Once RCS chat is available, when you enable RCS chat in Google Messages, you can send secure and interactive messages right on your Android smartphone, which used to require a third-party application and an iPhone. RCS chat is fast being recognized as one of the most popular standards for texting because it comes with several advanced functions like media sharing, inline responses with typing indicators, and encryption.
The best Android smartphones have exceptional camera capabilities; to share images and videos with the highest quality, you’ll need RCS rather than the traditional SMS and MMS texts designed for old low bandwidth cellular connections. With RCS and 5G, you can show your family and colleagues where you are and what’s happening and be more expressive with Android’s built-in messaging application features.
What exactly is RCS Messaging? What’s distinct from. Ordinary texts.
Rich Communications Services (RCS) is a protocol for communication which eventually will replace SMS and MMS messages currently available on Android devices. Though the RCS protocol was first introduced in 2007, it could only get traction some time ago.
Google cooperated with GSMA, its members, and carriers worldwide to develop an international profile that works with RCS and utilizes the Android Messages Client in 2019. Most Android users can access RCS messaging. However, RCS Messaging isn’t compatible with iOS.
The RCS update provides:
- A superior overall user experience.
- Featuring features comparable to those in iMessage.
- WhatsApp.
- Facebook Messenger.
Secure messaging, improved messaging as well as group chats, as well as real-time typing indicators, are a few of the features that are included in RCS chat.
What’s the significance of RCS communicating?
Rich Communication Services is an exchange protocol that connects mobile phone operators and phones. The goal behind RCS is to eventually be able to replace SMS or MMS messaging formats, which are the ones that we’re familiar with since they’ve been in use for many years.
RCS was founded in 2007 and then acquired in 2007 by the GSM Association (GSMA), the industry trade organization representing mobile operators worldwide and was established in 2008. In 2016, the GSMA came to the Universal Profile – a set of standards that mobile operators, manufacturers of phones, and software developers can utilize to enable RCS implementation on their devices. RCS messaging functions as WhatsApp, a live chat platform where conversations are possible, with multi-media support. The network of data manages all of this.
What’s the latest status of the RCS message?
Since the beginning, RCS has been widely utilized by both software and hardware mobile phone operators. It’s also supported by the standard Google Messages app available on Android. One of the issues in the past was that mobile networks were given responsibility for support, but only some acted to change the issue. A myriad of factors contributed to this – the removal of SMS or MMS prices, as well as working on cross-network features, could have been seen by the RCS as being of low importance.
But, in June, Google took the reins back. It has since seen RCS messages available for Android devices, and it is utilizing Google’s servers, not the mobile phones’ servers. Google has stated, however, that if a mobile phone network can support RCS, its servers could be utilized for transferring messages.
The system was launched on its feet, opening up an entirely new platform for messaging to Android users. However, Google focused on France as well as the U.K. at first. In the U.K., it began to be available on the 28th of June 2019 to a select group of users. The service was made available to all users in the U.S. at the end of December.
The U.S. four major U.S. providers – Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile – have agreed to an inter-carrier solution to RCS as part of a CCMI – Cross-Carrier Messaging Initiative project. We’re at a point where RCS is available worldwide and interoperable, with the exclusion of Russia and China.
Chat is a method of communication.
Chat isn’t a messaging application per se, and Chat is the name used to describe the RCS protocol or RCS Universal Profile. Chat can be found only on two platforms: Google’s Messages and Samsung Messages. Although this might seem limiting, most Android smartphones offer this messaging application. Some components are required for Chat to function as intended. In the first place, providers must be able to accept Chat’s protocol. Additionally, you must have an application and device that can support Chat. The recipients must also be able to use Chat or Chat messages will be converted to regular SMS.
Additionally, RCS brings Android messaging to the 21st century; RCS also includes reading receipts, keyboard indicators, and the capability to transmit and receive high-resolution images and videos. RCS allows people to communicate via wireless or mobile data. It lets users create group chats with names and add and remove members from chat groups. The user can turn on RCS when you launch the Android Messages app and switch on chat options by adjusting the settings. Text messages will be automatically sent across the new protocol, assuming both parties use RCS.
Where we are now
RCS is available in the market today and can be charged according to your data plan, but you need to sign up for it using Google or the provider you use. Recently, those using a brand new device or opening the Messages application for the first time are prompted to select more advanced RCS messages and chat capabilities.
The RCS standard allows Android users to share high-quality pictures and videos, and Google has integrated its Photos application into messages. It is possible to send videos in the form of Google Photos links inside an RCS chat, and shortly, you’ll also be able to share pictures in the same manner.
Although the initial RCS protocol was limited to client-to-server encryption, from June 2021, end-to-end encryption is available in Chat within Google Messages. RCS does not support tablets, laptops, desktops, or watches — devices not equipped with distinct telephone numbers.
Beyond the United States, many worldwide telecom providers are now part of the RCS universal profile model, such as Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom, and NTT Docomo, along with others who serve Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, and Latin America. In addition to the U.K. and French carriers, Google has fully rolled out RCS across these countries.
Can RCS become an industry-standard in the same way that SMS did? Given the slow progress of the last ten years and the lack of progress in the past ten years, it’s challenging to feel optimistic, particularly when Apple needs to take the lead.
What is the impact of RCS on SlickText?
We at SlickText are passionate about new technologies. We’re constantly considering the latest exciting feature we can offer as an element of our mass text messaging service. We’ve just released some new features to our platform, allowing users to benefit from this new and exciting method of communicating with clients.
Last thoughts and the next steps
Do you want to create an RCS advanced message experience? Work with MessageDesk to develop the next level of messages to connect with your target audience.
Get in touch with us for more about the RCS strategic alliance.