The real problem with Google's mobile messaging strategy

If you're reading this column, odds are, you don't use your smartphone like most people.

Most people have one app for text messaging -- the one that came set up on their phone by default. Sure, they might have another platform-specific messaging program, like Facebook Messenger. But they probably aren't looking to add more complexity into that lineup. And when it comes to texting, they probably don't even think about what app they use; they just tap the icon for "the texting app."

Google doesn't seem to be aware of this. Or perhaps more accurately, Google doesn't seem to care -- and the company's announcements around messaging at this year's I/O developers' conference are the prime example of that disconnect. More than anything, these announcements highlight just how out of touch Google is growing with the needs and realities of its users in this all-important department.

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