Apps
Google Messages adds seven new features to celebrate 1 billion RCS users
Google Messages has reached a new milestone with over one billion monthly active users. This app offers a more secure and rich messaging experience than SMS and MMS, with features like end-to-end encryption, high-quality media sharing, read receipts, and more.
To celebrate this, Google has also introduced seven new features to make Google Messages more personalized, such as Reaction effects, Voice Moods, and more.
New Features of Google Messages
Photomoji
Photomoji lets users convert their photos into reactions using Google AI on their devices. Users can select a photo of themselves or their pet and use it to react to a text. They can choose the object they want to transform into a Photomoji and send it. They can access their creations from a special tab and their friends in group chats can also use them.
Voice Moods, plus improved audio quality
Voice Moods allow users to add emotion to their voice messages. Users can select from nine different moods to convey how they feel when they speak. Their voice will be accompanied by a visual effect such as heart-eye emoji, fireballs or party popper. Google has also enhanced the audio quality of voice messages by increasing the bitrate and sampling rate.
Screen Effects
With Screen Effects, users can make their messages more animated with colorful animations. Users can type certain messages such as “It’s snowing” or “I love you” and see their screen filled with motion and color. Users can also try to discover all 15+ hidden Screen Effects words with their friends.
Custom Bubbles
With new Custom Bubbles, users can customize the bubble color and backgrounds of their chats and the person they chat with. Users can choose a different color for each chat. They can also avoid sending a text to wrong chat by distinguishing their chats.
Reaction Effects
Reaction Effects add more fun to the chats. If users react to a message with a simple 👍 emoji, a trio of animated hands will dance around the message bubble. This feature is designed to make the chats more dynamic with these ten popular emojis.
Animated Emoji
Animated Emoji enhances the emoji with visual effects. Users can send an emoji and see it come to life with a burst of animation.
Profiles
With Profiles, users can personalize their profile name and picture that go with their phone number. Users can express themselves better with Profiles and control how they appear across Google services.
WhatsApp has released a fresh update for beta users on Android with version 2.24.21.26. This update introduces a new feature that gives users more control over how their contacts are synced across different devices on WhatsApp.
The latest update allows users to add, edit, or delete contacts from any device linked to their WhatsApp account, such as tablets or computers. It means that any changes made on one device will automatically sync to all other connected devices. It helps contact list up-to-date no matter where you are.
For those who want to keep personal and work contacts separate, there’s an option to disable syncing for specific accounts. This lets users prevent certain contacts from showing up in their WhatsApp to maintain privacy.
Moreover, WhatsApp also adds extra security by using cryptographic hashes to protect the phone numbers of contacts who aren’t on the app. This ensures that user data remains safe while still allowing WhatsApp to monitor for any unusual activity related to contact uploads.
Users can still chat with their existing contacts as the app remains fully functional, even with contact syncing turned off. If someone switches to a new phone or reinstalls WhatsApp, their linked contacts will automatically be restored easily.
WhatsApp contact syncing feature was already available to iOS users, and now Android beta testers can enjoy the same benefit. As the update rolls out, more users will have the chance to try this privacy feature.
WhatsApp is bringing a new feature to improve notification management, especially for group chats through a new beta update. The fresh version of WhatsApp is available with version 2.24.21.22 in the Google Play Beta Program.
The new beta update of WhatsApp adds a new notification activity feature for group chats. It will let users choose how they want to receive notifications. There are two choices – All and Relevant to me.
- All: Users can get notifications for every message in the group.
- Relevant to Me: They will receive only important ones like mentions and replies.
In this way, users can easily manage large groups as the features help to reduce unnecessary messages. This change is particularly helpful for those in large groups.
Additionally, the new notification activity screen will help explain how muting group chats works. Currently, some users find it confusing when they still receive notifications from muted groups.
The new feature aims to make this clearer as it allows users to see exactly what types of notifications they can still receive, even when a group is muted.
WhatsApp is currently working on these features to enhance user experience and will make them available in future updates. Till then, stay tuned with us.
WhatsApp introduces new filters and backgrounds for video calls
Samsung Galaxy users are excitedly waiting for the upcoming One UI 7 update after the release of One UI 6.1.1. There have been some leaks and rumors about its features and release date. Even though the Beta Program hasn’t started yet, Samsung is already updating its stock apps to get them ready for One UI 7 software.
You might be wondering why Samsung is bringing One UI 7 support to Galaxy apps ahead of its release. The reason behind it is very simple. The company is ensuring that these apps work smoothly with One UI 7 when it’s released.
By updating these apps ahead of time, Samsung aims to avoid issues like lagging or crashing to provide users with a better experience from the start. At the moment, Samsung has rolled out One UI 7 support to some Galaxy apps including Galaxy Store, Galaxy Themes, and Samsung Wonderland.
Overall, Samsung’s early updates to its apps are all about making them compatible with the new operating system. Users can expect a seamless transition when One UI 7 finally releases.
As we enter October 2024, many users are eagerly waiting for more news about the One UI 7 Beta. So far, Samsung hasn’t shared any official details, leaving everyone curious about what’s coming.
However, there’s a chance for good news soon. Samsung is going to host the Samsung Developer Conference 2024 (SDC24) on October 3, 2024. This event might include announcements related to One UI 7, like its features and when it will be available. Stay tuned for more information.
One UI 7 may expand One UI 6.1.1 features to non-flagship devices