Bard is coming to Google Messages on Pixel and other Android devices

Google’s AI chatbot, Bard, appears to be on the verge of integration into the Google Messages app, according to insights gained from a deep dive into the code by 9to5Google. The AI assistant will help Google Messages users on Pixel and other Android devices “write messages, translate languages, identify images, and explore interests” on the fly.

In the latest beta version, there’s an option to enable Bard from the “New Conversations” screen. It is located just below the “create group” option and above the user’s contacts list, indicating a seamless integration into the messaging platform. Apparently, this integration’s codename is “penpal.” As you can see from the screenshot below, Bard appears with a familiar two-star logo alongside the prompt: “Understand, create, or explore something new.”

Tapping “penpal” opens a chat with Bard, just like you’d message any other contact, only that Bard isn’t your average texter. This AI assistant can do some pretty cool tricks. The feature set includes image recognition, book suggestions by genre, and the ability to draft messages. Bard is even said to provide recipe suggestions based on a user-provided list of ingredients, showcasing its diverse functionalities. All of this happens inside the Google Messages app. Initiating a chat with Bard brings up a detailed description explaining its privacy notice and user security information.

In the Google Messages app, users will see a small star next to the timestamp of Bard responses, mirroring the way the sparkly logo appears alongside responses on the web. Long-pressing Bard’s response allows users to express approval or disapproval with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. The APK deep dive also revealed options to forward, share, and star Bard’s answers.

However, before you dive headfirst into Bard-powered texting, there’s a privacy tidbit to consider. Chats with Bard are not end-to-end encrypted, a measure taken by Google to further train the machine-learning software within the AI assistant. Users are warned against entering sensitive information, as Google may review the data. However, Google claims the information reviewed is “disconnected” from the user’s account, with a retention period of up to three years.

So, when can you expect Bard to liven up your Messages? This APK teardown suggests it’s definitely in the pipeline, but the exact date remains a mystery.