Google

Google is late to the party when it comes to reactions. Facebook was one of the first companies to implement the feature in 2016 when it introduced them to give people more ways to respond to posts quickly. One year later, the company started testing reactions in Messenger, and they’ve been a part of the app ever since. For better and worse, they’ve also long been a long fixture within iMessage. 

In the same announcement, Google highlighted some other features it recently added to Messages. In addition to suggesting text and emoji based on the most recent message you received, Smart Reply will now recommend stickers as well. They’ll appear above the part of the interface where you enter text. The feature is currently only available in English. 

Another relatively new addition is a built-in image editor that allows you to doodle on any photos you take with your phone. To access it, you need to snap a photo using the full camera interface, not the compact one that shows up when you first go to send a picture. 

Again, most of Messages’ newest features have been available in other chat apps for a while. Nonetheless, they’re important additions if Google is ever going to convince people to use Messages over any of the dozens of other apps they can use to message their friends and family. If you don’t have access to reactions already, be patient. As with most software rollouts, it may be a while before you get the latest update. 

The Messages app on the Mac has lagged behind its iOS equivalent for a long time — it’s good for answering text messages without reaching for your iPhone, but many of the features and effects are missing. It might catch up this year, though. The 9to5Mac team has discovered hints of an overhauled Messages app for macOS in leaked iOS 14 code. The new software is reportedly a Catalyst-based app that will effectively mirror what you see in the iOS and iPadOS versions. You could chat with someone on their iPhone without worrying that you’ll miss part of the conversation, even if it’s just a fanciful sticker.

There aren’t definitive clues as to when this Messages revamp would arrive, although history suggests it’ll be unveiled alongside the next version of macOS at WWDC in June, with the finished software reaching users in the fall.

Apple revealed Siri Shortcuts at WWDC last year. It opens up the voice assistant, allowing you to create custom Siri commands for various apps, though you might need to download a Marzipan app (those ported from iPad to Mac) from the Mac App Store to use Shortcuts on your computer.

It’s a move that makes sense, as it should allow developers to make sure the Shortcuts for their apps still work after they port them to macOS. Apple might have other Siri updates in mind for macOS, including the option to set timers and alarms, which for some bizarre reason you can’t do through the voice assistant on Mac at the moment.

It seems another iOS 12 feature, Screen Time, may be coming to macOS too. That tool lets you see how much time you use your iPhone (and perhaps soon, your Mac), and how you divide your time among various apps or categories of apps. It also allows you to set time limits. According to the report, you’ll be able to configure Screen Time from your system preferences. Apple is also said to be working on improved Apple ID management for macOS, as well as on bringing iMessage effects including fireworks to your desktop.

Various other reports have hinted at what Apple perhaps plans to reveal at WWDC, including an app that merges Find My Friends and Find My iPhone. It’s also likely to offer the first look at iOS 13, which may include a system-wide dark mode option and an undo gesture. Other reports suggest Apple will release separate Music and Podcasts apps for macOS.