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Featured stories. Google has launched Messages for web, allowing Android phone users to send messages from a web app on their PC or Mac. Google the new feature for Android Messages on Monday and will roll it out over the next week. Messages for web is one of the top requested features, according to Google. To set up Messages for web, users need to install the latest version of the Android Messages app and on a PC go to. On the phone, tap the menu option and select 'Messages for web' and then scan the QR code on the web page with a phone. There's also a toggle to 'Remember this computer'.
The Messages icon will display a red notification on the browser tab when there are unread messages. It also shows a tally of unread messages and there's a dark theme or high-contrast mode to choose from. Besides texting, Messages for web lets users send stickers, emoji, and attached images.
Messages for web is part of a wider feature update for the Messages mobile app, which now also lets users search and share GIFs. Messages is gaining Google's AI-driven Smart Reply feature from the Allo app, which Google as it focuses on the potential SMS replacement, and filling out the Messages app with new features. Previously, Smart Reply in Messages was only available. Two more features in the new Messages app are previews of links sent from friends, and the ability to copy one-time security codes from the app with a tap. As part of its work on RCS, Google announced earlier this year that are including the Android Messages app as the default messaging app.
A notable exception is Samsung. Messages for web works with Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge, but not Internet Explorer.
Image: Google Previous and related coverage Google is teaming up with 15 mobile operators to speed up the adoption of a richer version of SMS that will offer chat apps more competition. Apple's iMessage is the glue that keeps many users on iOS, and now it appears Google is readying a legitimate competitor. (CNET) No more being jealous of iMessage users. Users of Google's video calling app can now leave voicemail-like messages when their calls aren't answered. (TechRepublic) Android users, if you're looking for an incredibly easy way to text from your desktop, Jack Wallen thinks Textto is tough to beat. Here's how to install and use this efficient app. Related Topics.
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Google is beginning to roll out desktop browser support for Android Messages, allowing people to use their PC for sending messages and viewing those that have been received on their Android smartphone. Google says the feature is starting to go out to users today and continuing for the rest of the week.
Text, images, and stickers are all supported on the web version. To get started, the has you scan a QR code using the Android Messages mobile app, which creates a link between the two.
That’s very similar to how — remember Allo? Unfortunately, that section of the Messages app isn’t yet live. Hopefully it won’t be long before it shows up and you can start chatting across platforms. This is one of the first significant steps in Google’s, which is the company’s implementation of Rich Communication Services (RCS) inside Android Messages. If you’re going to be a viable competitor to iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and other chat platforms, a desktop version is pretty critical.
Allo was one swing at that goal, but Google is pausing all efforts and investment in that failed app and betting that Android Messages — the out-of-box default messaging app on many smartphones — represents its best chance at success. Many carriers have also pledged to back Chat and integrate the benefits (read receipts, typing indicators, full-resolution images and video, and improved group texts) offered by RCS. The big downside?
None of this stuff is end-to-end encrypted. In today’s blog post, Google also goes over numerous other recent improvements to Android Messenger including built-in GIF search, support for smart replies on more carriers, inline link previews, and authentication messages. Correction June 18th 3:05PM ET: The article originally said that Wi-Fi must be enabled on your Android device for web messaging to work. That's not the case; Google recommends that if you're experiencing problems with the feature, you should toggle Wi-Fi “off and on again.” But it also works over cellular data.