logo
Google Messages undergoes massive layout fix: Here's what has changed

Google Messages undergoes massive layout fix: Here's what has changed

Hindustan Times02-05-2025

Google Messages' landscape mode has been subject to criticism for its alleged challenging display. Google has reportedly acknowledged this issue and is now revamping its dull landscape layout to make it more striking. According to androidpolice.com, the landscape mode has changed.
Google Messages' current landscape mode uses up more space on one side than the other, which does not give the user a balanced feel when they flip their phone sideways.
ALSO READ | Posting memes can get you jailed in Texas? All about the new HB 366 bill
Developers at Google are, according to the report, now tweaking some features to solve these problems and give things a better, user-friendly experience. According to an Android Authority report, there were a few changes made to the user interface of Google Messages' new beta version. The first change is a rather small but interesting one, where there is a change in the space-sharing between the message list and the chat screen.
There is also a striking difference on how PDF files show up in RCS chats. In the current version of the application, users are not able to get a preview of the PDF, but the upcoming versions could include a preview of the first page right on the chat screen. However, it looks like protected PDFs may not get this feature, looking at privacy concerns. This feature is already available on popular messaging applications like WhatsApp. It shows a quick preview of PDFs so that users can understand the gist without opening the file.
There are some changes in the action buttons on Google Messages as well, including the call, video, contact details, and search. The features now come along with text labels, which is albeit a small change but helps new users understand the respective features with just one glimpse.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

16 billion passwords compromised, says report; have you changed yours?
16 billion passwords compromised, says report; have you changed yours?

First Post

time3 hours ago

  • First Post

16 billion passwords compromised, says report; have you changed yours?

A massive breach has exposed over 16 billion usernames and passwords from platforms like Google, Apple, Facebook, and more. The leak raises serious cybersecurity concerns, prompting urgent calls for stronger passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular dark web exposure checks. read more A staggering 16 billion usernames and passwords have been exposed in what experts are calling the largest-ever database of stolen credentials. The trove of compromised data includes login details from major platforms such as Apple, Google, Facebook, Telegram, GitHub and even government services, raising alarms over the global state of digital security. Cybersecurity researchers say the breach stems from a collection of 30 massive datasets, each holding tens of millions to over 3.5 billion records. The information, mostly acquired through infostealing malware, appears to be freshly leaked, with nearly all of the datasets previously unreported except for one earlier disclosure of 184 million passwords by researcher Jeremiah Fowler, according to a new investigation by Cybernews. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Most of these credentials are structured as URLs followed by usernames and passwords, and they cover virtually every type of online service imaginable,' said Vilius Petkauskas, a Cybernews analyst who has been investigating the leak since the beginning of the year. The scale of this breach surpasses previous incidents, including last year's so-called 'Mother of All Breaches' which exposed 26 billion records. While it's unclear whether some of the leaked data might have been repackaged from earlier incidents, researchers insist that this leak is largely new. Lawrence Pingree, vice president at cybersecurity firm Dispersive, explained that such datasets are often circulated and resold on the dark web—sometimes bundled with other leaks, sometimes offered piecemeal. 'Whether it's a repackaged leak or not, 16 billion records is a huge number,' Pingree said. 'This kind of data is valuable precisely because it is so often misused.' The breach underscores how widespread the threat of credential theft has become, with attackers targeting social media platforms, corporate portals, developer tools, and VPN services alike. In response, experts urge users to adopt better security hygiene. Basic protections include running antivirus scans to detect infostealers, checking dark web exposure via tools like Google One's 'Dark Web Report,' and crucially, using strong and unique passwords for every service.

Alphabet's Google tries to appease EU with changes to search result rankings: Report
Alphabet's Google tries to appease EU with changes to search result rankings: Report

Mint

time3 hours ago

  • Mint

Alphabet's Google tries to appease EU with changes to search result rankings: Report

Alphabet's Google has reportedly put forward additional concessions to address concerns raised by European Union regulators, aiming to avoid a significant antitrust fine under the bloc's new digital competition rules. According to documents reviewed byReuters, the U.S. tech giant is attempting to appease the European Commission by adjusting how rival services are displayed in its search results. The move comes in response to formal charges filed three months ago, accusing Google of favouring its own platforms, such as Google Shopping, Hotels, and Flights at the expense of competitors, in violation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). You may be interested in The DMA, which came into force earlier this year, outlines strict obligations for so-called 'gatekeeper' platforms to curb anti-competitive behaviour and offer consumers broader choices. Under Google's revised proposal, a selected vertical search service (VSS), chosen based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria would be prominently featured in its own dedicated box at the top of the results page. This box would mirror the design and features of Google's own modules and contain three direct links to offerings in categories like hotels, restaurants, transport, and airlines. Other VSS providers would still be listed further down in the search results, but would not benefit from a similarly prominent display unless users click to access them. Despite the proposal, the company has maintained that it disagrees with the Commission's preliminary conclusions. 'We do not agree with the (Commission's) preliminary findings' position but, on a without prejudice basis, we want to find a workable solution to resolve the present proceedings,' the documents noted. The European Commission has scheduled a meeting on 8 July to gather feedback from competing firms. Several of Google's rivals, who declined to be named ahead of the discussion, expressed scepticism over the effectiveness of the proposed changes. They argue that the measures still fall short of delivering a genuinely level playing field. The outcome of these negotiations could set a crucial precedent for how Big Tech operates under the EU's ambitious digital regulatory framework. (With inputs from Reuters)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store