Google’s iMessage competitor may soon be getting an upgrade.
The company is testing Snapchat-like augmented reality effects in its Android Messages texting app, according to a new report.
XDA Developers has discovered that the tech giant is testing augmented reality effects with pretty impressive elements within its messaging app the publication even managed to activate the feature to test it out. The experimental Effects button lives inside Android Messages’ camera, right beside the Photo and Video buttons.
XDA says it was only able to access the effects through the messaging app’s camera and that they weren’t available through the standalone camera app. While the animated messages could reportedly be sent as SMS or MMS, the feature will go well with Google’s RCS rollout, which will give you the ability to send and receive high-quality media and get read receipts in the Messages app, among other things. As with any experimental feature, it may take some time before it becomes available to the public. When it does, we hope you’re ready for a barrage of Snapchat-like animations flooding your Messages.
