If you've ever had to send a friend a pin on Google Maps every time they asked where you were, Google has some good news.
According to TechRadar, Google Messages is preparing to roll out live location sharing, a feature that's been hidden in the app's code for months but is finally getting ready for public use.
Here's what's coming: when the feature launches, you'll be able to share exactly where you are with your contacts through Google Messages. Think of it as being able to send a live GPS dot of yourself to your friends or family instead of constantly texting them updates. Better yet, you get to decide how long the location stays visible — you're in complete control.
If you only want to share for five minutes while you're driving to meet someone, you can do that. A live notification will appear in your chat so everyone knows you're currently broadcasting your location.
The feature is also connected to Google's Find Hub system, which means your location will show up there if you're using that service. You can check it out through your phone or even a web browser on a computer. It's the kind of practical feature that makes group meetups way less confusing. Developers have reportedly already gotten a sneak peek at how it works by testing an early version.
On a smaller note, Google is also making it easier to start group chats. Instead of tapping one contact and then hitting a "Create group" button, you'll now be able to pick multiple people right away when you tap the start chat button. It's a small change, but anyone who's constantly organizing group hangs will appreciate cutting out that extra step.
Google Messages has been improving steadily over the past year, and these additions show the app is getting serious about keeping up with what people actually want. With iPhones now supporting the same RCS technology that Google Messages uses, these upgrades make the messaging app one of Google's most useful tools.
Source: TechRadar
