Apple users have long enjoyed the rich functionality of iMessage Thankfully, Google has been actively updating its Google Messages app, bringing it closer to iMessage in functionality and feel In fact, Google Messages inherits one of iMessage's best features

Just as you can add an emoji effect animation by long-pressing a message in iMessage and then selecting a reaction, you can now do the same in Google Messages Some astute users discovered an unexpected feature: an animation corresponding to the emoji selection was overlaid on the message in the app

For example, if you select the laughing emoji, you will see a pair of air dancers (found at car dealerships that can be inflated) animate over the message This is a small detail that makes the Google Messages experience a bit more dynamic, which iMessage users will appreciate

There are a total of 10 emoji reactions to choose from, consisting of thumbs up, thumbs down, red heart, party popper, angry face, crying face, angry face, crying tears of joy, open mouth face, and the evergreen classic poop emoji The latter emoji is unexpected, and I encourage you to try it out

If you do not see these animated effects, visit the Google Play Store and check for the latest version of the app; when tested on a Google Pixel 8 Pro, these animations were also displayed to other Google Messages users However, when sending to iPhone users, these animations are not displayed However, when sending to iPhone users, the animation effect will not be displayed and the emoji response will be notified in a normal text message

Google had promised last fall that the emoji reaction effects would be available for Android devices, and it appears that they are finally available to all users of the latest version of the app That promised rollout includes the ability to create a "photo moji" from a photo taken, as well as a "voice mood" for recording voice messages

Of course, a lot of work still needs to be done to make these features work seamlessly across platforms, but RCS is a step toward bridging the gap Earlier this week, Google offered beta testers of RCS messages the ability to select custom color options in threaded messages