Google testing SMS reminders and verified messages from businesses

Verified SMS appears to assist identify businesses that message y'all

Android Messages app icon

Love information technology or detest it, a mutual technique Google uses when testing new features is 'A/B testing.' In other words, Google will push button out new features to some users to attempt, while others don't get them at all.

Sometimes, Google includes features in an app merely disables them for users while developers exam them. These features tin can be enabled with the right know-how. XDA Recognized Developer 'Quinny899' did simply that with Google's Messages app, and uncovered two new features: Verified SMS and SMS Reminders.

This first appears to exist a tool for businesses. Details are thin in the app, but the description of the feature suggests it will scan the numbers of companies that message you and verify them against Google'due south database.

The feature notes that it doesn't share your messages with Google, suggesting merely the telephone number gets shared.

Verified SMS

Verified SMS could be an excellent way for Google to assistance cut downwards on spam and phishing by providing verification for numbers and pointing out when a message could be illegitimate.

The other feature, SMS Reminders, adds a 'Remind me in an hour' button to message notifications. The push joins the 'Mark every bit read' and 'Answer' buttons.

On the surface, this seems like a smart improver — who hasn't gotten a message while doing something important and forgotten to respond when they finished their task?

SMS Reminders

However, as XDA Developers points out, Android 8.0 Oreo introduced congenital-in notification snoozing, so on newer devices, this feature is practically useless.

That said, users who aren't aware of notification snoozing, or those with older devices and older version of Android, may appreciate the add-on.

At this point, it isn't articulate if or when these features will roll out to users. At the moment, Google is testing Verified SMS and SMS Reminders, so it could be some time before the new features are ready for prime time.

Source: XDA Developers Via: Android Constabulary