Google Messages is finally catching up with other chat apps by crafting a way to reply to RCS messages directly – here’s a first look at replies in action.
About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we decompiled the latest version of an app that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we open the compilation of these files (called APKs when it comes to Android apps), we can see various lines of code within this tip regarding possible future features. Note that Google may or may not offer these features and our interpretation of what they are may be flawed. However, we will try to enable the ones closer to completion to show you how they will look if submitted. With that in mind, keep reading.
Over the years, texting and instant messaging have become some of the main ways we talk to each other. One minor issue that can arise is that in fast-paced chats, such as a busy group chat, it’s not always easy to tell which message someone is responding to.
Most modern chat apps have fixed this one way or another. Slack offers threads to keep discussion of a topic separate from the rest of the room’s discussion. Other apps like iMessage and Discord let you choose a message to reply to, often adding some flair and much-needed context to your message when it’s sent.
Our team took a closer look at Google Messages and takes a similar approach to replies, with a reply arrow icon that appears when you long-press on a particular message. Tapping this icon places the message above the compose bubble with a cancel button in case you change your mind, and you can otherwise write your message as normal.
Update 10:55: By experimenting a bit, we found that another way to initiate an RCS reply is to side-scroll a message that adds the same reply arrow icon. An example can be seen in the gallery below.
The feature seems far enough in development for replies to be sent and received correctly via RCS, replies even appearing in the Google Messages web app. As you might expect, a message with a reply includes a preview of the original message and the sender’s name. Tapping this reply preview causes Google Messages to scroll towards the original.
Even better, you may not have to wait long for replies to be fully available in Google Messages, as some have reported that the feature is out-of-the-box. already living for them. – Thanks to Matthew and Kunal!
Reply is just one of many new features currently in development for Google Messages. Just yesterday we discovered a voicemail transcription Feature that works surprisingly well along with the ability to use any emoji as an RCS reaction. Google has a very clear plan to create Google Messages as is. doubles up On making RCS the next big messaging standard.
Thank you JEB Decompiler.
Dylan Roussel contributed to this article.
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