Messaging

Google released the first Android 15 Developer Preview last month, and today the second one is out. This is still not a public beta, the first one of those is set to arrive in April. Instead, like the first preview, it's also intended for developers to be able to check their apps against. Android 15 release timeline The big new feature introduced by Android 15 DP2 is support for satellite connectivity at the operating system level. The OS now includes some UI elements that are designed to "ensure a consistent user…

Rich Communication Services or RCS messaging is broken for some Samsung Galaxy smartphone users. RCS is reportedly fumbling with messages or dropping them entirely. RCS offers enhanced functionality compared to standard text messaging (SMS) and has built-in encryption and read receipt support. Google’s long-standing dream is fast becoming a reality, oftentimes forced, for Android smartphone users and the cracks could be showing. RCS is broken on Android smartphones but primarily affects Galaxy devices Several Samsung…

Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends Amid the rise of third-party messaging apps, texting remains a popular means of messaging in the U.S. If you own an Android phone, you’ve likely used or heard of Google Messages, which is positioned as the default text messaging app for Android. It is the culmination of Google’s long history with multiple messaging platforms. Google has pursued smartphone companies to use its Dialer and Messages apps as their default since at least 2017 and now mandates them to use Google Messages as the…

You might have heard of the Beeper Mini app, which had added support for iMessage in Android. However, the time wasn’t in its favor and Apple officially banned it later. They have launched a new messaging app for Android with a complete redesign and many new features. The new Beeper messaging app will be entirely different from the previous app they had, it’s redesigned. Beeper opens beta testing for its new, redesigned messaging app The new Beeper for Android is finally here and all the eligible beta testers have…

Instagram has rolled out several new features for its Direct Messaging (DM) section which are likely to improve private conversations and make the experience more personalised. The new Instagram DM features include an option to edit messages, chat pinning, read receipts controls, and more. Meta's newest social media platform Threads has also received new gesture-based controls for its app. Notably, the new features arrived just days after Instagram added a new lock screen widget for iOS that lets users quickly click a…

In a continual effort to enrich user experience, Meta Platforms-owned WhatsApp is set to introduce a new feature allowing users to send messages to third-party apps such as Signal and Telegram. The eagerly anticipated update, marked as version 2.24.6.2, was revealed by WABetaInfo.Cross-App ConnectivityThis innovative move by WhatsApp aligns with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), emphasizing chat interoperability to foster seamless communication across various platforms. In response to the DMA, WhatsApp had previously…

Apple announced an important update to iMessage, which, according to the company, might have turned this app into the safest messaging app available today. The Security Research team upgraded iMessage with a new post-quantum cryptographic protocol that improves end-to-end secure messaging.Apple says that “with compromise-resilient encryption and extensive defenses against even highly sophisticated quantum attacks, PQ3 is the first messaging protocol to reach Level 3 security — providing protocol protections that…

Instant messaging app Signal is best known for its privacy-related settings, though with phone numbers being the heart of the platform since its inception, there was no way to fully hide your own number until now. Earlier today, Signal announced that you'll soon be able to create a unique username (not to be mistaken with your profile name), which you can share with others via a link or QR code — as opposed to sharing your number. You'll be able to change your unique username as often as you want, but it needs to contain…

In the colourful world of instant messaging, emojis and GIFs have grown to be imperative tools for expressing emotions and adding flair to conversations. However, what takes place when you cannot find the appropriate GIF to carry your message? Fear not, as we unveil a simple yet powerful technique to create your very own GIFs on iPhone, without the need for third-party apps.Enter Apple's Shortcuts app, a flexible tool that empowers users to automate tasks and streamline workflows. With the help of Shortcuts and Siri…

In September 2023, the European Commission opened an investigation to determine if Apple’s iMessage qualifies as a Core Platform Service. Today, the agency has concluded that the messaging platform doesn’t qualify as one. It means that Apple will not have to open iMessage to other messaging platforms, such as Messenger and WhatsApp. This is a huge win for the Cupertino-based tech giant and it allows the company to continue keeping users locked into its ecosystem of products and services. Along with it, the European…