Google is trying out Instagram-esque effects for native Messages app in Android

Google offers a messaging app (called Messages) for Android phones. However, it often gets passed over for others that carry out the same function. This may be because a user's contacts also use them, but also due to their possible increased popularity and feature-set. Now, it appears the Mountain View company is doing something about this.

An XDA contributor and developer called Quinny899 has gained access to a new version of Messages for  Android, which has a new option called Effects. It becomes apparent when the user opens the camera from the app in order to add a new photo or video to a given message. Effects allows for certain animated edits to populate the medium in question, as it does in the better-known medium for the same tech, Instagram.

However, unlike this app's much more extensive portfolio of options, Messages has only 5 Effects thus far: "angel", "balloons", "confetti", "fireworks", and "plane". Then again, according to a video demonstration conducted by the correspondent Max Weinbach, they are well-executed and conform more or less accurately to the subject in 3D.

The feature reportedly works for messages sent using SMS, MMS or RCS. It is not yet clear when or if it will work its way into the public, stable version of Messages. To date, this app supports GIFs, stickers and emojis. Perhaps these new Effects will be the next step in snazzing the app up for Android users.