Google Messenger is another messaging app from guess who? Google. The search engine giant has four chat apps, among them Allo, Duo, and Hangouts.
Apparently, Google is updating this Messenger app to version 2.0 and with it comes a number of interesting features. For starters, you should notice a new, redesigned user interface. In addition, the app itself comes with a rounded icon, which simply means that it is made with Android Nougat users in mind.
The new APK file can be used with devices using Android 4.4 KitKat and above and it is already available for downloading via the Google Play Store. Since this version is already a stable version, it will install on top of the current version without any problems.
In addition to coming in with a rounded icon, the Google Messenger v2.0 app comes with a changed bar icon as well as a new color palette that takes after the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. When inside the app, you will notice more changes on the UI, with the “New Message” page seeing some rearrangements. The “All contacts” and “Frequent” tabs have been given a refreshed, unified look instead of existing as tabs. If you’ve seen the changes on WhatsApp, where the frequently contacted people appear at the top, followed by all contacts’ list.
The round effect of Android Nougat and Google Pixel phones can also be felt when inside the conversations. The updated Google Messenger has the message bubbles looking smoother around the corners than before. The “Send” button has been beefed up to include a caption just under the paper plane icon. This reads “SMS” or “MMS” depending on the message being sent at a given moment.
Other than these already mentioned updates, the latest Google Messenger v2.0 comes with another interesting clue thanks to the inclusion of JibeService. Even though it is too early to jump to any conclusions, it could imply that Google has plans to add support for Rich Communication Services or simply RCS. With RCS, Google Messenger will be able to add features such as group chats, video calls, ability to share rich media as well as all the other features you already enjoy through the likes of WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger as well as Google’s own IM apps.
It gets even better as anyone who is using a platform that doesn’t support RCS messages will still receive the messages as SMS. However, none of these features are available in the latest Google Messenger v2.0, but it is clear what Google wants for its Messenger app. On the flip side, it could get more chaotic with Google’s apps especially since the company has been pushing Allo as an app that can take care of all basic communications on mobile devices.