What is this new Messages feature?

[mpavilion]

I noticed a new thing in Messages, where when I type the first name of someone in my contacts (including if it’s the actual person I’m messaging), their name and contact card photo appear above the keyboard (as well as in a floating box, if you tap the name you just typed). If you click the contact suggestion, the name ends up in bold/blue text. It’s still bold when the message is sent (so I presume the recipient sees it that way)… What is the point of this? What exactly is it doing? Thx

 

[Whyy]

Reply to specific messages on your iPhone and iPad - Apple Support

With iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 and later, you can reply directly to a specific message and use mentions to call attention to certain messages and people.

support.apple.com

How to use mentions​

1. Open a Messages conversation.
2. Type a contact's name, then tap the name when it appears. Or type @ followed by their name.

Depending on your contact's settings, a mention can notify them even if they've muted the conversation. To change this notification setting, go to Settings > Messages, then turn Notify Me on or off.

 

[Whyy]

Here’s a MacRumors article about it.

How to Use Mentions in the iOS 14 Messages App

In iOS 14, Apple has added several new features to its native Messages app, including the ability to mention people in a group conversation. When...

www.macrumors.com

It’s apparently been out since iOS 14 for group messages. If you’re seeing it in one-on-one iMessage chats, then perhaps it’s been updated to allow usage in personal and group chats?

 

[mpavilion]

Interesting, thanks. Yes, these are one-on-one chats.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I presume it overrides if they’ve muted the thread… similar to Slack notifications. However I doubt it can override if they’ve turned off Notifications in Settings, or via a Focus mode. Would be interesting to test.