messaging experience Archives

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

You Can Now Text Yourself via RCS on Google Messages (and You Should)

Google Messages has introduced a beta feature that allows users to send messages to themselves using RCS (Rich Communication Services), which provides advantages over SMS, such as the ability to send longer texts and high-resolution media without compression. However, RCS messages sent to oneself currently lack encryption. If the feature is active on a device, users can simply text themselves, or they may need to enroll in the Google Messages beta program. Self-messaging offers convenience and the ability to synchronize messages and media across devices, but users concerned about security may consider using encrypted platforms like Signal for sensitive information.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Samsung just quietly retired its Google Messages rival, and not everyone will be happy about it

Samsung has launched the Galaxy S25 series, making Google Messages the default messaging application and retiring the Samsung Messages app. Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra users will only have access to Google Messages, unlike previous models that allowed the option to use Samsung Messages. Existing Samsung Messages users can still use the app if it was installed prior to its removal from stores, but it is no longer available for download, raising concerns about future support and security. A Samsung spokesperson confirmed the decision to transition to Google Messages, citing improved Rich Communication Services (RCS) functionality. The response from users has been mixed, with some expressing dissatisfaction about the enforced switch. This change marks a trend towards standardization in the Android messaging ecosystem.

AppWizard

October 31, 2024

New WhatsApp button will let users of other apps text you – but there’s a catch

A new WhatsApp update will introduce a button for third-party applications, allowing users to receive messages from apps like Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and iMessage directly in WhatsApp. This feature will be found in the Settings menu, enabling users to control cross-platform messaging and organize incoming messages into a separate inbox. However, WhatsApp does not guarantee the same security and privacy for these messages as it does for its native communications. Currently under development, this feature will be limited to users in the European Union due to the Digital Markets Act, which requires interoperability among messaging applications. Participation in this feature will be optional, addressing concerns about potential spam and scams.

AppWizard

October 31, 2024

How Daze works: The viral TikTok messaging app

Daze is a messaging app aiming to compete with established platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp by offering a fully functional messaging experience combined with engaging features. It is designed as a "digital blank canvas" for users to express their creativity. Among 1,400 beta testers, over 50 percent continued using the app beyond 60 days, particularly among users aged 13 to 22. As the launch date approaches, there are 156,000 individuals on the waiting list.

AppWizard

October 23, 2024

Google Messages now has smarter detection to tackle tricky scam messages

Google's Messages app is enhancing user security through on-device AI to combat spam and harmful links. Key upgrades include an advanced scam detection system that identifies fraudulent delivery notifications and job offer scams, diverting them to spam or issuing user warnings. The app will also feature smart alerts to warn users about potentially harmful links, currently being tested in select countries. Additionally, users can filter out messages from international senders not in their contacts, directing them to the spam folder. A new feature will automatically blur nudity in images, with warnings for users sharing explicit content; this will be enabled by default for users under 18. Google is also implementing a contact verification system using public keys to authenticate identities. These updates are aimed at enhancing the safety of messaging for over one billion users.

AppWizard

October 21, 2024

What is Daze? A wannabe Gen Z messaging app is viral on TikTok

Daze is a new messaging app set to launch on November 4, 2024, targeting Gen Z users with a vibrant messaging experience that includes various fonts, colors, graphics, and interactive elements. The app has generated significant interest, with a viral TikTok video gaining eight million views and a waitlist of 156,000 sign-ups. Currently, there are 1,400 invite-only beta testers. Founder Willem Simons aims to create a competitive messaging platform alongside iMessage and WhatsApp, focusing on user-friendly and creative features.

AppWizard

October 16, 2024

Google Messages may gain more privacy options with Profile discovery

The latest beta version of the Google Messages app introduces enhancements to its Profile discovery feature, allowing users to conceal their name and profile picture from contacts or display them only to those they converse with. This feature was first launched in November of the previous year but has not been widely rolled out. The beta version v20241010 indicates that Google is responding to user feedback for improved privacy controls. Currently, users can only use images from their Google or Gmail accounts as profile pictures, but future updates may allow for customization. An official rollout of the new privacy options appears imminent, as indicated by their presence on a Google Messages support page.

AppWizard

October 10, 2024

Future Updates to Enable Dual Messenger on Samsung’s One Hand Operation App – PUNE.NEWS

Samsung is planning to integrate support for the Dual Messenger feature into its One Hand Operation app in future updates, addressing user feedback regarding difficulties in managing multiple accounts on applications like KakaoTalk. Currently, users experience issues when trying to switch between accounts using gestures, as the app does not support launching the Dual Messenger version, leading to complications in account management. A Samsung community moderator has acknowledged these limitations and confirmed that the current version lacks Dual Messenger functionality. The development team is exploring the addition of this support, but no specific timeline for the update has been provided. Users are looking forward to enhancements that will improve the integration of these features for a better messaging experience.

Winsage

October 3, 2024

Windows 11 can now use AI to respond to your text messages | Digital Trends

Microsoft has introduced a new feature called Suggested Replies in its Phone Link app, which provides AI-driven text suggestions to enhance user communication. This feature is available in Phone Link version 1.24082.137.0 for Windows 11 24H2 and 23H2, and does not require users to be part of the Windows Insider Program. Suggested replies are generated based on recent text messages uploaded to a Microsoft service, but will not appear for lengthy messages, those containing URLs, offensive language, or one-time passwords. Users can opt out of this feature through the app's settings. Microsoft is seeking user feedback to improve the feature, but has not announced a timeline for full rollout.

AppWizard

September 27, 2024

WhatsApp Confirms Far-Reaching Feature And New Design Are Almost Here

WhatsApp is introducing a feature called "third-party chats," which will also be available on Facebook's Messenger app, initially exclusive to users in the European Union. This change is a response to the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) aimed at reducing monopolistic practices among tech companies. The feature allows users to manage messages across different platforms more easily, and users can choose to consolidate chats into a single inbox or maintain separate folders. Meta aims to enhance the messaging experience with features like reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts, with plans for group creation and voice/video calling capabilities by 2027. Security will be prioritized, requiring third-party services to use the same encryption protocols as WhatsApp and Messenger.