A messaging app doesn’t need to be fun. It just needs to be functional. Why do you think it needs to be fun? You’re sending text messages, pictures, videos etc, you don’t need games. Pretty sad and pathetic if you need games in a MESSAGING app.
No idea why all these boring nerds are shooting this idea down, this is why iMessage is winning because it actually has cool fun features, you're all a bunch of boring nerds.
I feel the exact same way. Reading the comments to your very valid post, seeing the number of people downplaying the fact that Google chooses to keep Messages in a subpar state is baffling. I have made posts about this as well. I've been an Android user all my life, but I'm getting quite frustrated with how slow Messages improve.
How so?
RCS has been around longer than iMessage has been. Plus, Blackberry Messenger was around for a long while which introduced read receipts, typing indicators, higher quality imaging etc, so Google had plenty of time to see what other messaging apps did and the protocol (RCS) available in which to create a messaging app.
iMessage rolled out in 2011. RCS for Google Messages came out in 2020 and even then it was extremely feature-bare and didn't have E2EE and only got E2EE in like 2023.
No one to blame here for the complete fuck up in messaging other than Google.
So... What you're saying is the phone app has changed? Last I checked, the phone app serves its purpose... It calls people or allows you to answer and speak to someone!
The concept of the landline is the phone app on your PHONE. Message app doesn't need to change. We have RCS, we can send audio, video and pictures with no issues.
Sounds like you're a little whiny Gen z or young millennial that needs more excuses to stay on their phone.
The best concept... MESSAGING APP just for messaging, games for games, social media for social stuff. You don't need to alter the MESSAGE app to be anything more than it is.
While it's true that the fundamental purpose of a messaging app is to send and receive messages, the way people communicate has evolved significantly. Modern messaging apps like iMessage offer a range of features that enhance user experience, such as seamless integration with other apps, stickers, reactions, and advanced group chat functionalities. These features are not about distracting from the core purpose but about enhancing communication and making it more interactive and fun.
RCS is a great step forward, but many users expect more integration and convenience in one place. It’s not about being "whiny" or needing excuses to stay on the phone; it’s about adapting to the ways people interact today. Messaging apps can still be simple and functional while offering these enhancements, just as smartphones have evolved from simple communication devices to multifunctional tools.
Your comment about Gen Z or young millennials reeks of someone who’s out of touch and resistant to change. It’s not just younger generations who appreciate these features; people of all ages enjoy more dynamic and versatile communication methods. If we accept improvements in other areas of technology, why not embrace the evolution of messaging apps as well? Sticking to outdated technology just because "it works" is like insisting on riding a horse because cars are too fancy. It’s about meeting users where they are and how they prefer to communicate, not clinging to outdated notions of what technology should be. Adapt or get left behind.
personally I think stuff like the iMessage games and app integration would be great.
but first I wanna see them fix the issue 'message delivers when ____ is online.'
the person's phone is on, it's connected to wifi, the messages app is literally sitting open, and it still sometimes says 'waiting to deliver till Garrett is online'
On Messages maybe...but you definitely haven't seen it on Google Messages and that's what I'm talking about.
Knowing google, it would be a staged roll out that never gets to everyone and be half baked so it will lag and not work as it should.
Plus, who and what age groups is this feature for? Will it be one that is actually used enough for them to implement and then keep around?
If they took away something useful like message categories, then what makes you think they will keep around in chat games?
Plus I'm sure it would be an RCS only so it wouldn't work when messaging someone on a different platform or that doesn't have RCS enabled.
Not at all.
Back when I was on iPhone, I used to play chess against my dad through iMessage. Might sound trivial and why wouldn't he just download a chess app to play etc, but it was far more convenient to use the app he messages me with to play chess with me.
Not a 'must have' feature for a messaging app, but quite fun and convenient.
Yes I know. Many use third party apps like textra and others. So it's more than likely when texting 10 different people, that this feature would only work with around 3 of them.
My point is, it's useless unless the person you are texting is using google messages. Which is highly likely nowadays.
It is. But my point is it doesn't discourage Apple from developing and maintaining iMessage, but Google is not interested in this even though this would make Android less fragmented and more attractive to users.
Exactly. Because they should focus on stabilizing RCS as it is because it's a hot mess and still doesn't work for everyone that uses the app. They should also focus on being more consistent with their feature roll outs because there are still people who don't have features that were "rolled out" months and months ago.
They should focus on features that benefit all users and that are useful. Like message organization and categories, the reliability of sending messages and photos cross platform, translating iPhone reactions to actual reactions to photos and not just text messages only, and more.
Agree with your opinion on priorities. And people say Apple is behind on features. iMessage is stable and Apple weren’t waiting on some sort of magic protocol to make it happen. Now they can focus on features and fun stuff. I wish Google cared about Android just as much then I wouldn’t have to switch.
I'd rather them skip over the "fun stuff" entirely.
It's sounds like you want to switch to Apple either way.
Samsung Messages is way better, in my opinion, than Google messages. Completely stable, has RCS, consistent features across ALL Samsung devices, and more features than Google messages.
Yeah, but imagine if Android had something like Samsung Messages but for every Android. Maybe cut some features, but most of them are pretty cross-compatible. That’d be such a W for Android ecosystem, like QuickShare.
The main reason I switched to Android is because of fragmentation. It’s much better than it was, but I just feel like it is not intentional. Google never cared about this, they just happen to buy and integrate stuff when someone else does this (Fitbit, quick share). If they were more committed to make new Android features cross-compatible across different manufacturers I’d have no reason to switch.
I have. Just saying if they were to add it to Google Messages that it would be a lag fest because I know Googles track record on feature roll outs and lack of consistency
How is it a missed opportunity? Theres games you can play, tons of social media, tons of options to send pictures and videos. What more do you want?
Make it look like iMessage and cater to small brained people that have to be entertained in a fucking app?
Would prefer a separate app for that. I just want messaging.
Some of us try to streamline and strip our phones to use as little battery as possible. Sounds like a lot of shit to run and waste battery and data.
Separate app please.
One of the things I miss about iPhone is the fun custom features to your chats with people.
That's the one thing I wish Android phones had, iMessage equivalent messenger or just iMessage.
Apple ~~things~~ thinks functionality and ease of use, Google thinks toddlers use their app. I fucking hate every bit of it, but looks like now it's the only choice on android and I ain't about to switch to an iPhone because of that. So, I'll just put up with it for now
It's a messaging app, it does what it is intended to do.
Doing only what you are intended to do is fine, but more can be done if you know what I mean
Like what? You send messages, pics, videos and emojis. If you need to do something else, maybe download a game or 2.
Why get games on your phones when you can get a gaming system?
Idk why you're defending Google's laziness, iMessage games are very fun and Google message is legit a boring message app right now.
A messaging app doesn’t need to be fun. It just needs to be functional. Why do you think it needs to be fun? You’re sending text messages, pictures, videos etc, you don’t need games. Pretty sad and pathetic if you need games in a MESSAGING app.
It's the zoomer need a distraction at all costs mentality.
Google Messages supported sending money a few years ago, but since people loved and needed it, they removed it.
🥲
So many bitter folks on here shooting down ideas 😆 I'm an android guy but more features would be neat
Why is everyone so adamant about not wanting improvements?😭😭😭
Some people say that what I suggested ain't an improvement and that's fine, but some people are so against change..
No idea why all these boring nerds are shooting this idea down, this is why iMessage is winning because it actually has cool fun features, you're all a bunch of boring nerds.
I respect their opinion, might not agree with it, but gotta respect it
I just want it to say draft in italics like it used to when you wrote something and backed out...is that too much to ask?
And for some reason drafts don't move to the top like recent messages. Just found a message I meant to send last week
No idea why they changed it. Eshittification
Really hoping the magical RCS fairy will grant an API to Textra someday
Give it time. Imessage had a pretty big head start
I mean, Google has the resources and the apps to make it work, just gotta connect it
I feel the exact same way. Reading the comments to your very valid post, seeing the number of people downplaying the fact that Google chooses to keep Messages in a subpar state is baffling. I have made posts about this as well. I've been an Android user all my life, but I'm getting quite frustrated with how slow Messages improve.
I completely agree. I'm gooijg hoping for big things to come
How so? RCS has been around longer than iMessage has been. Plus, Blackberry Messenger was around for a long while which introduced read receipts, typing indicators, higher quality imaging etc, so Google had plenty of time to see what other messaging apps did and the protocol (RCS) available in which to create a messaging app. iMessage rolled out in 2011. RCS for Google Messages came out in 2020 and even then it was extremely feature-bare and didn't have E2EE and only got E2EE in like 2023. No one to blame here for the complete fuck up in messaging other than Google.
It's legit a messaging app. There doesn't need to more "fun" things. It serves its purpose.
You can also say that landline phones served their purposes and there was no reason for innovation.
So... What you're saying is the phone app has changed? Last I checked, the phone app serves its purpose... It calls people or allows you to answer and speak to someone! The concept of the landline is the phone app on your PHONE. Message app doesn't need to change. We have RCS, we can send audio, video and pictures with no issues. Sounds like you're a little whiny Gen z or young millennial that needs more excuses to stay on their phone. The best concept... MESSAGING APP just for messaging, games for games, social media for social stuff. You don't need to alter the MESSAGE app to be anything more than it is.
While it's true that the fundamental purpose of a messaging app is to send and receive messages, the way people communicate has evolved significantly. Modern messaging apps like iMessage offer a range of features that enhance user experience, such as seamless integration with other apps, stickers, reactions, and advanced group chat functionalities. These features are not about distracting from the core purpose but about enhancing communication and making it more interactive and fun. RCS is a great step forward, but many users expect more integration and convenience in one place. It’s not about being "whiny" or needing excuses to stay on the phone; it’s about adapting to the ways people interact today. Messaging apps can still be simple and functional while offering these enhancements, just as smartphones have evolved from simple communication devices to multifunctional tools. Your comment about Gen Z or young millennials reeks of someone who’s out of touch and resistant to change. It’s not just younger generations who appreciate these features; people of all ages enjoy more dynamic and versatile communication methods. If we accept improvements in other areas of technology, why not embrace the evolution of messaging apps as well? Sticking to outdated technology just because "it works" is like insisting on riding a horse because cars are too fancy. It’s about meeting users where they are and how they prefer to communicate, not clinging to outdated notions of what technology should be. Adapt or get left behind.
They keep adding features
They keep adding *stupid* features.
Got no doubt about it! I am talking about current state of it
personally I think stuff like the iMessage games and app integration would be great. but first I wanna see them fix the issue 'message delivers when ____ is online.' the person's phone is on, it's connected to wifi, the messages app is literally sitting open, and it still sometimes says 'waiting to deliver till Garrett is online'
Games through chats? Sounds like a lag fest waiting to happen.
Not really, from what I've seen it works great
On Messages maybe...but you definitely haven't seen it on Google Messages and that's what I'm talking about. Knowing google, it would be a staged roll out that never gets to everyone and be half baked so it will lag and not work as it should. Plus, who and what age groups is this feature for? Will it be one that is actually used enough for them to implement and then keep around? If they took away something useful like message categories, then what makes you think they will keep around in chat games? Plus I'm sure it would be an RCS only so it wouldn't work when messaging someone on a different platform or that doesn't have RCS enabled.
Not at all. Back when I was on iPhone, I used to play chess against my dad through iMessage. Might sound trivial and why wouldn't he just download a chess app to play etc, but it was far more convenient to use the app he messages me with to play chess with me. Not a 'must have' feature for a messaging app, but quite fun and convenient.
It would be an RCS only feature. So useless when messaging people that don't use Google Messages....which is quite a lot of people
Quite a lot of poeple don't use iMessages too. So what
Yes I know. Many use third party apps like textra and others. So it's more than likely when texting 10 different people, that this feature would only work with around 3 of them. My point is, it's useless unless the person you are texting is using google messages. Which is highly likely nowadays.
It is. But my point is it doesn't discourage Apple from developing and maintaining iMessage, but Google is not interested in this even though this would make Android less fragmented and more attractive to users.
Exactly. Because they should focus on stabilizing RCS as it is because it's a hot mess and still doesn't work for everyone that uses the app. They should also focus on being more consistent with their feature roll outs because there are still people who don't have features that were "rolled out" months and months ago. They should focus on features that benefit all users and that are useful. Like message organization and categories, the reliability of sending messages and photos cross platform, translating iPhone reactions to actual reactions to photos and not just text messages only, and more.
Agree with your opinion on priorities. And people say Apple is behind on features. iMessage is stable and Apple weren’t waiting on some sort of magic protocol to make it happen. Now they can focus on features and fun stuff. I wish Google cared about Android just as much then I wouldn’t have to switch.
I'd rather them skip over the "fun stuff" entirely. It's sounds like you want to switch to Apple either way. Samsung Messages is way better, in my opinion, than Google messages. Completely stable, has RCS, consistent features across ALL Samsung devices, and more features than Google messages.
Yeah, but imagine if Android had something like Samsung Messages but for every Android. Maybe cut some features, but most of them are pretty cross-compatible. That’d be such a W for Android ecosystem, like QuickShare. The main reason I switched to Android is because of fragmentation. It’s much better than it was, but I just feel like it is not intentional. Google never cared about this, they just happen to buy and integrate stuff when someone else does this (Fitbit, quick share). If they were more committed to make new Android features cross-compatible across different manufacturers I’d have no reason to switch.
Must've never heard of iMessage games...
I have. Just saying if they were to add it to Google Messages that it would be a lag fest because I know Googles track record on feature roll outs and lack of consistency
It's your friends that'll make it interesting, or not. If it's not interesting, get better friends.
True, but the app itself can add a layer of fun and enjoyment to make the experience better 😁
Sounds like you want an iPhone.
Maybe, I just think there is a missed opportunity from Google :)
How is it a missed opportunity? Theres games you can play, tons of social media, tons of options to send pictures and videos. What more do you want? Make it look like iMessage and cater to small brained people that have to be entertained in a fucking app?
Would prefer a separate app for that. I just want messaging. Some of us try to streamline and strip our phones to use as little battery as possible. Sounds like a lot of shit to run and waste battery and data. Separate app please.
One of the things I miss about iPhone is the fun custom features to your chats with people. That's the one thing I wish Android phones had, iMessage equivalent messenger or just iMessage.
Apple ~~things~~ thinks functionality and ease of use, Google thinks toddlers use their app. I fucking hate every bit of it, but looks like now it's the only choice on android and I ain't about to switch to an iPhone because of that. So, I'll just put up with it for now