Google is rolling out significant updates to its Messages app, enhancing user experience with redesigned read receipts and new photo sharing capabilities. These changes represent a substantial evolution in how users interact with the messaging platform.
New Read Receipt Design
Google Messages is introducing a major redesign of its read receipt system. The most notable change moves the receipt indicators from below the message bubble to inside it, specifically in the right-most corner. This new design features an improved animation sequence where an ellipsis appears while sending, followed by a single checkmark that transforms into a double checkmark upon delivery and reading. The redesign creates a cleaner, more streamlined appearance while maintaining functionality.
Enhanced Photo Sharing Options
Taking inspiration from other messaging platforms, Google Messages is implementing a new photo resolution selection feature. Users will soon have the ability to choose between HD and HD+ quality when sending images. The HD option will optimize photos for faster sending with some quality compromise, while HD+ will maintain the original resolution despite requiring more data and time to send. This addition gives users more control over their data usage and image quality preferences.
Time Display Changes
The update also brings a new interaction method for viewing message timestamps. Instead of having the time constantly visible below messages, users will need to press and hold a message and drag it to reveal the sending time. This change contributes to a cleaner interface by reducing visual clutter, though it does require an extra step to access timing information.
Privacy Considerations
In addition to these visual and functional updates, Google is working on expanding privacy options through Profile Discovery settings. Users will have granular control over who can see their profile information, with options to show details to people you message, only contacts, or no one. This enhancement demonstrates Google's commitment to user privacy while maintaining the app's social features.
These updates are currently being rolled out through the beta channel, with version messages.android_20241029_00_RC00.phone_samsung_openbeta_dynamic being the latest test build. While some users are already seeing these changes, a wider release is expected in the coming months as Google gathers feedback and refines the features.