All articles tagged with #messaging
Google Messages is testing an iMessage-inspired pinned-chats UI in a beta, introducing a top circular row of pinned chat icons that become square previews when new messages arrive, reducing the pin limit from 20 to six and allowing manual reordering to keep important conversations easily accessible.
iOS 27 will enable inline, threaded replies to Android messages in Messages using the RCS Universal Profile 3.0 standard, with emoji reactions also clarified. The feature rolls out on supported iPhones in September and depends on carrier support at both ends. To check readiness, go to Settings → Apps → Messages → RCS Messaging; if the option isn’t visible, your carrier hasn’t enabled it yet.
Republicans say the White House has largely halted substantive messaging guidance on the Iran war, leaving candidates to contend with voter anxiety over high gas prices and the cost of living while seeking a clearer endgame and steps to stabilize oil flows.
Trump’s Iran approach has escalated into wider strikes, rising casualties and higher gas prices, narrowing diplomatic exits and turning Iran into a defining midterm issue. Republicans worry the conflict’s costs and mixed messaging could destabilize campaigns that must persuade voters while avoiding a long, protracted war. Even Trump’s base shows growing doubt (about 37% still supporting continued involvement if costs rise), prompting GOP operatives to push for a sharper, contrasting message as September could become a political turning point. The week also features key House and Senate moves on funding and reconciliations that could shape how the war’s political fallout plays out in November.
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.