Google’s new Messenger app follows the company’s Material Design philosophy – flat icons, happy color palettes, non-textured look. And yes, Google Hangouts can still be used, as of this writing, as a separate messenger app.
The new Google Messenger app is the default messenger app for Android 5.0 Lollipop. It looks too “simple” for me, having been used to my LG G3‘s default messaging app. Also, this looks a bit like another flatly-designed messaging app, Textra.
Here are the key features:
- 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, colored text threads, message archiving and more.
- Messenger is supported on devices running Android™ 4.1, Jelly Bean, and above.
Download the new Google Messaging app here.
