Subj : Google Messages new update makes it look a bit like the iPhone's To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Thu Nov 30 2023 21:30:05 Google Messages new update makes it look a bit like the iPhone's Messages app Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2023 21:26:12 +0000 Description: The app implements its own take on Contact Poster called Profiles and now has full-screen animations for texts. FULL STORY ====================================================================== To commemorate one billion monthly active users, Google is introducing several new customization options on its Messages app. Whats particularly interesting about the update is that a few of the features are reminiscent of what you find on Apples own Messages app. For example, you have Photomoji, allowing you to clip specific parts in a photograph and use them as emoji reactions. iOS 17 has something similar called Stickers . In Google Messages, cutouts are saved in a special tab for reuse, plus other people in a group chat can use the same Photomojis at any time. The similarities dont stop there. Google Messages is adding Profiles that let users create an introductory biography about themselves alongside their name and a picture. Its iOS counterpart would be Contact Poster . In addition, the app will now have animated Screen Effects akin to the message animations on iPhone. Unlike iOS, you cant activate the colorful displays whenever you want as Googles rendition requires you to enter specific prompt words. The full list of prompts isnt in the announcement, although it does mention two. Typing in I love you will launch a bunch of hearts. Entering its snowing would presumably cause snowflakes to fall from the top. There wasnt a demo showcasing the latter so we cant say for sure. Unique inclusions Of course, the update isnt only about copying Apple. There are Voice Moods thatll let you slap an emoji onto a voice recording, giving it extra visual flair. Additionally, Google states itll be increasing the bitrate and sampling rate on vocal messages to improve audio quality. Next, you can change the color scheme of a chat, namely the text bubbles and background, to whatever you want via Custom Bubbles. This can help you differentiate conversations so you dont accidentally send the wrong text to your mom when it was meant for a friend. (Image credit: Google) The last two arent as impactful, but they can add some nice flourishes to a chat. Now when you react to a message with an emoji, a short animation called a Reaction Effect will play at the same time. Also, standalone emojis sent through the app will sport extra visual effects like sparkles. Once you get the patch, you can try out most of these features so keep an eye out for when it eventually arrives. The two outliers are Voice Moods and Reaction Effects; both of which are currently in beta. To try those out, youll have to become a beta tester for Google Messages, according to the official support page . Android update Besides the Messages update, Google is adding new features to other Android platforms . A lot is being implemented so were only going to mention the more impactful additions. Moving forward, smartwatches running Wear OS can now control more smart appliances like vacuums and groups of smart lights. The TalkBack tool is being given an AI voice thatll read out text descriptions to help blind people understand the content in front of them. And finally, Live Caption on smartphones will be available in more languages. Be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best Android phones for 2023 . You might also like Hell freezes over Apple to support RCS messages from Android phones next year Google Drive is getting some big changes with a bonus for iPhone users Google has a new fix for Android 14 phones that are stuck in reboot loops ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/software/google-messages-new-upgrade-makes -it-a-lot-like-the-iphones-messages-app --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .