Google is rolling out the latest update to its Messages Wear OS app, allowing users to record and listen to voice messages. This is one of those features that should have been implemented a long time ago with other messaging services, as most modern smartwatches running Wear OS come with built-in speakers and microphones. It’s funny that you can answer calls, but you can’t send voice messages.
Well, things are changing as Google has introduced an interesting new update to its app on the Wear OS platform. The app now features a UI redesign to match the Android 14 aesthetic. Once you tap on the message you want to reply to, you’ll be greeted by three icons: emoji, keyboard, and a microphone in the center. By tapping the microphone you can record a message lasting 59 seconds and send it as a reply.
Screenshots from the new user interface
Until now you could only send canned short replies or have problems with the Watch’s on-screen keyboard.
Notably, WhatsApp has had a similar feature since it first introduced its Wear OS-based app, but Google rolling it out for Messages could spark a wave of other messaging services doing the same. It seems like an obvious feature to have, but we have yet to see it rolled out across more messaging apps.
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