Google Chat

Google appears to be preparing HDR emoji support for Google Chat, based on a hidden setting discovered in a version of the app. The feature would make emoji brighter and higher-contrast on displays that support HDR. It is not confirmed or officially announced, so it is unclear when or if it will roll out.

Google's Gemini assistant on Android has introduced a new interface allowing users to switch between chat conversations and active tasks. The update reflects Google's push toward agentic AI, where the assistant handles multi-step tasks rather than only answering questions. Reports note this brings Gemini's mobile experience closer to that of a task manager alongside a conventional AI chatbot.

Google has announced the launch of a Gemini AI workplace agent that can write code and carry out tasks on a user's behalf, according to the company. The agent is aimed at workplace use, marking another step in the competition among major tech firms to deploy AI assistants that go beyond chat and perform hands-on work for businesses.

Downdetector is seeing a surge of reports as Google users in the US complain of problems including error 1155, missing chat history, Maps failures, Drive issues and slow loading. The monitoring site, which tracks service outages, is being used by people to check whether Google's services are down and how widespread the disruption is.

Google appears to be preparing a change to its Messages app that would remove the ability to switch off RCS chats on a per-conversation basis and fall back to SMS or MMS. If shipped, users would no longer be able to force a specific chat to use legacy messaging, which could be a problem for contacts on other platforms or areas with poor data coverage. Android users are debating whether the change simplifies messaging or reduces user control.

Google Messages may soon drop a small but useful setting that lets users prefer regular SMS over RCS chats. The possible removal means people who sometimes want plain text messages instead of the newer RCS standard could lose that choice. Android watchers are flagging the change, noting it affects those who occasionally prefer traditional texting.