Context is important, context is king, and context is good
Navigating on your Android phone with its apps and notifications has become smarter and easier over time. Smart Replies make it easy to send quick responses, and for those who use Google Messages, it’s a quick tap to keep someone off your back while you’re busy. But Google knows that there’s more to be done with predictive behavioral suggestions, and it looks like some of its developers are looking to put that into action.
In an app decompilation, 9to5Google has seen prompts for new context-aware suggested shortcuts that let users “get a message, schedule in the moment, and more…”.
The current user-facing text states that these shortcuts are triggered when the app reads phone numbers, dates, and other such data that may need to be remembered later.
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As revealed by 9to5Google
Shortcuts may appear, as the animation above for starred messages indicates, as a grayed-out icon appearing in the UI that can be tapped to activate.
We’re assuming a good amount based on limited reporting so far, but starred messages may take precedence in the home view of messages, while times or dates may prompt users to write quick calendar appointments or reminders, although this Not displayed or mentioned further until 9to5.
These items were found in the latest Google Messages beta (via APK Mirror), but it might be best to take a “wait and see” approach.
Google Messages is also learning in its efforts to provide automated context to users’ threads, sorting them into different categories such as donations, personal communication and one-time passwords.
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About the Author
Jules Wang (1355 articles published)
Jules joined the Android Police team in 2019. Before that, he was in Pocketnow. He loves public transportation, podcasts, and people in general. He also likes to take ideas from the big picture in technology about how people are drawn to how it’s used in every other industry.
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