Google has made end-to-end encrypted messages available in one of its most popular Android apps. Now only chat participants will be able to see encrypted content in Messages without special keys.
As you know, the priority for the Messaging application used to be the exchange of SMS and MMS, but now its capabilities have expanded significantly – communication is available in the text messenger mode with the ability to attach images and other media files, as well as other functions. The use of the RCS protocol ensures secure exchange of information.
Beta testers began evaluating the new functionality since November last year, and now it is available to all smartphone owners. It is important to note that to use it, you must enable the chat function in the application settings and provide an Internet connection using Wi-Fi or a mobile network.
It is noteworthy that the exchange of messages with end-to-end encryption will be unavailable in the absence of an Internet connection, during the exchange of “classic” SMS and MMS-messages, as well as when participating in group chats. Encrypted messages will be marked with a padlock and dark blue in the feed.
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Google Messages app will be able to pin conversations and mark individual messages
Over the past few months, the Google Messages app; which is the basic means of sending messages on Android smartphones, has gained a number of useful features. According to online sources, the developers do not intend to stop the development of this product; and soon the application will receive several more new features; including the ability to pin conversations at the top of the list and mark individual messages.
Enthusiasts have examined the Google Messages 8.1.050 code and found in it an indication of the imminent appearance of the previously mentioned functions. The first innovation involves the ability to pin individual conversations at the top of the list. This will make it easier for users to interact with favorite conversations, as they will always remain in sight. At the moment, the Messages code mentions the possibility of pinning up to three conversations to the top of the list, but by the time this function is officially avaialble, this value may be changed.
Along with the function of pinning conversations, enthusiasts have discovered in the code mentions of another useful tool. We are talking about the ability to mark individual messages; for example, some important messages that may be useful in the future. When the user checks it, he can easily find such messages using the search. We can assume that all messages in question will have an asterisk.
It should be noted that at the moment the mentioned functions are not available to users of stable versions of Google Messages. When exactly the developers plan to launch them is still unknown.
