Google Messages just got a big update: new previews, mentions, and smarter security
Google Messages is rolling out fresh features you'll actually notice.
Link previews now show bigger images, and YouTube videos can play in picture-in-picture mode within your chat, though you can't open the full YouTube app from the preview.
In group chats, @mentions make it easy to get someone's attention—even if they've muted notifications.
Plus, cross-platform end-to-end encryption is coming soon for extra privacy.
More cool stuff: image remixing and spam protection
The new "Remix with Nano Banana" tool lets you tweak photos using prompts (think creative edits on the fly), though it's only in English-speaking countries for now and has daily limits.
On the safety side, spam link detection helps block shady sites before you click, and a Key Verifier tool makes sure you're really chatting with who you think—so impersonators have a tougher time sneaking in.