Google is Rolling Out RCS Assist to Android Messages within the U.S.
RCS is lastly right here — not less than for Android customers. Google has introduced it’s rolling out RCS as Android’s major texting platform to anybody who makes use of the Android Messages app.
RCS is a fairly large deal for Google and largely seen as Google’s technique to compete higher with Apple’s iMessage. That’s as a result of it’s primarily a next-generation texting platform, enabling options discovered on iMessage, like learn receipts, higher group message assist, higher multimedia assist, and extra.
“To make your conversations extra seamless, we’ve labored on upgrading conventional SMS textual content messaging with extra helpful chat options, powered by RCS (Wealthy Communication Providers),” Google stated in an announcement. “Whenever you and your folks message one another with these chat options, you may chat over Wi-Fi or cell knowledge, ship and obtain high-resolution pictures and movies, and see if individuals have obtained your newest messages.”
In fact, there’s one main drawback to Chat in comparison with Apple’s iMessage — the truth that Apple’s service is end-to-end encrypted, whereas Google’s just isn’t. Google guarantees that it’ll solely retailer messages in transit, and received’t save them afterward, however it could nonetheless be potential for messages to be intercepted or learn by others. Due to that, the privacy-conscious will wish to follow different providers, like WhatsApp or iMessage.
To benefit from the brand new service, you’ll merely must be sure that Android Messages is the default texting app in your cellphone. Many Android telephones include Android Messages because the default, nonetheless some producers, like Samsung, bundle in their very own messaging apps. If you wish to use RCS, you’ll want to move to the Google Play Retailer and obtain Messages for your self.
The rollout of RCS has been just a little awkward over the previous few years. Carriers began rolling out restricted assist final yr, however it was solely accessible on choose telephones — and as such, it was fairly messy. With Google taking management of the rollout, it may possibly bypass the messiness of carriers’ rollout.
When the characteristic arrives in your cellphone, you’ll be prompted to allow it within the app. In response to Google, RCS will probably be “broadly accessible” by the tip of 2019.
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