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Google is working on end-to-end encryption for RCS texts in Messages
Google Messages code hints that plans are underway to secure RCS chats with end-to-end encryption.
Messages on the Mac may finally catch up to its iOS counterpart
Apple is reportedly preparing to give macOS' Messages app a long-overdue overhaul that provides parity with its iOS counterpart.
China reportedly spread COVID-19 misinformation
A report by The New York Times claims Chinese operatives helped spread false COVID-19 information via text and social media across the US.
Samsung adds Google Duo to the Galaxy S20 dialer
Samsung has confirmed rumors that its Galaxy S20 lineup will integrate Google Duo. From the dialer, users will simply tap Duo to start a video call in Full HD with 5G. And, since Duo works across operating systems, you won't be limited to who you can video chat with.
RCS messaging is now available to all Android users in the US
After years of delays and very limited rollouts, next-generation texting is finally available to all Android users in the US. Android Messages product manager Sanaz Ahari has confirmed that the American RCS rollout completed on December 9th, or a few weeks ahead of Google's end-of-2019 target. If you still don't have the rich chat technology, you'll want to be sure that both Android Messages and Carrier Services are up to date.
WhatsApp tests disappearing messages in its Android app
WhatsApp is testing disappearing messages. The feature appeared as a beta in version 2.19.275 of the Android app and was spotted by WABetaInfo. In the beta, the disappearing messages are available in group chats only, and they can be set to self-destruct in five seconds or an hour. There's no in-between, and you can't select individual messages to disappear -- they all vanish or none of them do.
'Whisper' laser tech sends audible messages to specific people
Researchers from MIT have discovered a way to send highly targeted audio signals directly to someone's ear at a distance using laser beams. The system works using the "photoacoustic" effect, where water vapor in the air absorbs light, forming sound waves. The research may pave the way to systems that allow audible messages to be transmitted to spies or other agents, warning them of impending danger like an active shooter.
Android's stock texting app now includes anti-spam safeguards
Your Android phone's text messages could soon be relatively junk-free without needing help from carriers. Android Police has learned that Google is rolling out spam protection to the Messages app for at least some users. It's not clear just what the feature looks for, but Google is clearly aware of the potential privacy issues. While the company does have to transmit some message-related data to Google, it doesn't send any of the content itself.
Google’s messaging app strategy is still a mess
The rumors were true. Google is killing Allo, its smart messaging app, for good. The platform will "continue to work through March 2019," the company said in a blog post, and users can export their conversation history until then. The so-called "classic" version of Google Hangouts, meanwhile, is slowly being sunset too. In a convoluted Twitter exchange, Scott Johnston, the head of Hangouts and Google Voice, explained to Stephen Hall, a 9to5Google reporter, that Hangouts users will eventually be upgraded to Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet, a Slack-like competitor and video chat service aimed at businesses and other GSuite customers. This sucks.
Google adds more media and messaging options to Android Auto
Google is rolling out media playback and messaging updates on Android Auto to make it more convenient while keeping safety at the forefront. The refreshed media interface should quickly help you find something you want to listen to , while the system can display short previews of texts -- but only when the car is stopped.
Twitch may have exposed some users' private messages
Some Twitch users' private messages may have been exposed due to a bug. The streaming platform killed the messages feature in May, and gave users the chance to download an archive of their private communications.
Android Messages hits the web for browser-based texting
Google added Rich Communication Services (RCS) into its Android OS to help it compete with Apple's popular iMessage. Google has also been exploring texting from your web browser since at least February. Now the feature appears to be officially available, and will roll out over the next week or so, along with four other features.
iOS 12 uses third-party apps to report spam calls and messages
Right now, there isn't much you can do to fight spam calls and text messages directly from your iPhone. You can report iMessages, but not much more. That's all set to change with iOS 12, however. Hidden amidst the many other feature updates is support for third-party app extensions that will let you report unwanted calls or texts from within the Phone and Messages apps. You'll just have to swipe on an offending number or chat to pop up the option to flag it, block it or both.
Apple lets you create your own personalized Animoji
Animoji were a surprisingly fun part of the iPhone X experience, and Apple just stepped things up significantly with the announcement of Memoji. As you might expect, this lets users create their own Animoji characters based on your own look. It's a pretty huge addition that users will likely have a blast with.
macOS update delivers Messages in iCloud
Don't panic, Mac users -- just because Apple only released iOS 11.4 at first doesn't mean it has forgotten about you. The company has posted a macOS High Sierra 10.13.5 update that supports Messages in iCloud, providing both more consistent chat syncing across your Apple-made devices as well as a way to free up space. You can delete a message on your iMac and expect it to vanish on your iPhone, or set up a new MacBook and access your entire conversation history.
Facebook wiped Zuckerberg's conversations from people's inboxes
Facebook recently paid for full-page newspaper adverts claiming that it had a "responsibility to protect your information," adding that if it couldn't, it didn't "deserve it." It is, therefore, slightly unfortunate that just weeks later, the site has been forced to admit that it bent its own rules for the benefit of its leaders.
Apple Pay Cash is available in iMessage to iOS 11.2 beta users
If you've been waiting like we have for Apple to finally launch its Venmo-like competitor after the release of iOS 11, now's the time. According to reports at TechCrunch and CNET, Apple is soft launching peer-to-peer money transfer via iOS 11.2 beta right in the Messages app.
YouTube's iOS app shares videos to iMessage with ease
You'd think YouTube's iOS app would have had iMessage sharing early on, but no -- sharing clips to Apple's official messaging client has been a cumbersome affair. Not so after today, however. YouTube has quietly updated the app with a direct-to-Messages sharing option. Tap that and you can quickly send a clip to a friend. The video will play directly in the Messages app, too, so recipients don't have to leave chat to start watching. It's a simple addition, but it promises to make life decidedly easier if you frequently express yourself with funny cat videos.
Facebook and Instagram are finally integrated, sort of
Facebook bought Instagram way back in 2012, but you almost wouldn't know it from how separate they are. Outside of Instagram's options to log in with and post to Facebook, you almost wouldn't know the two entities are connected. However, that's changing in a big way... for the corporate crowd, at least. Facebook is launching a unified Pages Manager inbox that lets businesses see and reply to their Facebook, Messenger and Instagram interactions in one place. If you complain about a faulty product in an Instagram comment, you're just as likely to be answered as if you'd sent a scathing Facebook message.
WhatsApp lets you doodle on photos and videos
Even a straightforward messaging service like WhatsApp isn't immune to the allure of adding Snapchat-style features. The Facebook-owned app is introducing the option to draw on photos and videos, including emoji. If you don't think that puppy photo is charming enough by itself, you can easily doodle on it to make your point. More interested in improving the quality of the shots themselves? Don't worry, you're getting a couple of upgrades as well.
