Petition to keep Samsung Messages and Side panel evolving rather than abandoned

[Windroid]

Dear all

On one hand, there have been some rumours/news circulating that Samsung is moving away from its OWN messaging app in favour of google messaging app (reminds me of Microsoft's notorious habit of abandoning products) . On the other hand, other news suggests that the side panel will disappear with few exceptions.

For those who care

Can we, somehow, raise our voice so Samsung can hear us clearly and loudly that we DO WANT Samsung messages to continue being updated and enhanced rather than abandoned because we prefer the features, the look, the integration and the fact it is from Samsung itself.

Same can be said about the side panel. It is a very handy Samsung exclusive integrated feature and removing it feels like chopping some of your fingers if you use the feature and rely on it.  Yes you get to use your hand with 4 or 3 fingers, but your hand will never be the same without the original state of 5 fingers. 

Samsung, Please do not remove/abandon very useful apps/features just for the sake of "updating" the experience or following the steps of others. Be yourself, be genuine, be Samsung, and evolve along this path.

[keith30]

👍

[AndrewL]

@Windroid: We haven't made any official announcements regarding the removal of support for the Samsung Messages app or the Edge Panel, therefore these rumours should be treated as such for the time being. We absolutely appreciate your feedback, as we are a constantly on a journey to improve the overall user experience, however this can sometimes result in the removal or re-imagining of some features for streamlining purposes. I can assure you that your voice has been heard, and I will make sure to pass your comments to our Research and Development Team, should there be any official announcements regarding these features. 

[Windroid]

You are a star 🌟 ❤🙏

[Moiramon]

It does look like Samsung are depreciating Samsung messages in favour of Google messages. Otherwise you wouldn't get the message to upgrade to Google messages. I've always used Google messages so doesn't affect me.

[Sonora]

My opinion is that RCS is the main reason why Samsung will give up its app in favor of Google. Samsung can't (maybe it can, but it has no interest) to ensure stable RCS all over the world. Google has the resources to do that, and it's Google that can push RCS beyond mobile carriers as the new standard for messaging apps. Maybe Google will introduce the ability to change the background of an individual chat, two years ago there was no possibility to change the sound for notifications, now it can be adjusted for each chat. Now the colors of the bubbles can also be changed, and I already mentioned that Google's RCS is very stable and secure. In addition, you can chat with Gemini, and if you use the Samsung keyboard and Galaxy AI is available in Google Messages. And let's not forget that Samsung gave up backup photos on Samsung Cloud in favor of Microsoft. Samsung is a giant, but Google and Microsoft are even bigger giants.

But I support your petition,  Samsung Messages is good app. But now I really prefer Google Messages. 

[leafarilongamor]

I apologize, but I don't care much about the Samsung Messages app, as long as the replacement can integrate Bixby, Routines, Galaxy AI, and other Samsung services. RCS sounds like an improvement, and I understand Samsung not wanting to put effort into duplicating a simple service that works well as a default option. Everyone outside the US, South Korea, Japan, and a few other countries uses WhatsApp anyway. 🤷‍

However, I don't understand why they don't want to properly maintain and improve Side Panels, which are a really useful and differentiated feature. Not enhancing Side Panels on their tablets is already ridiculous, but ditching them altogether on their smartphones as well? What is happening to Samsung? I’ll need to look for a way to avoid updating my devices if new updates start removing features I use and need.

As for product abandonment, Samsung is still far from the worst provider, and I'd like them to keep it that way. I’d say that Samsung and Microsoft at least try hard before dropping products and projects, while Google is certainly the champion in this category. Let's not even mention the Google app cemetery, LOL.

It's a shame we can't have H (I don't even know if I can mention their name here) in the game; they are really putting effort into their products, but we can't say much about their long-term support for them.

[GoanGeek]

I am one of those who prefer Samsung messages to Google messages.

I love the Samsung UI and the icon compared to googles so will use Samsung messages as long as I can.
I ain't brothered about rcs. As I use WhatsApp.

I would like my Samsung messages plz. Thank you. 🙏

[Windroid]

Dear brother 🫂🩵

[Msharp95]

👏