To add some more Material Design flavoring to your device, go ahead and download Google Messenger. It is a standalone app for sending/receiving SMS and MMS messages. It will replace your existing messaging app. What it will not replace is Hangouts as that remains the go-to for devices connected to a Google account. Google Messenger looks great and functions just as well. It clearly follows Lollipop guidelines.
Here are the key features of Messenger:
- Faster sharing: Select or take pictures and videos directly from the app and share easily. You can even send audio messages to your contacts.
- Easy search: Search through contacts and conversations threads to find exactly what you are looking for.
- Purposeful design: New, fluid, material design that is intuitive and delightful.
- More features: audio messages, emoji support, colored text heads, message archiving and more.
Hit the break for the gallery and download links.
What about hangouts?
I couldn’t get it. We have Hangouts for SMS, MMS, IM, capable of sending photos and locations, emojis (may be limited for some), chat heads, archiing. Now we have Messenger and its features are the same. What it does _in addition to_ Hangouts? I really wonder why Google put an effort to develop such a seemingly redundant application? I’m really confused.
— crosspost: Lifehacker —
couldn’t agree more, this is extremely confusing.
Does it hook into Google Voice?