Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL; DR
- Google recently redesigned the unannounced Selfie GIF feature within Google Messages.
- This feature has a support page and we've already seen it in action (somewhat), but now it seems like it's about to get a revamped look.
- It's possible this will be formally launched at Google I/O next week.
In April we heard that there would be a position Google Posts called Selfie GIF. As the name suggests, it allows you to record a three-second video clip that will automatically be converted into a GIF. You can then send it to the people you chat with in Messages. Google hasn't formally launched this feature, but it is an official support pageso we know it's definitely on its way.
A MOT disassembly helps predict features that may appear on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, such predicted features may not make it to a public release.
Today we discovered that the feature is present in the latest beta version of Messages (messages.android_20240503_00_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic), which is a good sign of an upcoming launch. We've also seen that Google has changed it up a bit since we last saw it, although the functionality seems to be largely the same.
Watch how it works in the video below:
If you want to skip the video, here's a description:
- In the message text input bar, you can tap the “+” icon to open the function menu.
- There select Selfie GIF.
- A circular viewfinder will appear and you can start recording. Make a face, give a thumbs up, draw a heart, or do whatever you want the GIF to show.
- Once you're done, you have the option to send the GIF or recreate the recording.
- When you send it, Messages uploads the media to chat, which appears there with the same circular dimensions as when you captured it.
Alternatively, you can launch a Selfie GIF by pressing and holding the camera icon on the message text input bar. However, the steps below are the same.
Since this feature has been implemented effectively and already has a live support page, we can only imagine that it will be launched very soon. It's possible it could end up at Google I/O next week, but that's just speculation.