Google began rolling out a bunch of features for Messages earlier this year, including Smart Reply capabilities, a native image editor, and support for emoji reactions to messages. The emoji reactions feature brought to RCS (Rich Communication Services) mimicked the ability present in other IP-based messaging services and even iMessage. Now, the firm is beginning to roll out this feature for the Messages web client.
Just like in the app, users can hover over a message on the web and click on the emoji icon to select between the seven available reactions that include the thumbs up or down emojis, angry face, face with tears of joy, crying face, and face with an open mouth. Users can react not just to others’ messages, but their own too, both in individual and group chats. The feature also lets users override selected reactions with new ones by simply selecting a new reaction.
The feature is a nifty addition for those who use the web client for messaging. Google has been pushing for the adoption of RCS for a while now, with the company recently even announcing that the next-generation messaging framework is now available on Android around the world. With the addition of such features, the search giant aims to further bridge the delta between third-party offerings and the native messaging capabilities of the OS.
As for the reactions feature, it should be made available automatically on the web without any actions from the user since it’s enabled from the server side.
Source: Android Police