Google Messages adds iMessage-style event suggestions based on your texts

Google Messages, the company’s default SMS application on its Pixel phones as well as other manufacturers like HMD Global and Motorola, just got another trick up its sleeve. The app, which has picked up quite a few smart features over the past couple of years can now smartly offer to set a reminder based on the content of your conversation.

It’s not a groundbreaking feature - the functionality has actually existed on iOS for years now, with the option to create an event from any text that resembles a date or time, not only in iMessage but also other apps like WhatsApp and Signal. But having the ability come to the default messaging app on Android means most users who do not change their default messaging app will also see this the moment they next update their app, assuming Google enables the feature for you via a server side switch, according to Android Police.

Google Messages has already had smart features like suggested replies for a while now, along with Assistant lookups and other quick actions. You can even get a recommendation for a sticker based on your conversation, so the addition of the ability to create a reminder isn’t very impressive - but useful nonetheless. You can head over to Settings in the Messages app,then choose Suggested Actions. When you type a message suggesting a time, like “let’s meet at 10 PM” you’ll see a little suggestion pop up asking you to create an event.

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Features like this one will come in handy as Google slowly but surely continues the rollout of its RCS messaging protocol, allowing a true iMessage-like competitor that works across Android devices and only needs an internet connection and a phone number. Google has also previously stated that any smart suggestions that are generated based on your chats and other data are done completely on your device, suggesting the company has made some major improvements to on-device machine learning for regular consumer facing features.