Google has a large suite of products and services, meaning it has to put forth a large effort to ensure that they all meet the wants and needs of users. When it comes to ones likeMessages, the UI is critical to keep people coming back, given the stark competition in the instant messaging space. Now, an update to Messages seems to indicate that Google could be developing tweaks to enhance personalization.
As spotted byAssembleDebugon X (formerly Twitter) and shared onTelegram, certain flags appear to suggest that Google is testing new wallpaper and color options for Messages. This could give users the ability to customize the look and feel of the app to suit their preferences, though it’s also possible Material You dynamic theming would continue to happen automatically and this would simply be a bolder version of the wallpaper-matched colors we already see in the app.
Additionally,AssembleDebugidentified a new profile discovery feature. It seems to give users the option to make their profile discoverable across the platform, if they so choose. They can also upload profile photos and change their name in Messages. However, none of these features have been confirmed by Google, and it’s possible that they may never debut.
This is just some of the work the company has been doing to enhance Messages as of late. At the start of November 2023, the web-based version of the app was tweaked to allow users tosign in with a Google account, rather than a QR code. As a result, you can now use the service across multiple devices. While this might seem like a minor change, it resolved an all-too-common pain point for users that may have steered some away from the app.
In September 2023, similar minor but significanttweaks to voice messageswere rumored to be in the works. At least one Messages user spotted a redesigned UI that featured a new button for downloading media, as well as more for starting and stopping recording. The UI seemed to draw inspiration from the Recorder app, which is featured on Pixel phones. Again, they may only save you a few seconds while using Messages, but these slight changes could be enough to enhance its practicality.
Google appears to know the value of maintaining a rewarding user experience. By continuing to evolve the UI of Messages, for example, the company is doing what it can to retain its users. In the end, this could be all it needs to keep up with the competition. With apps like Messenger and WhatsApp debuting UI enhancements on a rolling basis, Google has to take note. If app users seek a more personalized experience, for example, the company has no choice but to follow suit if it wants Messages to remain a viable option.
