NEWS  Apps  December 12, 2023  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

In its ongoing effort to enhance the user experience, Google is reportedly developing a message editing feature for its Messages app. This move is seen as a strategic step to rival popular instant messaging platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. While Google has been striving to make its Rich Communication Services (RCS) more appealing, the latest developments suggest a deeper focus on expanding the functionality of its messaging application.

According to insights from TheSpAndroid, the beta version of the Google Messages app released in November contained indications of a forthcoming message editing feature. The APK teardown revealed the addition of four new flags to the Google Messages codebase, each contributing to the implementation of this feature.

The first flag, "bugle.enable_edit_ui," hints at the introduction of a user interface for editing messages. The second flag, "bugle.load_edit_history," suggests that users will be able to view the edit history of messages. The third and fourth flags, "bugle.process_outgoing_edits" and "bugle.process_incoming_edits," outline the mechanisms for sending and receiving message edits within the app. Additionally, there were references to the creation of a new database that would store metadata, including edit history and timestamps.

It's worth noting that message editing is not a native feature of RCS, as per the GSMA association standards. However, Google has a track record of introducing features beyond standard specifications, such as the implementation of end-to-end encryption in Google Messages a few years ago.

While the exact timeline for the release of this feature remains unclear, the presence of these flags in the beta version indicates ongoing development. It's essential to recognize that the flags currently do not have any functional aspects in the beta build, and there is a possibility that Google may decide to abandon the feature if deemed impractical. Nonetheless, the addition of a message editing feature would address a notable gap, especially as Google seeks to catch up with competitors like WhatsApp, which already offers users the ability to edit messages within a specified time frame.

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