Apple has announced some major changes to their Messages app, from bigger and better emoji integration, handwriting capabilities and new full screen animations.
Revealed as part of the iOS 10 update, emojis will now appear three times larger on-screen. Not only that, but the app is now able to spot words within your messages that can be replaced by emojis.
Messages will now also be much more interactive, with users able to add full screen animations to conversations in order to emphasise a point, as well as new compatibility that means Messages can recognise handwriting, so you can send handwritten notes to friends and family.
Apple also announced that as well as these new ways of interacting, the app will now be open to developers for the first time, meaning other apps can be integrated into conversations.
On stage this was demonstrated as being able to send money to each other directly using payment apps, or placing a restaurant or takeaway order in the middle of a conversation with friends.
It’s a bold move from Apple as it looks to take on the likes of WhatsApp, which recently surpassed one billion users.