Google Messages, the messaging app that Google has spent a lot of time improving over the years with features like RCS, is getting a number of improvements this week that you’ll love.
On the one hand, as iMessage reactions the messages are finally here after a few months of teasing and slow deployments. We first saw them in March and then again in May, with Google confirming that they really are one thing today.
Not familiar with reactions in other apps? The idea here is to give you a quick way to respond to something without having to type a word or think too seriously. By long pressing on a photo, video or chat message, you will see a set of available animated expressions that closely resemble emoji. Tap one of those and your reaction will be attached to that message (see above).
Since the image above and today’s Google ad mention “chat” for reactions, this is probably only a feature for those using RCS and not SMS. You probably won’t be able to roll back your iMessage friends.
However, that is not all new. Google is expanding Smart Reply to start suggesting tags that “make it easier for loved ones to know you care.” That means you’ll see sticker suggestions relevant to the conversation you’re having.
There’s also a photo editor to quickly scribble on photos you take with the camera within Google Messages, long press the voice button to record voice messages and a shortcut to make video calls through Duo.
Who knows when it will see everything here because, you know, slow deployments. Get the latest compilation of Messages to check at the link below.
Google Play link: Google messages
