All articles tagged with #messaging
Google Messages appears to be testing a smarter sharing flow that adds a 'Send to a group' option alongside 'Send separately' when sharing to multiple recipients. The feature can reuse an existing group chat if the selected contacts already form one, and it warns you to remove MMS numbers if you mix RCS and MMS. It seems to be a limited, server-side rollout, so it may not be visible to all users yet.
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that lets users reserve usernames (3–35 characters) to message others without revealing phone numbers. Access is staged, with a notification when you can reserve, and you can set a username in Settings > Account > Username. If you have an Instagram or Facebook username, you can claim the same on WhatsApp. There is no username directory or discovery, and messages to a username require knowing the exact handle, with an optional username key for extra spam protection. The rollout will occur gradually over the coming months, and a username-enabled account won't reveal a phone number to first-time contacts.
WhatsApp announced it will begin reserving unique usernames, allowing users to be contacted by a handle rather than revealing their phone numbers. The feature is optional and includes a claims system for creators, small businesses, and organizations to reuse existing usernames from Instagram or Facebook. There will be no public directory or recommendation system, and users can opt to add an optional username key for extra protection on first contact. Reservations are rolling out now, with actual usernames becoming available gradually over the coming months and in-app notifications when a username is available in a user’s country.
WhatsApp is adding optional usernames to let people connect without sharing phone numbers; reservations open this week with an in-app notification to set a username or port over your Instagram/Facebook name, plus a four-digit key for extra security. High-profile names are protected from being claimed, and existing Facebook/Instagram handles get priority during the RSVP window before a wider launch.
Trump used a Faith & Freedom Coalition speech to label Democrats as influenced by communists, arguing the left threatens the American way of life and turning the midterms into a choice rather than a referendum on him. Ally Ralph Reed warned of a meaningful GOP enthusiasm gap but suggested the race could shift if Republicans clearly contrast “common sense” policy with the left’s agenda. The piece notes that for Republicans, a Trump-centric referendum is risky, reinforcing the need for a broader, issue-focused contrast to improve prospects.
Apple's iOS 27 beta 2 adds inline replies for iPhone–Android RCS conversations by long-pressing a message, mirroring the iMessage workflow, and now displays tapback emoji on images and videos in RCS chats. RCS support began with iOS 18, with encryption added in iOS 26.5; proper threading requires both sender and recipient to be on RCS-enabled devices/carriers. The feature is currently in developer beta, with a public beta planned for July and a full release expected in September.
Google Messages is adding a new 'Tap to Draft' option that lets you edit Smart Reply suggestions before sending. After being tested as 'Tap to edit' and later renamed, the feature is now available in the latest stable Android build (version 20260522_00_RC00). Enable it in Settings > Messages > Suggestions & Actions > Suggestions, then choose between 'Tap to Send' (auto-send) or 'Tap to Draft' (edit before sending).
Facing internal pressure after a disappointing 2024 cycle, the DNC released its postelection autopsy, which blames messaging and organizational gaps for the losses and urges a renewed focus on rural Middle America and the South, countering Trump with sharper messaging and stronger voter outreach. The report criticizes reliance on identity politics, notes insufficient focus on Trump’s negatives, and calls for stronger state-party training and listening to a broad electorate. Some Democrats questioned the release and leadership approach, and Paul Rivera—the report’s primary author—left the DNC during discussions about the findings.
iOS 26.5 adds end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta for iPhone–Android chats via supported carriers, marking a gradual rollout as compatibility and carrier support vary; while RCS has generally improved cross‑platform messaging, VPNs and carrier limitations can still affect the experience.
Top Trump advisers are planning a forward-looking midterm push that frames the election as a choice between GOP achievements and Democratic gridlock, aiming to energize voters by highlighting policy wins and portraying Democrats as obstructionists. The plan, discussed at a private Waldorf Astoria meeting with NDAs, also involves leadership shifts—James Blair moving to head an outside operation—and ongoing MAGA Inc. fundraising, all while contending with headwinds like inflation, a costly Middle East war, and shifting district lines that could affect House seats.
Republican lawmakers privately worry that a conflict with Iran could hurt their midterm prospects, arguing the party lacks a clear message and that voters’ pocketbook concerns—especially gas prices—will dominate the outcome; privately they’ve reacted with alarm to Trump’s warning to Iran in group chats.
X unveiled XChat, a standalone, ad-free messaging app for iPhone and iPad that promises end-to-end encryption, audio/video calling, file sharing, and group chats. The launch is planned for April 17 and will not include Android support, while privacy-policy questions from users linger over the service.
WhatsApp is rolling out new features to simplify storage management, enable easier switching between multiple WhatsApp accounts, and enhance backups and chat transfers across devices, alongside improvements to media handling and privacy options.
Instagram will stop offering end-to-end encryption for direct messages on May 8, 2026, allowing Meta to view message contents when encryption is not enabled. Meta cites low uptake of encrypted DMs and ongoing safety concerns from law enforcement and child-safety groups; users seeking encrypted chats can switch to WhatsApp. Australia has already seen the feature deactivated, and analysts say the move reflects a broader split between social media and messaging, balancing safety and business considerations.
Meta will end end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages on May 8, 2026, affecting only a small subset of opt-in users in select regions. Affected users will be able to export their chats/media before encryption is removed, and those on older app versions may need to update to retrieve conversations. The move follows low adoption of E2E on Instagram and comes amid ongoing privacy vs. safety debates among regulators and advocates; WhatsApp remains Meta’s primary E2E platform, and Meta’s encryption work continues on Messenger. Meta says the removal will happen soon and has faced criticism from privacy advocates.