Subj : Google is making it easier to find your contacts and help you kee To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Wed Mar 13 2024 16:45:05 Google is making it easier to find your contacts and help you keep track of messages Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:37:21 +0000 Description: A deep-dive into an early Google Contact update shows better integration with third-party apps and a new way to view messages. FULL STORY ====================================================================== The Google Contacts app is getting an update that'll streamline its user interface, as well as a new widget that could help you avoid missing important messages by placing them front and center. According to code deep dive by AssembleDebug , the update includes a widget that will show messages from contacts on your phones home screen. This should make them harder to miss, even if notifications are off and the phone is silenced. Users will still need to allow permission for such alerts by tapping the notification icon on the top right of the widget. This will then prompt a dialog box that will explain the feature and request permission. Its thought that the widget will only show messages from a single contact, and will include the options to allow users to reply or call them back. The update could make it easier to find contacts. Changes to the Contacts home screen have removed the Phone contacts, Email contacts, and Company filters from the top of the screen. This declutters the page, and these options have been moved to the main menu (three horizontal bars), and appear at the bottom of the screen, so they can still be accessed if needed. (Image credit: AssembleDebug / TheSpAndroid) Another UI change simplifies how the app shows calls and contact details from other apps like WhatsApp, and Telegram. Instead of displaying a confusing list of entries, including missed and connected calls and messages, the new update adds a 'Connected app section that lists the third-party apps with drop-down menus for users to pursue notifications about calls and messages. The changes arent just limited to WhatsApp and Telegram contacts, as more messaging apps will also appear in this list if they are installed. Google Contacts simplifies showing your contact's numbers from other apps Read - https://t.co/Y8ZIFVo7lm#Google #Android pic.twitter.com/M0pNDSvxuJ March 10, 2024 See more The image on the left displays the more cluttered, older interface while the image on the right displays the newer more organized look. Google Contacts is a free, built-in app for many Android phones including the Google Pixel lineup that allows users to manage their phone numbers and contacts, so any changes will affect a significant number of users. Its not known when these features will roll out assuming Google decides to release them and theyre currently hidden behind flags, meaning theyre unavailable for the public until implemented on Google's server side. However, youll likely need to have the latest version of Contacts, version 4.26 to see the features, and after that, you should receive the update as soon as it is rolled out. While the updates arent exactly revolutionary, any changes making our phones easier to use are welcome. However, if you want to try something completely different then take a look at our best iPhones list. You may also like Googles affordable Pixel 8a may not be so affordable after all Googles experimental feature could give one of the Pixels best tools to everyone Android 15: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so far ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/google-is-making-it-easier-to-find-your-conta cts-and-help-you-keep-track-of-messages --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .