Not long ago, Google began testing the waters with account-based logins for Google Messages. I even wrote an entire post about how important this change is and why it is a necessary step for Google to take with their primary messaging platform. And while I still absolutely stand by those thoughts, I’m a little bummed […]
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Some of these new Google Messages features make me want to use it more
For years, Google has been on the front lines, working with mobile carriers and smartphone manufacturers to enhance and adopt RCS (Rich Communication Services) – the new standard for texting. RCS replaces the outdated SMS and MMS protocols, offering users a richer, more secure messaging experience with features like typing indicators, read receipts, threaded replies, […]
Continue ReadingWhy Google Messages account-based pairing is a big deal
Contents As Google Messages passes the billion downloads mark, it looks like Google is keeping their foot on the gas. The slightly-aggravating, always inconvenient QR code scanning requirement for use on multiple devices has always kept Google Messages from being the service it has the potential to be. Sure, it needs to handle the old […]
Continue ReadingHow to group your Gmail messages by ‘today’, ‘yesterday’, ‘Last Week’, and more like Inbox by Google
Do you remember Inbox by Google? Do you miss it as much as I do? Sure, Google gave us many of the features the service had, but we’re still waiting very impatiently for the ‘Bundles’ feature to come around as I think they’ve promised. Gmail is extensible, but… Luckily, Chrome extensions like Simplify Gmail brings […]
Continue ReadingThis handy addition to Google Messages is quietly brilliant
Google Messages is constantly being worked on now that Google has decided to go all-in and made it their messenger of choice. There’s still a long road ahead to get people to use it for more than just a glorified text message client, but as Google continues to add more and more cool, thoughtful features, […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Messages takes hamburger off of the menu with its latest update
For the past six months or so, Google has been testing a new home screen design that takes the hamburger off the menu. No, literally, it’s getting rid of the hamburger menu on the left side of the app. Now, this change seems to be rolling out, according to 9to5Google. In its place, archived texts, […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Messages may finally allow cross-device support by linking your Google Account
In the absolute mess that is messaging here in 2023, Google Messages has slowly-but-surely continued to increase adoption numbers, amassing over one billion downloads as of this May. Despite that growing popularity, there’s one aspect of Google’s latest messaging strategy that has been a point of contention for many: the reliance on QR code sign-in […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Messages tests swapping reply button with setting reminders, and it’s driving me crazy
Sometimes, seemingly the most inconsequential UX change can have great and negative impact. In a new test over what feels like the past 24 hours, Google Messages has swapped the “Reply” and “Remind 1 hr” buttons in the notification shade. The result of this is that I and others keep setting reminders for messages instead […]
Continue ReadingAt long last, you can natively translate messages in other languages in Gmail for Mobile
Gmail for Android and iOS will finally let you translate emails you receive in a language other than you own! This will let you simplify doing business internationally or even locally with a more diverse and broad range of clients and partners without having to go back and forth to Google Translate. Essentially, if an […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Messages just flicked the switch on end-to-end encryption for all RCS and group chats
Google just announced that all RCS conversations in Messages are now fully end-to-end encrypted, even in group chats. RCS stands for Rich Communication Services and is replacing traditional text and picture messaging, providing you with more dynamic and secure features. With RCS enabled, you can share high-res photos and videos, see typing indicators for your […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Messages is taking a big step towards interoperable messaging with MLS standard
There’s no way around it: messaging has become an integral part of daily life for most of us. From personal conversations to business communications, we need messaging platforms to connect with others on a daily basis. And while many services offer end-to-end encryption, they often limit that security to conversations happening only inside their own […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Chat is finally giving you the ability to hyperlink text in your messages
Google Chat may not have launched with many of the same standard features as its competitors, but it’s slowly started added them over time – a Google staple for the development pipeline. Now, over on the Google Workspace Updates blog, Google announced that it’s finally adding the ability to let you link text in your […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Messages starts rolling out direct quote replies on desktop
Google Messages for desktop takes the same model as Whatsapp and other popular applications and provides a Google-owned version of the “scan the QR code and see your messages in a web app” model. It’s far from perfect, and the experience differs a bunch depending on whether you’re using Google Fi, RCS messages, or if […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Chat is getting new tools to help you reply to messages faster, better express yourself
Google Chat is introducing a range of new features to enhance you and your organization’s experience. These updates aim to help you reply faster to messages on the go, in meetings or when you’re just super busy and to help you express yourself in new and appropriate ways. To be clear, we’ve already covered many […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Messages “Magic Compose” beta brings AI to your RCS chats, but with some limitations
During Google I/O 2023, Google announced that it would be injecting AI into its Messages app by way of a feature called “Magic Compose”. This is a part of the company’s larger AI integration initiative, which has already begun transforming various aspects of its services. From the “Help me write” feature in Google Docs to […]
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