Google Messages has recently introduced a quality-of-life improvement that allows users to tap on photos of their contacts within conversation view. This feature enables users to expand contact profile photos by tapping on them, providing a larger version than what is typically seen in the Google Messages Details view. The expanded photo is similar in size to the avatar in Google Contacts, which is larger than the previous version that was removed last year. This enhancement streamlines the process of accessing contact information without the need to open the Google Contacts application separately.
In addition to expanding contact photos, users can also access shortcuts at the bottom of the screen. These shortcuts include options to message, call, or view contact information directly. The message shortcut opens the conversation, the call shortcut allows users to quickly initiate a call, and the information shortcut leads to the contact details page. This feature eliminates the need to navigate through multiple menus and screens to access these actions, making it a convenient addition to Google Messages.
Furthermore, this new ability to tap and expand contact photos is not limited to individual conversations, as it also applies to group conversations. In group conversations, users can press and hold outside the circle containing the contact photo to access additional actions such as Pin, Archive, Delete, Lock, and Mark read/unread. This feature enhances the user experience by providing quick access to common actions within group conversations.
The functionality to tap and expand contact photos has been in beta testing for Google Messages since early June and is now being rolled out more widely through server-side updates. While the feature is not yet available to all users, it is expected to become fully released in the near future. Overall, this enhancement contributes to a more user-friendly and efficient messaging experience for Google Messages users.
In conclusion, the new feature in Google Messages allows users to tap on contact photos to expand them within conversation view, providing easier access to contact information. The addition of shortcuts for messaging, calling, and viewing contact details further improves the user experience by simplifying common actions. This enhancement is currently undergoing a broader rollout and is expected to be available to all users soon.
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https://9to5google.com/2024/06/24/google-messages-contact-photos/