Google has recently been updating its apps with useful features, mostly centred on Gemini integration and improving user experience. After upgrading the pinning limit of conversations to 20, Google plans to improve the Messages app with minor but useful upgrades.
A recent beta build code spotted by Android Authority reveals these upcoming changes. While the features aren’t live yet, their presence in the beta code indicates that they will later make their way to the stable version.
Opening Saved Media
One of the changes in the beta version has to do with saving shared media like photos. Currently, after saving a media file, a pop-up message confirms that the file has indeed been saved. An added feature is that it won’t just send a confirmatory message, but will also include a tappable Open button to let you view the file.
It’s a small but useful feature. Without the Open option, you can still view the file on the Messages app. But with the feature, you can confirm that it has actually been saved by opening it on another app.
Bigger Gemini icon
Gemini on the Messages app is denoted with a small floating icon at the bottom right. For whatever reason, Google will make the icon slightly bigger to draw your attention. The company probably hopes more people will be willing to use Gemini if it becomes noticeable to them and is not overlooked in the tiny spot it occupies. For regular users of Gemini, the larger button makes it easier to tap. It’s not much of an upgrade but it is something Google thought to include.
One-time location
The last change has to do with sharing your location. Currently on the app, after tapping the plus sign at the left of the text box, one of the options displayed is Location. That may soon be changed to ‘One-time Location’.
This may be Google’s way of making it clear that the location sharing option works for your current location and not your live location. The option in the code is described as ‘enable_live_location_sharing_extension’, making it unclear if the option shares the live location or only the user’s location at the time of sharing.
These changes are all in the beta version for now and may or may not make it to the full version of Messages. If they do materialise, we will see them on the app very soon.
