Google announced a new Generative AI-focused messaging feature called Magic Compose at its I/O keynote earlier this year. The company has started rolling out the beta version of the feature now. Before you give it a shot, you must know what Magic Compose is, how it works, how to use it, and why it has a major security flaw many users are concerned about.
Magic Compose even works with RCS, Android’s alternative to Apple’s iMessage. For context, RCS (Rich Communication Service) sends messages using data connectivity, while regular SMS sends messages over the cellular network. This is the key difference between the RCS and SMS messaging protocols.
What is Google Magic Compose?
The new Google Magic Compose is an ‘experimental’ feature by the company for the messaging service on Android. It suggests a series of possible AI-generated responses using the context of a conversation. This can save you a lot of time and enhance your written texts.
The feature also comes with many tones and styles like Formal, Chill, Excited, and even Shakespearan. You can generate any message most suitable for the situation without brainstorming the right combination of words yourself. Generative AI will do that for you.
Users can also edit any chosen response before sending it. Google introduced Magic Compse as Android’s guided customization feature that will help people compose more personal and relevant messages using artificial intelligence. It’s one of the attempts by the company to incorporate AI in producing fruitful results for users and help Android get an edge in the competitive market.
How does Google Magic Compose work?
Google uses Generative AI to compose messages or assist you in writing within its messaging app. When you use Magic Compose, Google sends up to 20 previous messages to its servers to generate suggestions. This happens if you are using RCS with E2EE (end-to-end encryption).
The feature then generates stylish and suitable responses; you can also select the tone to make them more relevant. Using this feature, you can find ideas to extend a conversation or even start a new one. Magic Compose processes the context of your previous messages to churn out the most precise responses.
For instance, if you are conversing with a colleague from your office, you can select the ‘Forma’ style, which will generate a highly professional message. However, you can choose an informal style when talking with your friends, and the AI will respond accordingly.
Release Date of Google Magic Compose:
Google introduced Magic Compose at the 2023 I/O event on May 10. The tech giant launched a beta for the new Generative AI feature on May 25, 2023. The company is testing the feature with a few users to fine-tune it before the main launch.
The early access is pretty limited at this time, and it’s only available to users over 18 years of age with an Android phone, a US SIM card, and their primary language set to English. Additionally, Google One Premium members have priority access to the beta, while Android Go devices are incompatible.
No release date is available for Google Magic Compose, but it should roll out for everyone soon. We expect Google to fully launch the feature for the latest flagships running on newer Android versions in a few months. It would take more time to come to budget phones, though.
How to Use Google Magic Compose?
Using Google Magic Compose is simple. You need access to the feature to use it now. Another thing you need to ensure before proceeding is that RCS Chats are enabled on your device.
Follow these steps to use the new Generative AI messaging feature on your Android smartphone:
- Go to the Messages and app and open an RCS conversation (You can join an existing RCS chat or start a new one).
- Now tap the Message suggestions icon (it appears like a speech bubble with a plus sign).
- If the interface allows you to try Magic Compose, tap ‘Try it.’ (If you don’t see this, you may not be eligible to try the feature right away).
- Next, choose a tone/style, and AI will compose a message according to that.
- You can edit the message if it isn’t perfect yet.
- Finally, hit the ‘Send’ button.
This is how you use Magic Compose to write and send messages on Android. You can also rate Google’s new Generative AI feature’s performance and provide suggestions to help improve it further.
How to Join the Google Magic Compose Beta Program?
You can apply for the early access beta program to try Google Magic Compose immediately. You need an Android device with RCS Chats enabled. If you’re a Google One subscriber, it’s a plus that’ll increase your chances of getting accepted. Follow these steps to know what you have to do:
- Go to Google Play and install Messages by Google app.
- Now visit this link and click the ‘Become a tester’ button.
- A warning prompt will appear explaining that the beta version might be unstable.
- Tap on ‘Join’ and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Once you have joined the beta, head over to the Messages app.
- Open any RCS chat and see if you get the option to try Magic Compose.
That’s it. Remember that joining the beta won’t guarantee access to the feature immediately. You’ll have to wait for your turn before using the new AI-powered feature. If you need to try it out right now, you can shed $9.99 for the monthly subscription to Google One.
Google points out that, “Google One Premium members in the Messages beta testing program have priority access as more spots become available.” Else, you can wait until the feature becomes available for you.
Is Google Magic Compose safe?
There is a major security concern about Google Magic Compose, first pointed out by Android Police, that the feature sends up to 20 previous messages to Google’s servers to generate suggestions even when it’s an RCS chat with end-to-end encryption enabled.
Google explains on the Magic Compose support page that your previous messages will be sent to its servers along with emojis, reactions, and URLs for the AI to process and generate responses based on them. It further explains that no attachments, voice messages, and images will be sent but image captions and voice transcriptions may be sent.
This raised several eyebrows as people started discussing the big caveat on social media platforms. To acknowledge that, Google spokesperson Justin Rende clarified to The Verge that “conversation data used by Magic Compose is not retained” and that “suggested response outputs are not retained once they’ve been provided to the user.” He also explained that Google still won’t read any of your messages.
Hence, Google Magic Compose is safe despite bypassing EE2E and sending your chats to Google servers for AI-based processing. The company won’t send your messages to its servers when you’re not using the feature, and they won’t read them even when they are sent. So, you shouldn’t worry much.
Final Take:
Google Magic Compose is the perfect feature for anyone who communicates through text messages on their Android smartphone and frequently switches between personal and professional conversations. AI can greatly help such users deliver the finest messages without wasting time.
This new Generative AI feature exemplifies how Google plans to incorporate artificial intelligence into the Android ecosystem for better performance and productivity. The company is also catching up to Microsoft, its arch-nemesis, who launched a similar feature in its keyboard app, SwiftKey.
That’s all for this post. If you have any queries about Magic Compose, please use the comment box. We’ll be glad to clear the air about the upcoming feature.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A: Magic Compose is a new Generative AI-powered feature that lets Android users compose text messages in the Messages app. It allows users to create responses based on the context of previous messages in different tones and styles that are most suitable for the situation. Users can choose the tone/style and edit the text before sending it.
A: Google launched the early access beta program of Magic Compose on May 25, 2023. The feature is currently in beta and should be available to everyone soon. If you want to try it out right now, you can join the Messages beta by Google on Google Play. Google One Premium members have priority access to it.
A: Yes, Google Magic Compose is a free-to-use feature in the Messages app that lets users compose texts using artificial intelligence. However, it is in the beta phase and unavailable for everyone yet. Google One premium members who are a part of the beta program have priority access to the feature.
A: To use Magic Compose, you must have access to the feature as it’s only available for a limited number of beta testers right now. If you can access it, open any RCS chat to the Messages app. Now tap the Message suggestions icon (blue bubble with plus sign) and tap on ‘Try it’ when Magic Compose is offered to you. After that, AI will compose messages for you in your selected tone and style.
This is Saquib, a technology and social media expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. With a passion for staying up-to-date on the latest developments and trends in the tech and social media world and as a writer, I have been creating informative and engaging content that is easy for readers to understand and enjoy, also published in several leading tech and social media publications and is a regular speaker at industry events. In addition to my writing and speaking engagements, I also work as a consultant, helping businesses grow with the ever-changing tech and social media niche.
