New features in Google Messages and updated look for Google Discover

Google is rolling out new features in its popular apps, Google Messages and Google Discover, introducing enhancements that aim to improve user experience and streamline communication. Here’s everything you need to know about these updates.

Google Messages: New “Sending as” Profile Notice

Google Messages has introduced a new feature called the “Sending as” notification, which is part of the ongoing updates in the app’s beta version. This notice is designed to give users more control over how their profile appears in conversations, especially in chats using RCS (Rich Communication Services).

What’s New with “Sending as” Notice?

• Visible Profile Reminder: When you start typing a message, a new “Sending as” line appears just above the text field. It displays your Google Account profile picture and name, making it clear who is sending the message.
• Disappearing Line: Once the message is sent, this line vanishes from the conversation thread, keeping the chat interface clean.
• Availability: Initially seen in the beta version (20241112_00_RC00), this feature is now also appearing in the stable version (20241029_00_RC01), making it accessible to a broader user base.

Profile Sharing Feature

Google Messages also includes an updated Profile Sharing option, previously called Profile Discovery. This feature helps users share their Google Account profile details, like their name and picture, with others in the conversation.

• Enhanced Recognition: This update is particularly useful in group chats, helping participants easily identify each other based on their profile photos and names.
• Overrides Contact Photos: If you share your profile, it can override any existing contact photo the recipient has saved. However, the recipient’s saved contact name remains unchanged if it’s different from your profile name.

Customization Options for Profile Visibility

Users can control who can see their profile information through the “Your Profile” settings in the Google Messages app. Here are the three privacy options:

1. People You Message: Only those you message will see your profile name and picture.
2. Only Your Contacts: Your profile is visible only to people you message who are also in your contacts.
3. No One: Your profile remains hidden, even when you send messages.

If you accidentally share your profile with an unknown or spam contact, Google allows you to block and report the conversation. This action immediately removes your profile information from the chat, ensuring the spammer cannot see your name or picture anymore.

Google Discover: Updated Material You Design

Google Discover, the personalized news feed accessible by swiping right on the home screen or via the Google app, is getting a design update. This update integrates Google’s Material You design language, aligning it with other recently modernized Google apps. However, the changes are subtle rather than a complete redesign.

New Design Features in Google Discover

• Visual Enhancements: The updated look features a large, circular “+” button on some news cards, allowing users to quickly engage with the content. However, this button does not appear on every card.
• Merged Image and Title: The new design merges the article image and title into a single card, giving a more streamlined appearance. Previously, images and titles were separated by a thin horizontal line.
• Rounded Corners: The cards retain the four rounded corners, which align with the overall aesthetic of Material You. The image occupies the top section of the card, while the title is displayed at the bottom, providing a cleaner look.

Rollout and Availability

The new design for Google Discover is not yet widely available. Some users have reported seeing it on specific devices, like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. However, many users, including those on devices like the Pixel 8, still have the older version of Discover. The rollout appears to be part of an experimental phase, likely tied to the Google app’s beta version.

• Gradual Rollout: The change is currently limited to a select group of users, indicating that Google might be testing the design before a full release. It’s expected that if a user notices the new look in one version of Discover (such as in the Google app or on the home screen swipe), it will likely appear across both versions for them.

Google’s Experimental Approach

It’s common for Google to test new features with a limited audience before making them widely available. This phased rollout allows them to gather user feedback and make necessary adjustments. The recent changes to Google Discover were first spotted in late October, with some users sharing their experience on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Given the limited access, the updates are likely still in the beta testing phase, refining the user interface based on user feedback.

Final Thoughts

Google’s continuous updates to its apps, including Google Messages and Google Discover, reflect its commitment to enhancing user experience. The new “Sending as” profile notice in Google Messages provides more clarity and control in conversations, while the refreshed look of Google Discover aligns it with the broader Material You aesthetic. As these features roll out, users can expect a more cohesive and visually appealing experience across Google’s suite of apps.

Keep an eye on your app updates to see when these changes might appear on your device, and enjoy the improved functionalities designed to make your interactions smoother and more intuitive.