Google Messages is on the verge of enhancing its user experience with the introduction of two significant features aimed at improving safety and convenience. The latest beta version hints at the addition of live location sharing, a much-anticipated tool that could streamline how users coordinate meet-ups.
Currently, sharing your location through Google Maps involves sending a static pin, which can be cumbersome if you’re on the move. The new live location feature, as revealed by an APK teardown from Android Authority, promises to allow users to share their real-time whereabouts seamlessly, eliminating the need for repeated updates.
In addition to this, Google Messages is rolling out Sensitive Content Warnings, a feature that has finally made its way to a select group of users after being announced earlier this year. This functionality is designed to protect users, particularly minors, from potentially harmful content. When a user sends or receives nude images, these warnings will activate if the setting is enabled. For adult users, this feature is off by default, while it is automatically activated for accounts belonging to individuals under 18.
For supervised accounts, parents retain control over these settings through the Family Link app, ensuring a layer of protection for younger users. Unsupervised teens, aged 13 to 17, have the option to disable the warnings in their Google Account settings if they choose to do so.
To adjust these settings, users can navigate to Google Messages on their Android device, tap on their profile picture, and access the Messages settings. From there, they can scroll to the Protection and safety section and manage their sensitive content warnings.
Google emphasizes that these warnings are powered by on-device AI, which means that no identifiable data or classified content is transmitted to Google servers. If the AI detects a potential nude image, the sender will receive a warning about the risks associated with sending such content, prompting them to confirm their intention before proceeding. Similarly, recipients will see a blurred version of the image along with a warning about the potential harm of nude images. They will also have options to delete the image, block the sender, or view the image if they wish.
As these features begin to roll out, users can look forward to a more secure messaging environment, bolstered by AI-driven tools designed to enhance safety and facilitate better communication.
