Google Messages could be getting “Profiles” to share your information with other users
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Google has been reportedly working on a Profiles feature for its Messages application for several months. This feature appears to be a way for users to have their desired name, photo and other information attached to their contact card within the application.
The “Profiles” feature was spotted in an APK teardown by 9to5Google, which helped identify more details on what it could do. According to this teardown, code was found in the latest beta version of Google Messages (v20231106_01_RC00) which describes Profiles as a way for users to “Choose your profile name & picture so people can recognize you.”
“Profiles” was originally spotted back in January as a preferences page in Android system settings, although the toggle was not functional when turned on. This suggested that Profiles could be a standalone feature that is managed by Google Messages, rather than being part of RCS.
If Profiles are implemented, it is likely that they would appear at the top of conversations in Google Messages. I would speculate that tapping on a profile name or photo could then open a profile page with more information about the user that other users could then save to the corresponding contact card.
Google has not yet announced a release date for the Profiles feature. However, given that it has been in development for several months and is now appearing in beta versions of the app, it will likely be released shortly.
Google Messages Profiles have the potential to be a significant new feature that would improve the messaging experience for users. It will be interesting to see how Google implements Profiles and how it integrates them with other Messages features, such as RCS and group chats.
Questions & Answers
Q.What information will users be able to include in their new Profiles?
What information will users be able to include in their new Profiles?
Users will be able to create a profile with their desired name, a photo, and other information. This content will be attached to their contact card within the application, helping others recognise them in conversations.
Q.How was this new Profiles feature initially discovered?
How was this new Profiles feature initially discovered?
The Profiles feature was initially spotted in an APK teardown performed by 9to5Google. Further details were identified through code found in the latest beta version of Google Messages, specifically v20231106_01_RC00.
Q.Will this Profiles feature be part of RCS or a separate function?
Will this Profiles feature be part of RCS or a separate function?
The article suggests that Profiles could be a standalone feature managed directly by Google Messages. This possibility arose because it was first seen as a preferences page in Android system settings, separate from RCS.
Q.When might users expect the Profiles feature to be released?
When might users expect the Profiles feature to be released?
Google has not announced a release date for the Profiles feature. However, as it has been in development for several months and is now appearing in beta app versions, it is likely to be released shortly.
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