6 texting options I want had been part of Google Messages

Google Messages
has solidified itself because the go-to textual content messaging platform throughout a lot of the Android ecosystem. It is full of

Gemini
-based AI options, it presents encrypted

RCS tech
, and it effortlessly syncs knowledge throughout the broader Google software program ecosystem.

It has lately come to gentle that Google is

working on several new features
for its Messages app. These embrace a devoted unsubscribe button for coping with spam threads, an computerized delicate content material warning system, real-time location sharing, and in-line PDF previewing. A few of these additions have been confirmed by the search giant, whereas others have been uncovered by way of APK teardowns from the parents over at Android Authority.

These new Messages updates are thrilling, however I can not assist however want Google would do much more to push its texting platform ahead. I have been clamoring for a selected set of options for a while now — I hope the corporate ultimately will get round to addressing not less than a few of the following six wishlist entries of mine within the close to future.

1

Customizable chat threads

For a splash of chat room character

In comparison with many third-party on the spot messaging companies (in addition to most

third-party Android SMS apps
), Google Messages lacks a lot in the best way of in-chat customization. You may’t regulate the wallpaper on a per-chat room foundation, and you’ll’t tweak accent colours, fonts, or some other interface parts.

I admire Google’s Pixel UI mantra of stylish simplicity, and I would not anticipate the corporate to include the form of granular management over textual content bubbles and emoji types that one thing like Textra presents. That being stated, a bit little bit of personalization goes a good distance in making textual content threads really feel extra human, and I might welcome the inclusion of any new customization choices with open arms.

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2

A built-in recycling bin

To safeguard towards unintended deletion

A devoted trash part throughout the Google Messages app is the form of factor that ought to’ve been applied into the expertise from the very starting. Many various texting apps — together with Samsung Messages — have supplied this primary performance for fairly a while now.

The utility of a devoted recycle bin is obvious — siloing away deleted textual content threads for a month previous to everlasting deletion is a good way to safeguard towards unintended lack of necessary conversations. Our PCs and our photograph library apps embrace a trash bin for a motive, and messaging companies must be no completely different.

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3

An optionally available ship delay setting

To save lots of from embarrassing typos and regrettable texts

The ship delay setting is my private favourite characteristic present in third-party Android SMS apps like Texta. I am undecided why it hasn’t caught on throughout mainstream messaging companies, however I might like to see Google add the choice to its Messages app. When enabled, ship delay offers a window of alternative to cancel a textual content message earlier than it has the possibility to be delivered.

On Texta, I set my ship delay setting to three seconds, however the characteristic might be configured to be as quick as 1 second, or so long as 9 seconds in delay size. I are inclined to make a whole lot of typos whereas utilizing a software program keyboard, and ship delay has saved me from a number of embarrassingly botched sentences all through the years.

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4

The return of class tabs

To raised maintain observe of message threads

Again round 2020, Google was experimenting with including textual content message auto-categorization into its Messages app. These classes had been to seem close to the highest of the display screen as particular person tabs, with sorting choices for transactions, presents, one-time passwords (OTPs), and extra. Sadly, this characteristic has by no means been given the possibility to see the sunshine of day, regardless of its apparent utility.

On Samsung Messages, it is attainable to create customized textual content message classes, which is an much more helpful implementation of the characteristic for us organizational freaks of the world. Personally, I’ve set mine up with devoted tabs for work, college, and miscellaneous, however the choices are infinite.

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5

Outgoing message signatures

So as to add a splash of professionalism to the combo

Automated message signatures have been an e-mail service staple for years, and I feel it is excessive time they turn into commonplace on the planet of textual content messaging. Some third-party SMS apps present this performance out of the field, and I might like to see Google scoop up the concept and implement it immediately into its personal Messages service.

Inside many enterprise {and professional} contexts, the flexibility to set-and-forget a default message signature is invaluable. When sending out messages to individuals you do not chat with regularly, it offers a fast and straightforward approach to talk particulars together with who you’re, what group you are related to, and what place you would possibly maintain at stated group.

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6

Google Allo’s Whisper Shout characteristic

Certainly one of Google’s strangest spin-off messaging companies, Allo,

was released in 2016
, after which subsequently shut down in 2019. The messenger was designed to showcase the then-new Google Assistant chatbot, however a lot of its AI performance was later ported into the flagship Google Messages expertise.

Sadly, my favourite Google Allo characteristic has but to be revived in Messages kind — Whisper Shout. By holding down the ship button, you had been in a position to drag a slider up or down to regulate the dimensions of a textual content bubble previous to sending it off. It is shocking how a lot further allure Whisper Shout dropped at my textual content threads again within the day, and I proceed to cross my fingers in hope of its well-deserved return.

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