow its users to respond to some of the individual messages for them to easily access the group chats. Google also expanded its access to the Voice Message Transcription feature using machine learning. Previously, it was only available to some of Google's mobile devices.
Setting reminders through the Messages app will also be added as a new feature. Through this, a notification will be given by the application as a reminder for users to that certain event that they have set through the app.
For users to not leave the application when a YouTube link has been sent to them, Google will be adding the embed feature. The company is currently testing the ability of the users to chat with businesses on Search and Maps within the applications.
United and Google also made a deal for its users to be offered free messaging when boarding or in flight, with the use of United's WiFi, which will start this coming Fall. Google concluded the announcement by stating that they will be updating the icons for the Messages, Phone, and Contacts app as the company embraces and joins the modern messaging experience.
Ahari has been very vocal about its stand on why RCS is not yet everywhere. She stated that Apple is the reason despite many conversations simultaneously happening between the Android and Apple ecosystems. She also added that it is already time for SMS to stop operating in favor of RCS to move forward.
Release Date
Based on a report from 9To5Google, the group end-to-end encryption for Messages app is currently in testing with the developers and will be starting to roll out later this year. Meanwhile, some features like replies and transcription are already available in the beta testing. While YouTube embed and SMS reactions will start to be rolled out in the upcoming weeks.
