Even though Samsung Messages now supports RCS messaging, Google Messages remains a better platform for all Android users. There are a lot of features in the pipeline. In fact, you’ll also need Google Messages for E2EE RCS chats with your iPhone friends. Now, a Google Messages app teardown is revealing more intriguing features, such as the ability to “mention” someone in group chats and more.
Google Messages might soon let you “mention” someone in group chats
For now, if you use WhatsApp and Telegram for group chats, you get an option to “mention” or tag someone. Even Slack has the functionality. It notifies them when you tag them in a group chat, which is much more efficient than just mentioning their name. Now, Google Messages could support the “mention” tag as well. According to Android Authority, the “mentions” feature is available in the latest beta version of the Google Messages app.
Unfortunately, there’s not much known about how this functionality will work for now. However, given that the functionality is quite popular across other messaging apps, you might already know. We’ll keep you posted if more details emerge.
Apart from this, Google Messages may also be headed for a UI tweak. In a separate update, Android Authority’s AssembleDebug revealed that Google Messages is getting a redesign inspired by Android 16’s Material 3 switches. Thankfully, the source has added some screenshots of the tentatively upcoming redesign in Google Messages and how that compares to the current UI. You can have a look at the screenshots below.
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- Google Messages’ upcoming UI
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- Google Messages’ current UI
AssembleDebug disclaimer that the redesign hasn’t “been finalized” yet. But the redesign seems very plausible, aligning well with Android 16. That reminds me. There are still rumors that Samsung could release One UI 8.0 a bit earlier than One UI 7.0 to compensate for the delay. If that comes true, it would honestly make up for the delay, at least in my opinion. What do you think?
