After the main Google app and Google Keyboard are updated, here’s a new Messenger app from Google. This is a new app that is meant for SMS messaging so you can stay in touch with family and friends all the time. This also allows MMS messaging to any phone, as well as, group texts. If you still want to share more media, you can do so and send photos, audio messages, and videos.
The Google Messenger app also allows easy searching through conversation threads and contacts. You are sure to find what you’re looking for simply by typing a word or key phrase.
Of course, this new app will feature Google’s latest Material Design so expect a more fluid, delightful, and more intuitive design. We don’t clearly know what that means but we’ll sure know once more Material Design-based apps are introduced.
As with any messaging software, you can choose to block other SMS senders you don’t want. This way, you’ll have more control of the messages you see on your phone. Texting is also more fun and at the same time convenient now because of message archiving, colored text threads, emoji support, and audio messages.
While another messaging app is more than welcome, we find it weird that Google has two now especially since Google Voice and Hangouts were recently updated to support MMS and SMS.
Download Google Messenger app from the Google Play Store
I don’t understand why. I guess more choices are better, but why? It seems this will create confusion across the ecosystem… do I use Google Voice, Google Hangouts or this new messenger app? For me, there already is confusion. I have Google Voice and Hangouts, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out how to send a text message using my phone’s phone number (as opposed to my GV #) to initiate a text. It always reverts to my GV number. It’s confusing.
I have the exact opposite problem. I can only send texts from my carrier number when using Messenger. It won’t recognize my Google Voice number.
I love it so far. I like it allot better than messaging with hangouts infact, the design is real nice and fluid. Speed is pretty good as well.
What about Hangouts? This is concerning…
I was just thinking the same thing…what’s wrong with hangouts??
Did the obvious escape Google? Google Messenger doesn’t work with my Google Voice number, only the carrier number!!
Do you guys even test these apps or just makes assumptions? Messenger is not fluid at all, its one of the most laggy app of lollipop. On KitKat you won’t feel cuz there’s no animation on kitkat.