Apple Updates iMessage with Improved Group Messaging and Video and Audio Messages

[MacRumors]

While introducing iOS 8 at its Worldwide Developers Conference today, Apple announced a host of improvements for its popular iMessage messaging platform, including in-line audio and video messages and new group features like Do Not Disturb and more.

The in-line video and audio messages are accessed from a small radial menu on the right of the text-entry field, allowing users to quickly choose whether they want to send a video or audio message. Like Snapchat, the audio and video messages "self-destruct" after a certain amount of time to save space. However, users can also choose to keep them if they really want to.

Users can play the media from within the message thread by pressing the "play" button or simply raising the phone to their ear, which also works straight from the lock screen.

In addition, group messages have received numerous improvements, including Do Not Disturb, the ability to name conversations and add or remove people from the group chat. Locations can also be shared, and can be chosen to be shared for a certain amount of time a day.

Article Link: Apple Updates iMessage with Improved Group Messaging and Video and Audio Messages

 

[sprezz]

Finally! Sending small movies via email was such a pain! Good job apple!

 

[Atrin1]

very cool to listen to an audio message while in lock screen with only putting phone up to your ear.

 

[CylonGlitch]

They didn't mention if iMessages will show up in iCloud web service. That is where I REALLY want it; it will offer communication when on a PC. Hope it will still come, I could really use it.

 

[garylapointe]

Video VoiceMail

That's cool, but I was really hoping for Video VoiceMail.

I'd call via FaceTime and they let me just lave a video voicemail (as if it were a regular voicemail) when no one answers.

(Yes, I've been able to do something similar with iMessaging a video, but this would be more seamless and sit in their "voice mail" box.)

Gary

 

[skunkworker]

I'm glad you can finally silence and withdraw from those annoying group iMessages.

 

[-LikesMac-]

Finally!

These features are what we have been waiting for!

 

[BrentD]

Amazed there is no mention in the article about being able to LEAVE a group message now. I absolutely hate those things! You can turn them off on your end, which disables you from being able to send them, but that does nothing to prevent people from adding you to one. This was probably one of my biggest peeves with messaging in iOS.

 

[Rajani Isa]

But no mention of grouping contacts without resorting to iCloud (which you can't access on the iPhone) or sending via contact groups?

 

[jayducharme]

I wonder why group texting is easy to implement for Messages, but Apple still makes it very difficult to send group e-mails in iOS Mail?

 

[trustme]

So messages is now pretty much whatsapp?

 

[CrazyForApple]

Very nice additions

 

[twintin]

So messages is now pretty much whatsapp?

No, whatsapp is cross platform while iMessage is not.

 

[bchery21]

If Apple can implement a way to save groups that you've created to later send that group a text would be great...not necessarily for me but I know my fiancee would welcome this.

 

[drewyboy]

I don't know anyone with Whatsapp. I do know it's popular (supposedly 500 million users), but at the end of the day many people will just use what's already available. I knew about whatsapp, but I didn't want to spam everyone I know telling them to get it. It didn't offer anything crucial to me or others. With many of the features being rolled into iMessages, pretty much everyone I normally talk/text with I now know will have these "cool" features. They're nice, but not necessary. Will I use them now that I have them, sure.

 

[divergirl]

I'm glad to see iMessage will finally be implementing some of the convenient features already present in other messaging apps like WhatsApp and LINE. One feature I'd love to see is further integration of iMessage and FaceTime. In LINE, when you call a user within the app the call shows up right inline within the chatroom. As a result, if they do not answer your call you can either send them an audio message or type out a text message and it's a lot like voicemail. You can also click on the missed call icon right from within the chat room to call them back. In my attached screenshot you can see that right from within the chatroom I was able to call my friend, and then leave an audio message, and then he was able to text me back, all on the same screen. The integration is really convenient and is one I hope comes to iMessage and FaceTime one day.

 

[josielinnea]

I'm glad to see iMessage will finally be implementing some of the convenient features already present in other messaging apps like WhatsApp and LINE. One feature I'd love to see is further integration of iMessage and FaceTime. In LINE, when you call a user within the app the call shows up right inline within the chatroom. As a result, if they do not answer your call you can either send them an audio message or type out a text message and it's a lot like voicemail. You can also click on the missed call icon right from within the chat room to call them back. In my attached screenshot you can see that right from within the chatroom I was able to call my friend, and then leave an audio message, and then he was able to text me back, all on the same screen. The integration is really convenient and is one I hope comes to iMessage and FaceTime one day.

Sorry but that is the ugliest app I've seen in.... a LONG time!

 

[divergirl]

Sorry but that is the ugliest app I've seen in.... a LONG time!

What about it? Do you just mean the green frog theme I'm using? Because the themes are changeable depending on your own tastes. Here's another theme for example. They also have a plainer theme if you're into a simpler look.

Anyway, aesthetics of the app aside, it's really the idea of integrating iMessage and FaceTime that would be exciting to me. Not saying that they would necessarily have to become one app like LINE is, but to have your FaceTime calls show right up within your iMessage conversations, and to be able to make FaceTime calls directly from iMessage without being redirected to the FaceTime app would be really convenient I think.