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Google Working with AT&T to Bring RCS Services to Android Devices

After years of carriers failing to agree on a universal rich communications service, or RCS, text messaging standard that supports advanced chat features between networks, Google says AT&T is on board to use its Jibe RCS platform. 

Google Senior Vice President Hiroshi Lockheimer tweeted the news late Friday that AT&T’s default Android messaging will use Jibe so their users will get the latest RCS features instantly. 

Unlike SMS and MMS, which send messages over cellular networks, the RCS standard uses data networks to send long messages, uncompressed photos and large group chats without a hitch. Apple’s iMessage and chat apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger already use data to get those features, but it’s been a struggle to get these advanced text features on basic messaging for Android devices.

When is RCS Coming to Mobile Devices?

Though carriers had tried instituting their own separate RCS standards and support rich text features on each other’s networks via a collaborative initiative in 2019, Google bought the Jibe platform in the same year to start its own efforts at RCS multinetwork support.

In 2020 for T-Mobile and by 2021 for AT&T and Verizon, all three major carriers agreed to have Google’s RCS-packing Messages app preloaded on phones to give users access to an app with rich texting features. Friday’s news means AT&T’s default messaging system will now use Jibe, however.

Google has been introducing more RCS smart texting features in its Messages app, like adding emojis to replies, in efforts to catch up to Apple’s iMessage. Despite jabs from Google, Apple has been in no rush to adopt the messaging standard — and at Vox Media’s Code Conference last year, CEO Tim Cook even told an attendee that if he wanted to have seamless messaging when chatting with family, buy your mom an iPhone.

Lockheimer also noted that at Google I/O 2023 last month, the company announced that over 800 million people currently use RCS, which it expects to grow to 1 billion users by the end of 2023.

Benefits of RCS Messaging

The RCS messaging standard offers an enhanced messaging experience for Android users. With RCS, users can send messages over Wi-Fi or mobile data networks, send higher-quality photos and videos, create group chats with up to 100 participants, and see typing indicators and read receipts in real-time. Users can also share their location, make video calls, and send larger files without any issues.

Conclusion

The RCS messaging standard is set to revolutionize the way Android users communicate as it offers advanced text features, offering a seamless chatting experience. With AT&T’s default Android messaging now using Jibe, this ensures that more and more people will get access to the latest RCS features instantly.

FAQs

What is RCS?

RCS stands for Rich Communication Services. It is a messaging protocol that allows Android users to send and receive messages that include text, images, and videos over Wi-Fi or mobile data networks.

How is RCS different from SMS and MMS?

Unlike SMS and MMS, RCS uses data networks to send messages and offers advanced chat features like typing indicators, read receipts, and group chat function. SMS and MMS operate via the cellular network.

When will RCS be available on my phone?

As of now, Google’s RCS-packing Messages app is preloaded on phones sold by T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. If your phone is compatible, you can download the app from the Google Play Store to access the advanced texting features.

Which Android phones support RCS?

Most modern Android phones support RCS. To check if your device is compatible, download the Google Messages app from the Play Store and enable RCS functionality. If there’s an option to enable RCS, your device is compatible. If not, you may need to update your phone’s software or change your default messaging app.

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