Google's new app lets you send texts directly from computer
What's the story
Google has finally started rolling out web browser support for its Android Messages app.
This new feature, which works like WhatsApp Web or Apple's iMessage, will allow you to receive and send messages straight from your computer.
Besides text, the web version will also support images, videos, stickers, and GIFs which you use on your smartphones.
Here's all about this much-anticipated feature.
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Cross-platform experience for Android messages
"With Android Messages, we're creating a messaging experience that's available on multiple devices, lets you share whatever you want to share and makes it easy to take action on your messages with Google AI," Google said in a blog post.
Easy-peasy
Here's how to get started with this new feature
To get started, download Android Messages app on to your smartphone.
Go to Android Messages website on your desktop's web browser to find a QR code.
Now open Android Messages app on your phone, tap the More menu at the top-right corner and select Messages for Web.
Scan the QR code with your phone to establish a link between the web-client and Messages app.
Additional features
Android Messages app also gets updated with Smart Reply feature
Google has also updated its Android Messages app with Smart Reply - an AI-based feature which intelligently suggests texts and emoji for quicker replies.
Moreover, the messaging app also gets other features such as previewing links within conversations, copying OTPs with a single tap and the ability to search for and send GIF files using the app.
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The feature will roll-out to everyone over the next week
"Messages for web is starting to roll out today, with the rest of these features coming to the Messages app over the next week. You can try them out by updating your app to the latest version or by downloading (Android) Messages," said Google.
Cross-platform
Google's first major step towards Chat
Google has been working to take on Apple's iMessage with Chat - an integration of Rich Communication Service (RCS) inside Android Messages.
Chat, which is a carrier-based service rather than an Internet-based over-the-top service, requires telecom companies to replace SMS with RCS.
And while RCS has a decent support from OEMs and carriers, having a cross-platform support is indeed a first major step forward.