Google introduced a new API called “Bubbles” making it easier for developers to push more visible notifications on top of the user’s display. This is similar to Facebook Messenger’s “Chat Heads” feature which pushes the Google message app notifications directly onto the display screen.
Bubbles API was in its initial phase of development in 2019, and Android 10 users had the option to trigger it manually from within the Developer Options. Google had also asked the developers to test the API in their apps so that when the Google Bubble feature is finally enabled, the supported apps will be ready too.
In all likelihood, the Bubble feature will go live in Android 11.
In October 2019, Google was supposedly testing and prepping the Google Messages app for the new bubble notification support. Google Bubble message appears at the edge of the display with a photo of the contact, the app icon and a preview of the message. However, if left unanswered the bubble will disappear after a few seconds and will be replaced by a notification dot.
The Bubble functions much like the Facebook messenger app. The bubble opens up the conversation in an overlay, and to dismiss the chat, the user needs to hold the bubble and drag it down towards the bottom of the screen where the ‘x’ icon appears.
Google has not released the official version of the Bubble feature yet but hopefully, they will once the beta testing is done, or we can expect the new feature in Android 11.
Jane Manchun Wong who is an expert in digging up hidden features in apps, recently tweeted that Google is working on a new feature that will add a new Google Duo button in a message thread to open the app. The inclusion of Google Duo in a messaging thread will work a lot like WhatsApp video calling feature or even Facebook Messenger’s feature.
The Google Duo icon appears at the top of the messaging thread, right beside the call and search icons. It is not yet known when these features will be available to everyone.
