All Android users urged to install huge update that makes it ‘more like iPhone’

GOOGLE is giving its Messages app on Android an enormous update – and it’s rolling out right now.

The major overhaul gives it some tricks familiar to anyone who has used iMessage for iPhone on iOS, plus some extra goodies.

Google

Google’s Messages app can now automatically transcribe voice notes[/caption]

Google

There’s new support for emoji reactions sent over SMS[/caption]

But unlike iPhone, Google’s Messages app is built on something called RCS.

“[RCS is] a modern messaging protocol that supports richer text features, higher resolution images and videos, and enables end-to-end encryption,” said Google’s Jan Jedrzejowicz.

Google has been pushing for Apple to adopt the system on iPhones, which would make texting between Android and iOS more seamless.

Now Messages is getting a major upgrade, including supporting emoji reactions from iPhone and the ability to “reply” to a specific text.

It’s a free update, so keen an eye out for it in the coming weeks.

What’s new in Messages by Google for Android?

Google has revealed 10 major changes coming to Messages.

Here are some of the biggest changes included in the update…

• 1. The ability to reply to an individual message in a conversation without disrupting the chat
• 2. Displaying emoji reactions from iPhone users on SMS texts
• 3. Auto-transcription for your voice messages, so you can “read” audio sent to you
• 4. Reminders included in Messages, like an alert to call your mum on her birthday
• 5. Support for watching YouTube videos in Messages without having to leave the app
• 6. Intelligent automatic “starring” of important messages like addresses, door codes and phone numbers
• 7. Automatic prompts for Meet calls when Messages detects a text like “can you talk now?”
• 8. The ability to chat to some businesses found on Search and Maps
• 9. Messages working across devices, including the new Pixel Watch
• 10. Messages working on airplanes – or at the very least, on partnered United Airlines flights

Google is also updating the Messages icon with a nicer overlapping design.

“We’re updating the Messages icon over the coming weeks to better reflect today’s modern messaging experience and share the same look as many of Google’s other products,” Jan explained.

“It takes more than one side to have a conversation, and that’s reflected in the design, with overlapping messaging bubbles coming together as one.”

The new features will roll out “in the coming weeks”.

To get them, check back on the Google Play Store for the latest updates to the Messages app.

Google

This is the first look at Google’s new logo for the Messages app[/caption]

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