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Google Messages Redesigns Pinned Chats and Introduces New Board Feature
· Confirmed
In Short: Google Messages is rolling out a redesigned pinned chats feature and a new Board section, but it will limit the number of pinned chats from 20 to six.
Android Police reports that Google Messages is introducing a new feature called 'Board' within its Spaces section, allowing users or admins to pin messages and resources relevant to a conversation.
The Board section will be split into two parts: the top half for 'pinned messages' and the bottom half for 'pinned resources,' which include links, media, or files.
SammyGuru reveals that Google is reducing the maximum number of pinned chats from 20 to six, which could be a significant downgrade for users who rely on pinned chats for organization.
Google says these features are coming 'soon,' which could mean anywhere from days to weeks for full visibility.
Android Authority reported that Google Messages is also adding custom chat themes and selective text copying, but recent bugs have somewhat diminished the excitement.
TechRepublic notes that Apple's iOS 27.2 update expands Siri's capabilities and adds upgrades to Messages, Photos, FaceTime, Shortcuts, and iPhone Duo.
Anthropic has introduced Claude Duet, a proactive AI agent that messages users and works inside connected apps, keeping tasks running even after the app is closed.
Poke, an AI agent, has become the first third-party AI approved for Apple's Messages for Business, with over 100 million messages relayed.
Meta has introduced a new suite of optional parental controls for teenagers on WhatsApp, designed to provide age-appropriate experiences while maintaining end-to-end encryption.
Google is also rolling out new icons for Google Messages, Phone by Google, and Google Contacts, adding a gradient with easily readable edges and new curvature and coloring to match the company's gradient 'G'.
What this adds
The redesign of the pinned chats feature and the introduction of the Board section are aimed at improving user experience and organization within Google Messages.
The reduction in the number of pinned chats from 20 to six may cause inconvenience for users who frequently use this feature.
The new icons for Google Messages, Phone by Google, and Google Contacts are designed to be more visually appealing and consistent with Google's branding.
What's confirmed
- Android Police reports that Google Messages is introducing a new feature called 'Board' within its Spaces section, allowing users or admins to pin messages and resources relevant to a conversation.
- The Board section will be split into two parts: the top half for 'pinned messages' and the bottom half for 'pinned resources,' which include links, media, or files.
- SammyGuru reveals that Google is reducing the maximum number of pinned chats from 20 to six, which could be a significant downgrade for users who rely on pinned chats for organization.
- Google says these features are coming 'soon,' which could mean anywhere from days to weeks for full visibility.
- Android Authority reported that Google Messages is also adding custom chat themes and selective text copying, but recent bugs have somewhat diminished the excitement.
- TechRepublic notes that Apple's iOS 27.2 update expands Siri's capabilities and adds upgrades to Messages, Photos, FaceTime, Shortcuts, and iPhone Duo.
- Anthropic has introduced Claude Duet, a proactive AI agent that messages users and works inside connected apps, keeping tasks running even after the app is closed.
- Poke, an AI agent, has become the first third-party AI approved for Apple's Messages for Business, with over 100 million messages relayed.
- Meta has introduced a new suite of optional parental controls for teenagers on WhatsApp, designed to provide age-appropriate experiences while maintaining end-to-end encryption.
- Google is also rolling out new icons for Google Messages, Phone by Google, and Google Contacts, adding a gradient with easily readable edges and new curvature and coloring to match the company's gradient 'G'.
What's still developing
- Digging through the Gmail app v2024.11.24.702067492, Android Authority uncovered a new feature within spaces known simply as " Board." As the name suggests, this is a place where users (or admins) can pin items relevant to people in that particular conversation/space.
- Android Apps Deals Google HTC LG Motorola Samsung Update Verizon If you’re someone who is pinning a lot of conversations inside of Google Messages, prepare for a big change coming your way soon.
- It’s unknown if themes you have applied to the individual chats will dictate what new messages look like for the pinned conversations, but that would be a nice touch.
- These pinned messages show contact photos, plus a preview of incoming messages from them.
- Google Messages could soon make a controversial change to one of its most useful features.
- Original article, August 31, 2026 (07:00 AM ET): Google Messages is getting some welcome attention with custom chat themes and selective text copying finally becoming available, but the app’s recent run of bugs is taking some shine off those additions.
- Other reports mention verification codes, personal conversations, and messages sent to colleagues.
- Also: Anthropic wants to stop AI models from turning evil – here’s how The redditor wrote that the message raised some “red flags” since it was “SO different” from the language their mom usually used in texts.
- In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of connecting WhatsApp with Gemini so you can start sending messages completely hands-free, even while driving.
- Droid Life published the designs on October 20, 2022, and Android Police reported on October 21, 2022 that the new Messages and Contacts icons were appearing in beta builds, without shadows and on a white background rather than blue.
- Google Chat is rolling out persistent drafts that auto-save unsent messages and sync them across devices, starting on the web today and on mobile later this month.
- Drafts are kept per conversation, covering direct messages, group DMs, and Spaces, and they sync across devices, letting you start on one device and finish on another.