Connect with us

Google

Google Messages introduces new privacy controls for profile discovery

Published

on

Google Messages

Google Messages, the main platform for RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging on Android, continues to expand its features. As more companies move away from their messaging apps in favor of Google Messages, the app must adapt to meet the expectations of its growing user base.

A notable update is the introduction of Profile Discovery, which allows users to manage how their profile is shown to others. Google first introduced this feature in November 2023, and though it hasn’t been fully rolled out, there are signs that Google is addressing privacy concerns related to profile visibility.

What’s New in Profile Discovery?

Profile Discovery in Google Messages lets users control how others see their information. Users can choose between showing either their full name or a short version of it. They can also decide whether to display their profile picture.

In the beta version of Google Messages (v20241010), new privacy settings offer more detailed controls. Users will have the following options for managing their profile visibility:

  1. People You Message: This setting allows anyone you communicate with to see your name and profile picture. It acts similarly to making your profile “Public,” meaning people can find you through your phone number when using the Profile Discovery feature.
  2. Only Your Contacts: With this option, your profile details, including your name and picture, will only be visible to those saved in your phone’s contact list.
  3. No One: If you select this option, no one will be able to see your name or profile picture.

These privacy choices will likely be shown to users the first time they log into Google Messages after the update. Afterward, users can access these settings by going to the “Your Profile” section within the account switcher.

Addressing Privacy Concerns

One uncertainty remains—whether the “No One” option will fully disable the Profile Discovery feature. However, these new privacy settings should resolve many concerns about unwanted visibility. Previously, people feared that their names and profile pictures were too easily accessible to others, including those who might search for them randomly by number.

While these new options provide greater control over who can see your information, there is still no way to set a different profile name or picture exclusively for Google Messages. The app uses the name and profile picture from your main Google account, such as your Gmail photo.

Gradual Rollout and What’s Next

It’s worth noting that the Profile Discovery feature hasn’t been released to all Google Messages users yet. Even though it has been almost a year since it was first announced, Google seems to be focused on addressing these privacy issues before pushing it out to everyone. While there’s no official timeline for when this feature will be available to all users, the ongoing developments indicate Google is taking privacy concerns seriously as it prepares for a broader rollout.

This privacy-focused update in Google Messages marks an important step in enhancing user control, ensuring that the app evolves to meet the needs of its expanding user base without compromising security or privacy.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Google

New Pixel Watch feature simplifies phone swaps

Published

on

Google Pixel Watch

Google has introduced a smart new tool for Pixel Watch owners to ease the transition when upgrading to a new phone. The latest Pixel Watch app update (version 2.2) now includes a “Switch phone” prompt that pops up when the app notices your watch is linked to a different device. This alert, visible on the app’s home screen, guides you to connect your watch to the new phone effortlessly.

The feature walks users through the steps to transfer their Pixel Watch, ensuring a smooth setup. Once completed, the prompt vanishes, and the app updates to show the new connection. It supports all models—Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3—but requires the newest app version, so you may need to update.

This addition addresses a common hassle where users forget to re-pair their watch after switching phones, which can lead to syncing issues. However, the reminder might feel a bit insistent for those not ready to make the switch immediately. It’s unclear if you can turn off the prompt for good.

Google’s attention to practical tweaks like this highlights their commitment to improving user experience. The phone switch feature saves time and reduces frustration, especially for frequent phone upgraders. If you’ve recently changed phones, open the Pixel Watch app to check out this helpful tool.

Continue Reading

Android

Google’s May 2025 Android updates: better performance and messaging

Published

on

Google

Google’s May 2025 Android updates bring exciting changes to improve how your phone works and how you message. These updates focus on making devices faster, safer, and more user-friendly.
One big change is to Android’s memory system. By increasing the memory page size from 4KB to 16KB on newer devices, apps can load quicker and use less power. This helps phones, especially those with modern chips, run smoothly and save battery life. Older devices will stick with the smaller page size to avoid issues.

The Google System Updates for May also add new features. Google Wallet now supports more card types and makes transit passes easier to use in apps like Google Maps. The Play Store now shows video previews of apps, helping you decide what to download. There are also fixes to improve battery life, storage, and network performance, making your phone more reliable.

For Google Messages, a new “delete for everyone” feature lets you remove sent messages from group chats within 15 minutes. This works for both RCS and SMS, so you can fix mistakes easily. Other messaging upgrades include better scam detection and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos. These updates show Google’s effort to make Android devices faster, more secure, and better for communication. Keep your phone updated to enjoy these improvements!

Continue Reading

Google

Smart home and navigation upgrades for easier living

Published

on

Google

Google Maps is making driving more fun with a new feature for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Now, you can pick different car icons to show your vehicle on the map. Choose from options like a sleek sedan, a rugged SUV, or a cool arrow.

This small change adds a personal touch to your navigation and is rolling out to all users soon. Meanwhile, Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera is getting a big upgrade with Google Home support. You can now see who’s at your door right from the Google Home app, view live video, and even talk to visitors.

If you have a Nest Hub, the doorbell feed pops up automatically when someone rings. This feature, already available for Ecobee’s thermostat, makes your smart home setup smoother and is available now for all users. On the AI front, Google’s Gemini app is getting smarter with the Gemini 2.5 Pro preview.

This update improves coding skills, helping developers create better apps and websites. It also handles video and text tasks more effectively. The preview is out for everyone to try, with Google planning to share more at its I/O 2025 event. These updates from Google and Ecobee bring small but meaningful improvements, making your car rides, home security, and digital tasks easier and more enjoyable.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 I AM Judge