Google has announced to roll out RCS (Rich Communication Services) to all Android users in the US. The RCS will replace the traditional MMS and SMS text messaging with more useful chat features. RCS had been making a messaging app without Google across Android devices and carriers around the world.
We’ve worked on upgrading traditional SMS text messaging with more useful chat features, powered by RCS (Rich Communication Services),” to make your conversations more seamless, Google said in a statement on Thursday.
RCS on Android adds features like read receipts, by this feature users will be able to see if people haven’t seen the latest messages,” WiFi connectivity, high-res media, and better group messaging to your texts. You can chat over Wi-Fi or mobile data, send and receive high-resolution photos and videos with your friends,”
Unfortunately, RCS does not support end-to-end encryption, making apps like Signal and WhatsApp safer options if you want to limit the chances of the feds or miscreants snooping in on your texts.
Users of Google’s app will eventually see a notification to “Do more with Messages,” and then they’ll be able to “enable chat features” which is RCS. RCS allows for larger file transfers, read receipts, and typing notifications.
“If you already have Messages, you’ll also be prompted to enable chat features in the coming weeks. If you don’t have Messages, you can download it on the Play Store. We expect this service to be broadly available in the US by the end of the year,” said the company. It’s currently ‘rolling out’ and Google says it will reach everyone in the US by the end of 2019.
