What you should know
- Google is reportedly developing a new feature for its messaging app, Google Messages, that allows users to send short 4-second videos in the form of GIFs.
- The feature, called Selfie GIFs, can be activated within the Google Messages app by long-pressing the camera icon. After a 3-second timer, the recording will start automatically and the recorded video can be viewed in a GIF format.
- Google has not made an official announcement about the Selfie GIFs feature yet. It is similar to the functionality currently found in Chromebooks’ camera app.
- The tech giant has been actively developing and introducing new features to enhance Google Messages. In December, it introduced screen effects, custom backgrounds, and more. The company also unveiled a fresh contacts page and other enhancements for compatible Pixel devices.
Full Story
Google seems to be cooking up something new for its messaging app, Google Messages. They’ve got a hidden feature in the works that lets users send short 4-second videos as GIFs. This could add a whole new layer of fun to your chats.
TheSpAndroid stumbled upon this interesting tidbit. It’s a feature they’ve dubbed “Selfie GIFs.” You can activate it within the Google Messages app by long-pressing the camera icon. But hold your horses, it’s still in development. Google hasn’t made it official yet.
Once you’ve got it enabled and you long-press that camera icon, a new UI pops up. It’s got a rounded camera frame smack dab in the middle. Down at the bottom, there’s a camera switch button. This lets users flip between the front and rear cameras with ease. After a 3-second countdown, the recording kicks in automatically.
When the recording’s done, users can view the video in GIF format through a preview UI. Then, you’ve got two choices: “Reset” or “Send.” To start over, just hit the reset button. To share the video as a rounded GIF, just hit “Send.” It’s a pretty similar setup to what you’d find in the camera app on a Chromebook.
Google’s been hard at work developing and rolling out new features for Google Messages. In December, they dropped a bunch of cool new features to spice up the texting experience. We’re talking screen effects, custom backgrounds, and more.
They also revealed a new contacts page. It’s got the Material You carousel plus a whole slew of new features and enhancements for compatible Pixel devices. This was part of the latest Pixel Feature Drop. It included things like Video Boost, which enhances video playback, and an improved Photo Unblur feature, among others.
Now, it seems like Google’s turning its attention to the messaging experience. They’re introducing Selfie GIFs. It’s not enabled by default yet, but it’s a fun little addition that’s sure to add some pizzazz to your chats.
