Google Messages finally offers direct replies and stars, the noose is tightening on Apple

Google hopes to impose the RCS protocol on Apple. To do this, he always adapts his Messages application a little more to the times. The ten changes made today should help the public embrace this technology.

The RCS protocol aims to replace SMS. Texting had its heyday, but at a time when messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram and other iMessages are vying for user favors, it is very difficult for this standard to find its place. As Google officials point out, “RCS can’t really work unless everyone uses it, which means all carriers and Apple need to adopt it.” Google has announced no less than ten changes to its Messages application. Will these push the Apple brand to finally adopt the RCS?

If the functionality changes are numerous, the most visible is cosmetic: the Messages icon has changed and adopts Google’s new house design, Material You. The Telephone and Contact applications must also undergo a facelift in the coming weeks. The significant changes are then functional.

Google Messages update lets you star a message

As on WhatsApp and other proprietary messaging systems, Messages allows you to reply to a particular message in the thread of a conversation or to use emojis to react to messages from an iPhone if you are on Android, and vice versa. If you are the proud owner of a Pixel 7, a Pixel 6, or a Samsung Galaxy S22 or Galaxy Fold 4, you will be able to take advantage of the voicemail transcription. Very handy when you’re in a noisy place and you can’t listen to your phone.

You can mark important messages with a star to find them more easily. Reminders are also appearing: they will be programmable at the date and time that suits you. Messages will take into account the context and content of the message to offer you to record an event in Calendar or suggest that you start a videoconference through Meet. Small ergonomic improvements: it is now possible to watch YouTube videos directly from the application and conversations started from Maps will be saved in a folder professional separate from personal messages.

To take advantage of all these features, you must first activate the RCS on your device. Messages is already available for Android devices on Google Play.