Texting from Android to iPhone? Google’s new update may make it even weirder

Google decided to match the power of Apple with its Messages app. The app is getting a series of updates that will bring the texting functionality to a better par with it iMessage from Apple And the Meta WhatsApp. But one feature, which is designed to make emoji reactions more consistent, can be initially annoying to anyone who uses a non-Android phone or a third-party Android texting app.

according to Thursday’s blog post, The Messages app will now allow you to reply to any text with an emoji. But when the conversation doesn’t end RCS – The text messaging standard that Google uses to provide enhanced features in its Messages app – It will do so by sending an SMS indicating the emoji used while quoting the message intended for the reaction. This is similar to how the iPhone handles emoji reactions to text messages between iPhone and Android users.

Google added earlier this year a feature Translates those texts from iPhone into the appropriate emoji interaction for Android devices.

Google’s Jan Jedrzejowicz, who serves as chief product at Messages, said at a reporters roundtable that the feature is intended to add consistency to the Messages app rather than block the interaction feature from non-RCS conversations entirely. Regarding how texts initially appear in Apple’s iMessage, Jedrzejowicz said it’s up to Apple to decide whether or not to parse those texts into the appropriate emoji reaction.

Upcoming message updates will also bring inline replies to the app, the ability to watch YouTube videos within the conversation and proactive suggestions based on texts in the conversation. These suggestions can include setting a reminder if a birthday is mentioned, suggesting “highlight” a message if it includes important details (such as a door opening code) or setting up a Google Meet call if the conversation mentions the need to set up for a meeting. These suggestions can be turned off if they feel too intrusive.

Google is also expanding the availability of the voice-messaging feature offered on the Pixel 7. This feature will come to the Pixel 6 line as well as Samsung’s Galaxy S22, Z Fold 4, and Z Flip 4.

The Google Messages app will get a new set of icons, which will feature blue overlapping shapes for Messages, Phone, and Contacts.

Google will partner with United Airlines to bring free RCS messages to flights via in-flight Wi-Fi. This is similar to other airlines’ offerings, which include free texting via services like iMessage and WhatsApp.

While many of these features are already common in competing text messaging apps, they are especially relevant like Google continues to pay Apple To consider adopting the RCS text messaging standard. RCS is offered as an alternative to SMS and MMS because it is able to support features that older standards cannot, including type pointers, high-quality images, and message encryption. However, Google is largely leading RCS, and the standard is generally not available outside of the company’s Messages app on Android.