As we enabled in April, Google Messages is redesigning the compose/text field in Messages to return to a single line. It follows Messages widely rolling out the audio recorder redesign and Selfie GIFs.
Expand Expanding Close
In addition to Gemini Advanced with 1.5 Pro, Google today is rolling out Gemini in Messages on Android and the YouTube Music Extension.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s work on letting you edit an RCS chat continues with some Messages users on Android already seeing this capability. This would bring Google Messages inline with other modern messaging services.
Expand Expanding Close
After adding a custom camera, Google Messages should be in the process of rolling out “Selfie GIFs.”
Expand Expanding Close
Following the announcement alongside other expressive features last November, Google Messages is now more widely rolling out — especially to beta users — Voice Moods and a redesign of the audio recorder interface with noise cancellation. This follows Google adding voice memo support to the Messages Wear OS app in October.
Expand Expanding Close
As desired by more than a few users, Google Messages is getting ready to add a “Show expressive animations” setting to presumably turn off Reaction and Screen Effects.
Expand Expanding Close
Quite a few of Google’s Wear OS apps already offer Tiles, with more from Messages and Wallet maybe on the way if a Play Store collection is to be believed.
Expand Expanding Close
After previewing in late November, Google Messages is slowly rolling out Custom Bubbles that let you theme the color and background of RCS chats.
Expand Expanding Close
While I like Google’s particular brand of whimsy, the Messages app should really add an in-app setting to turn off its animations and other expressive effects.
Expand Expanding Close
While it’s not live just yet, it appears that Google Messages is adding support for powerful parental controls that can stop a user from sending a message until they’re granted approval.
Expand Expanding Close
A small change to Google Messages settings moves where you can find who’s providing your Rich Communication Services (RCS).
Expand Expanding Close
Late last year, Messages introduced a redesign of the compose box that introduced a shortcuts bar. A new Google Messages design is now being readied that reverses the signature trait and consolidates the text field into a single line.
Expand Expanding Close
Ahead of Android 15, Google Messages is continuing work on supporting satellite connectivity, with the latest revealing more about how it might work.
Expand Expanding Close
The Android website has added a new landing page for Google Messages that talks about the first-party messaging experience, while also noting that RCS on the iPhone is coming in fall 2024.
Expand Expanding Close
Following the announcement a month ago, Gemini is starting to roll out for some Google Messages beta users.
Expand Expanding Close
After revamping the in-app camera, Google Messages is testing a photo preview screen on Android.
Expand Expanding Close
Profile discovery was announced last November and it’s now seeing a wider Google Messages rollout with the most obvious change being updated contact photos.
Expand Expanding Close
While we’re waiting for the audio recorder redesign with noise cancellation and Voice Moods to become available, Google Messages has updated the playback UI to make use of the new Material 3 slider.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Messages is rolling out its own camera UI that replaces your phone’s default viewfinder.
Expand Expanding Close
Following Photomoji, animated emoji, and some Screen Effects, Reaction Effects are seeing wide availability in Google Messages for Android.
Expand Expanding Close
In recent weeks, Android users with rooted or bootloader unlocked phones have found that RCS in Google Messages does not work.
Expand Expanding Close
As we previously spotted, Google Messages is beginning to roll out a new in-app contacts page with a touch of Material You.
Expand Expanding Close
As we previously spotted, Gemini is coming to Google Messages as a chatbot that helps you “draft messages, brainstorm ideas, plan events, or simply have a fun conversation.”
Expand Expanding Close
While we wait for a slew of existing features to roll out, Google Messages is working on the ability to edit what you’ve recently sent.
Expand Expanding Close