Google has recently celebrated reaching one billion monthly active users by introducing new customization options on its Messages app. This update includes features such as Photomoji, which allows users to clip specific parts of a photograph and use them as emoji reactions, similar to the iOS 17 Stickers feature. Another addition is the introduction of Profiles, which lets users create an introductory biography about themselves alongside their name and a picture, similar to iOS’s Contact Poster.
Google Messages will also now have animated Screen Effects akin to those on the iPhone. In addition, the update includes Voice Moods that allow users to add an emoji to a voice recording, along with an improvement in audio quality through increased bitrate and sampling rate on vocal messages. Custom Bubbles will allow users to change the color scheme of a chat.
The update also includes Reaction Effects, which play a short animation when reacting to a message with an emoji, as well as standalone emojis that will feature extra visual effects like sparkles when sent through the app.
This update coincides with Google’s addition of new features to other Android platforms, including Wear OS smartwatches being able to control more smart appliances, an AI voice for the TalkBack tool to help blind individuals understand text descriptions, and the availability of Live Caption in more languages on smartphones.
The upcoming patch will introduce most of these features, but Voice Moods and Reaction Effects are currently in beta, and those interested in trying them out will need to become beta testers for Google Messages.
I have over 10 years of experience in the cryptocurrency industry and I have been on the list of the top authors on LinkedIn for the past 5 years.