is rolling out a number of updates to the app, including the ability to customize text bubble colors and backgrounds. So if you really want, you can have blue bubbles on your Android messaging app. You can have a different color for each chat, which could help prevent you from accidentally leaking a secret to family or friends.
With the help of on-device Google ai (which means you'll probably need a recent Pixel device to use this feature), you can transform photos into reactions with Photomoji. All you need to do is choose a photo, decide what object (or person or animal) you would like to turn into Photomoji and press the send button. These reactions will be saved for later use and friends in chat will also be able to use any Photomoji you send them.
The new Voice Moods feature lets you apply one of nine different vibes to a voice message, showing off visual effects like heart eyes emoji, fireballs (for when you're angry), and a party popper. Google says it has also improved the quality of voice messages by increasing the bitrate and sample rate.
Additionally, there are over 15 screen effects that you can activate by typing things like "It's snowing" either "I love you." These will "your screen explodes in a symphony of colors and movement," Google says. Elsewhere, Messages will show animated effects when certain reactions and emoji are used.
On top of all that, users will now be able to set up a profile that adds their name and photo to their phone number to help them have more control over how they appear in Google services. The company says this feature could help when it comes to receiving messages from a phone number that is not in group chats. It could also help you know everyone's identity in a group chat.
Some of these features will be available in beta starting today in the latest version of Google Messages. Google notes that the availability of some features will depend on the market and device.
Google is rolling out these updates alongside the news that more than 1 billion people now use Google Messages with RCS enabled each month. It is a more secure and feature-packed messaging format than SMS and MMS. Supports features like read receipts, typing indicators, group chats, and high-resolution media. Google also offers end-to-end encryption for and through RCS.
For years, Google had been trying to improve interoperability between Android and iOS. Apple refused, perhaps because iMessage (and its blue bubbles) have long been a status symbol for its users. However, probably to ensure that Apple complies with European Union regulations, Apple has relented. The company recently said it would do so.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-messages-now-lets-you-choose-your-own-chat-bubble-colors-170042264.html?src=rss