Android Users Are Getting Closer to an iMessage-Like App

AT&T has announced it’s collaborating with Google to make Messages by Google the default messaging app on all Android telephones supported by the community. This means AT&T subscribers may have entry to Rich Communication Services (RCS) and Messages by Google’s built-in encryption talents.

RCS would successfully deliver some iMessage-like options to all Android gadgets through the native Google Messages app. It consists of easy options like an animated indicator to let you already know a good friend on the opposite finish is typing out their reply. It’s additionally what allows nifty options like messaging over wifi and high-resolution images and video. Of course, Apple must undertake RCS for it to work cross-platform. But for now, all Android customers need is an iMessage-like option to work together with different gadgets operating the identical working system on a unique supplier.

Google has been pushing carriers towards RCS because it introduced compatibility with its messaging app again in 2019. With AT&T and T-Mobile on board, Verizon Wireless is the final hold-out, although RCS, or “Advanced Messaging,” is available on choose Samsung gadgets. Part of why RCS adoption has stayed in a veritable gridlock is that the carriers have been dragging their toes. Before T-Mobile acquired Sprint, the carriers tried to type their very own Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI) with one other third get together fairly than undertake RCS. Google wasn’t a part of that plan, which might have meant additional fragmentation for Android customers had the deal gone by.

AT&T subscribers will even have entry to the opposite perks afforded by Messages by Google, together with full-resolution picture sharing, high-quality video messages, learn receipts, and the flexibility to ship and obtain messages over wifi. Group chats will even work a bit extra fluidly, offered the opposite people are on Android gadgets and have RCS out there. (It’s all the time difficult when an iPhone consumer enters the chat.)

Google’s messaging fragmentation situation hasn’t been solved but. But with AT&T’s close to 45% market share within the U.S., it’ll hopefully gentle a hearth underneath Verizon, the second largest service. It’s time for Big Red to desert its bloated Verizon Messages app in favor of the inventory app from Google that Android customers need to make use of. Just don’t guess on Apple adopting it any time quickly. Android customers are fortunate they even obtained an invitation to FaceTime.

And none in every of this has something to do with Google Chat, a standalone chat utility linked to your Google account. That app additionally works in your cellular gadgets, although it’s akin to an prompt messenger fairly than a textual content message coming out of your cellphone quantity. Regardless, all this consolidation work means Google is actively engaged on shifting everybody towards unification.