Google’s New Messenger App Lands on Google Play

Google has a fancy new Messenger app available through Google Play today, switching out your antiquated text messaging hub, replacing it with something a bit more favorable.

As for features, Google allows for “faster sharing” through the new Messenger app, bringing a quick attachment button right inside the text field. In addition, users can block spammers or crazy exes by blacklisting SMS senders, meaning no more interruptions.

Here is the full feature list. 

• Faster sharing: Select or take pictures and videos directly from the app and share easily. You can even send audio messages to your contacts.
• Easy search: Search through contacts and conversation threads to find exactly what you are looking for.
• Purposeful design: New, fluid, material design that is intuitive and delightful.
• More control: Ability to block SMS senders. No interruptions when you don’t want them!
• More features: audio messages, emoji support

Play Link

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Google Play on Android has its flattest design yet

Ever since Google officially unveiled Android L this past summer, we’ve been looking forward to Material Design continuing to spread across the company’s software offerings. One of those that’s received a lot of attention has been the Play Store, and over the past several months we’ve had a few opportunities to check out leaks detailing the ways the Play Store was set to evolve with the arrival of this refresh. This week, the changes go live, as Google begins distribution of its Play Store 5.0 release.

If you’ve been following those leaks you’ve already got a good sense of what to expect: some content reorganization, adjustments to color tones, and a flat, clean look. Speaking of flat, a new icon has arrived for the Play Store, abandoning all pretense of depicting any depth for its shopping bag logo. Beyond that, there’s also a new icon for notifications.

Layout improvements highlight the “what’s new” section for app listings, helping to keep users informed of how their favorite apps are improving. The way you interact with that info is improved as well, with it getting smarter about how to expand when you tap to read more.

Play Store 5.0 (or 5.0.31 if you’re being picky about it) is on its way out to Android phones and tablets now. If you’re not the waiting type, hit up the source link to grab an APK and manually update it early yourself.

Source: Android Police

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