Google has quietly and secretly equipped its Messages app with some new functions in the last few weeks. There was no real announcement of these innovations. Some of them probably still test runs, so that all innovations do not necessarily have to be visible on your devices. However, there are already screenshots for all new features.
Google started a few weeks ago with the new main menu and the link to Google Photos. The new main menu offers a few important menu items. Google Photos is integrated so that you can send photos from the cloud directly to your contacts via a link.
A little later, the first international users also received a new inbox. This divides the incoming messages into categories. Transactions offer, one-time passwords and other categories are possible to have more order in Google Messages. The first tab offers a view of absolutely all messages in chronological order.
Last but not least, Birthday reminders will soon be available in Messages. There is of course a connection to your contacts app. The background might be that Google naturally wants to ensure more interaction. If you get a reminder of a birthday, you should send a message directly via Messages and not via another app. At least that’s the idea.
I’m still of the opinion that Google will soon announce a new feature drop and, in the course of this, officially confirm the numerous innovations in its own apps. In the last few days, we have also seen other innovations for other apps such as the Gboard.