Google assistant suggestions now rolling out in Android messages v 4.4 for some selected users. After updating the app you check that feature by going to Android Messages > Settings > Smart Reply & Suggestions. APK
They haven't given themselves the option of killing the app this time, probably because of killing all those apps you mentioned. Messages will have to stay as that's the default SMS app on Android just like iMessage on Apple, but it's just difficult to gain any traction from the users, WhatsApp is too big.
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