Google might soon be launching web interface for Android Messages just like Google Allo

Google recently pushed a new update to Android Messages for Android Phones. This update bumped its version number to 2.9. This update comes with no major UI changes or major features for the app but gives us a lot of details about what Google is planning. The people at AndroidPolice tore down the APK to see what’s underneath the code. They observed code for something called Messages for web, RCS Promos, Google enhanced chat and more.

Messages for Web

This feature is internally codenamed as “Ditto” but is reported to be named Messages for Web once released. This is something that has already happened with WhatsApp and Google Allo. Yes, it is a real web interface for Android Messages as well. You will be asked to visit a URL on your PC or Laptop. Once, you land on the webpage, scan the QR code with your Android Phone and now you can send SMS/MMS/RCS from your Computer using your carrier on your Android Phone.

The trace of this feature was found in the code as given below:

Messages for web

On your computer, go to %s
Scan QR code
Use your phone to scan the QR code on your computer screen
Scan the QR code shown on <b>%s</b>
Go to <b>%s</b> on your computer
You’re all set!

Incorrect code
To sign in, scan the QR code on %s
OK
Something went wrong. Try again in a few minutes.
OK

com.google.android.apps.messaging.ui.ditto.DittoActivity” android:exported=”false” android:parentActivityName=”com.google.android.apps.messaging.ui.conversationlist.ConversationListActivity” android:theme=”@style/BugleTheme” />
com.google.android.apps.messaging.shared.net.DittoForegroundService” android:exported=”false” />

There is another piece of code that says that you will be able to sign-in with multiple machines as well. This is really a good thing for those who own multiple machines. Here is the proof:

Signed in computers
Last active %s

Sign out all computers
Sign out of all computers?

Delete paired desktop: %s
Sign out from %s?
Cancel
Sign out

Browser Support

Well, as per the report, all the major browsers in the market are supported. Yes, this also contains the ancient Internet Explorer but the main thing that is not surprising me are that yet it would surprise many is the fact that Microsoft Edge is supported! It is great to see that Microsoft’s rivals like Apple and Google acknowledge the abilities of Microsoft Edge and are investing in making their services compatible with the same. Although, many times we saw prompts on YouTube asking users to move to Chrome for better performance in spite of that, I am happy about this!

Code:

Chrome
Edge
Firefox
Internet Explorer
Opera
Other
Safari
Unknown

Also, a minor feature would be a web notification prompt that you notify the users if they are connected and successfully authenticated the user the web interface. Here is that code for that:

Web
Connected to desktop

Nevertheless, we are happy to see Microsoft Edge be supported more than the arrival of this feature. I hope Microsoft and Google sort out their rivalries and work together for a better future.