With Allo shuttered, Google has decided to focus its messaging efforts on Messages and RCS (for the time being, at least). Since Google Messages was originally meant as a simple SMS app, the company has had to do a fair bit of work to make it a true competitor against established players like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. To reach feature parity with them, Messages is testing the addition of an instantly accessible microphone button to help you communicate via voice more easily.
Read MoreMessages 4.7 lets you batch-delete individual messages in chats [APK Download]
Work on the Messages app, Google's messaging platform du jour, continues. After adding RCS, Assistant, a web client, and several other enhancements, the latest Messages update isn't groundbreaking but it does bring one feature that should have been there already: multi-select for individual messages.
Read MoreGoogle Messages RCS spotted going live on Simple Mobile, Visible, and Xfinity Mobile
Google chose RCS as the next holy grail of messaging after it shut down Allo and abandoned Hangouts. However, since the Rich Communication Services depend on the mercy of carriers and their specific device support, rollout has been exorbitantly slow, which even lead Google to take the reins and push out RCS in France and the UK using the Messages app (with more markets to follow). In the US, though, that's not the case so far. But perhaps Google calling the carriers' bluff is working, as Simple Mobile, Visible, and Xfinity Mobile are starting to support the new protocol.
Read MoreGoogle Messages could soon remind you to reply to that text you forgot about
We've all received a text in the middle of a critical task we can't interrupt, but most of us often forget to reply to that message when we're finally able to. Google Messages might soon make it easier to remember you had to respond to your friend, thanks to an option right in the notification card.
Read MoreGoogle Messages v4.4 prepares reminder notifications and federated learning, expands Assistant to attachments [APK Teardown]
As we continue to wait for things like proper spam blocking and true universal RCS support for everybody, we can still look to Google Messages to bring some new features. The latest update is testing a new Assistant integration in the attachments screen, and a teardown shows that Federated Learning is growing beyond its starting point in Gboard. There's also a hint about a reminder notification that could help us deal with messages a little more efficiently.
Read MoreMessages starts showing the status of your RCS connection
It's been a couple of years since Messages (then known as Google Messenger) started rolling out RCS, the chat-like features that work on top of regular SMS. In the time since, RCS has spread to more operators and devices, but it's still not the universal solution Google wants it to be, and nor is it a foolproof one. To help users understand what's going on, especially when things don't work as intended, Messages now shows you the status of your RCS connection.
Read MoreAssistant's context-aware recommendations are live for some in Messages 4.4 [APK Download]
After Google killed Allo, users lost the ability to get Assistant suggestions directly in their conversation feeds, but the company confirmed it would bring the star feature to Messages soon. Three months later, the integration is finally live, and Google's digital helper now pops up with recommendations based on your discussions.
Read MoreGoogle Messages is suggesting GIF searches based on your conversations
Support for Tenor GIFs was recently added to Google's SMS messaging app, allowing you to easily add a GIF into your chats by tapping on the + and then 'GIF search.' Google really wants to encourage you to use this, it seems, as it's now offering suggestions for GIF searches based on your conversations.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Google Messages v4.3 prepares auto-reply for spam and RCS settings, continues Verified SMS and Assistant integration [APK Teardown]
The latest update to Google Messages is out and sporting much the same look as always. The major notes to be seen are in the teardown, which brings a few smaller details related to RCS settings and Verified SMS, hints at an auto-reply feature for spam messages, a change to the audio clip recorder, and a little refocusing on the upcoming Google Assistant integration.
Read More[Update: Tenor support] Google Messages v4.2 now supports attachments of any type, adds Verified SMS details [APK Teardown]
Google Messages just received its 4.2 update today as it adds a subtle but potentially valuable feature: Sending generic file types. Yes, you can now send files without being limited to just the standard photo and video collection. A teardown also brings follow-ups to the topics of Verified SMS and Google Assistant integration.
Read MoreLatest Deals
-
4
[Update: $130 at Costco] Lenovo's 10-inch Smart Display marked down to just $140 this weekend
-
0
10 temporarily free and 26 on-sale apps and games for the weekend
-
0
Goal Zero power banks on sale, including $60 off the Sherpa 100 AC and $360 off the monstrous Yeti 1400
-
46
Early Galaxy Note10 deals offer at least $120 off global models
-
0
Anker's feature-packed 500-lumen Nebula Mars II Pro projector is $120 off at Amazon ($480)
-
4
Latest Poll
Loading ...Recent Reviews
-
6
AfterShokz Aeropex review: Bone conduction makes these headphones cool and practical for outdoor use
-
25
JBL Link Bar review: Android TV in a soundbar is a fantastic idea that JBL very nearly nails
-
8
Review: Adonit PhotoGrip Qi is a great smartphone camera grip with built-in wireless charging
-
98
Fossil's fifth-gen smartwatches showcase Wear OS at its best
-
1
NuForce BE Free6 truly wireless earbuds sound good and don't break the bank, but fit is a concern
-
6
Latest Roundups
-
1
20 best new Android games released this week including MyNBA2K20, Gears POP, and PAYDAY: Crime War
-
5
23 best new Android games released this week including Chessplode, Witcheye, and Beholder 2
-
3
10 new and notable Android apps from the last two weeks including Anthem App, AmpliFi Teleport, and Hipcamp Camping App (8/3/19 - 8/17/19)
-
8
18 best new Android games released this week including The Black Widow, They Breathe, and OXXO
-
10
19 best new (and 1 WTF) Android games released this week including Gundam Battle: Gunpla Warfare, Hamsterdam, and Battle Chasers: Nightwar
-
1
Recent Apps and Games
-
55
Google Pay 2.96 adds a dark mode [APK Download]
-
1
20 best new Android games released this week including MyNBA2K20, Gears POP, and PAYDAY: Crime War
-
0
10 temporarily free and 26 on-sale apps and games for the weekend
-
29
[Update: Coming this winter] Pearl Abyss will launch Black Desert Mobile globally on Android this year
-
115
[Update: Forced log-in no longer required] Bethesda just released DOOM and DOOM II on the Play Store
-
55
Blast from the Past
-
23
1 Year Ago Today
The new Gmail is now rolling out to Google Apps customers
-
81
2 Years Ago Today
Modified Pixel Launcher for all devices hits version 2.1, brings new Oreo features and much more
-
369
3 Years Ago Today
The most (and least) popular devices used to browse Android Police (Aug. 2016)
-
731
4 Years Ago Today
[Update: Samsung Responds] Probable Note 5 Design Flaw Can Cause S Pen To Break Pen Detection When Inserted Backward, Or Get Hopelessly Stuck
-
15
5 Years Ago Today
26 Best (And 1 WTF) New Android Apps And Live Wallpapers From The Last 2 Weeks (8/12/14 - 8/25/14)
-
42
6 Years Ago Today
Alleged Oppo N1 Spotted In Non-Blurry Images Ahead Of Official Announcement Next Month
-
6
7 Years Ago Today
DualBoot Games Releases Ocean HD, Its Latest Live Wallpaper To Hit The Play Store
-
8
8 Years Ago Today
[Deal Alert] HTC ThunderBolt For A Penny With A New Agreement From Amazon Wireless
-
17
9 Years Ago Today
T-Mobile G2 Running On New MSM7X30 Chipset: Native 720P 30FPS Recording And Playback, Better 3D Performance And More
-
23
