6 texting options I want have been part of Google ...

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 provides encrypted

RCS tech
, and it effortlessly syncs information 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 embody a devoted unsubscribe button for coping with spam threads, an automated 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 through APK teardowns from the oldsters over at Android Authority.

These new Messages updates are thrilling, however I am unable to assist however want Google would do much more to push its texting platform ahead. I have been clamoring for a specific set of options for a while now — I hope the corporate ultimately will get round to addressing at the very least a number of the following six wishlist entries of mine within the close to future.

1

Customizable chat threads

For a touch of chat room character

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

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

I admire Google’s Pixel UI mantra of stylish simplicity, and I would not anticipate the corporate to include the kind of granular management over textual content bubbles and emoji kinds that one thing like Textra provides. That being mentioned, a little 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 in opposition to unintentional deletion

A devoted trash part throughout the Google Messages app is the kind of factor that ought to’ve been applied into the expertise from the very starting. Many different texting apps — together with Samsung Messages — have supplied this fundamental 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 in opposition to unintentional lack of vital conversations. Our PCs and our picture library apps embody a trash bin for a purpose, and messaging providers ought to be no totally different.

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3

An non-compulsory ship delay setting

To avoid wasting 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 unsure why it hasn’t caught on throughout mainstream messaging providers, 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 could 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 preserve observe of message threads

Again round 2020, Google was experimenting with including textual content message auto-categorization into its Messages app. These classes have been to look close to the highest of the display as particular person tabs, with sorting choices for transactions, provides, 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 doable 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, faculty, and miscellaneous, however the choices are countless.

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5

Outgoing message signatures

So as to add a splash of professionalism to the combination

Automated message signatures have been an e mail service staple for years, and I feel it is excessive time they grow to be commonplace on the earth 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 thought and implement it immediately into its personal Messages service.

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

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6

Google Allo’s Whisper Shout characteristic

One among Google’s strangest spin-off messaging providers, 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 have been in a position to drag a slider up or down to manage the scale of a textual content bubble previous to sending it off. It is shocking how a lot extra appeal Whisper Shout delivered to 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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