It may feel like an eternity, but the Magic Compose feature was officially unveiled at the Google I/O 2023 conference in May of that year.
Just a short while later, at the end of the same month, the feature began its rollout. However, there was a catch—it was exclusively available in the United States, and with significant restrictions. To make use of Magic Compose, users needed an Android phone with a U.S. SIM card, and the feature was only functional in English.
Now, there's a gradual shift, and Magic Compose is extending its reach internationally, though the expansion is unfolding at a leisurely pace (as reported by 9to5Google).
What is Magic Compose?
Before diving into the specifics of where Magic Compose is expanding, let's take a moment to refresh your memory or introduce you to what it is. In case you haven't used it or don't have a running list of every single I/O 2023 announcement, here's a quick overview.
Essentially, Magic Compose is a feature that generates AI-driven text messages on your behalf. Activating the feature involves tapping a sparkled pencil icon in the text field. Once engaged, it prompts you to experiment with various style options for your next message reply. These options include Remix, Excited, Chill, Shakespeare, Lyrical, Formal, or Short.
For Magic Compose to understand you better and mimic your style, the feature utilizes up to 20 of your previous messages, sending them to Google's servers. This information is used to generate relevant and contextually appropriate suggestions, covering emojis, reactions, and URLs. It's important to note that messages with attachments, voice messages, or images are excluded from this data exchange. However, "image captions and voice transcriptions may be sent."
Google assures users that their messages are not stored or used for training machine learning models. Once suggestions are generated, "Google discards the messages from the servers." Importantly, when you're not actively using Magic Compose, "no messages are sent to Google." This approach underscores a commitment to user privacy in the utilization of this AI-driven feature.
Who’s getting it?
Following its availability to eligible users in the United States, there are now reports emerging from France and the UK that Magic Compose has made its debut. To access this feature, users need to be enrolled in the Play Store betas for Google Messages and Carrier Services. Additionally, users must be signed into their Google Account, be over 18 years old, and Google One Premium members receive priority access as more slots become available. This brings a broader international reach to the Magic Compose feature, albeit with specific eligibility criteria in place.
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