After about five years without any updates, Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has announced a refresh to its Google Voice app. The new app will be available on all operating systems as well as on the web for those who use it on computer browsers. Among the changes included in the phased rollout is a new look.
“…your inbox now has separate tabs for text messages, calls and voicemails. Conversations stay in one continuous thread, so you can easily see all your messages from each of your contacts in one place,” wrote Google in a blog post after unveiling the updates.
Updated user interface
The updated user interface makes the app look sleeker and cleaner. It also enables Google Voice to look like Google’s other apps. Previously, conversations with a contact did not appear in one thread but this is now the case. Additionally, separate tabs now exist for voicemails, calls and text messages.
Other than the new aesthetic look, support for Photo MMS has been extended to all platforms and major carriers. This means that images will now appear alongside conversations. It is also quite easy to send images. This is a departure from the past when the MMS functionality was non-existent and users had to result to emailing the MMS attachments. With the update, group texting has now been made possible and does not require Hangouts.
Spanish voicemail transcription
While voicemail transcriptions have existed all along, one new language has been added and it will now be possible to transcribe voicemails in Spanish. Other features that have been introduced include support for 3D Touch in iOS and in-notification replies. The latter however only applies to Android but not iOS.
The update to Google Voice comes at a troubled time for the messaging strategy of Google. While the technology giant is making efforts at improving its messenger app by adding support for Rich Communication Services protocol, it has not only unveiled two new consumer messaging apps but Hangouts is still in the picture. This means there is a lot of overlap and duplication.
In Monday’s trading, Alphabet Inc edged up by 1.96% to close the day at $844.43 a share.