Google, Global Carriers Team Up to Improve Text Messaging

Google wants to improve the text-messaging feel on Android by embracing Rich Communications Services (RCS), though in an age of WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, it remains to be seen if the move will have much of an impact.

MWC Bug Art Nonetheless, the search behemothic is teaming upwards with mostly international wireless carriers to roll out RCS, which promises features like group chat, high-resolution photo sharing, read receipts, and avant-garde calling.

Participating carriers include Dart, América Móvil, Bharti Airtel Ltd, Deutsche Telekom, Etisalat, Globe Telecom, KPN, Millicom, MTN, Orange, PLAY, Smart Communications, Telenor Group, TeliaSonera, Telstra, TIM, Turkcell, VimpelCom, and Vodafone. They accept "agreed to transition toward a common, universal profile based on the GSMA's RCS specifications and an Android RCS client provided past Google in collaboration with operators and OEMs," according to the GSMA, which runs MWC.

According to the GSMA, carriers can "deploy their own infrastructure or they have the choice to use the Jibe Platform from Google, which supports the universal RCS contour." Google acquired Jibe in September to help carriers "easily deploy RCS to their users."

"The features available in SMS haven't kept up with modernistic messaging apps. Rich Communications Services (RCS) is a new standard for carrier messaging and brings many of the features that people now expect from mobile messaging, such every bit group chats, loftier res photos and more," Google said at the time.

"Many leaders in the wireless manufacture have already put great work into laying the foundation for RCS, and nosotros've heard from many of them that in that location are means Android can help," Google continued. "Nosotros're excited to team upwards with mobile operators, device makers and the balance of the Android ecosystem to support RCS standards and help advance their deployment in a more consistent way."

If group conversation, high-resolution photo sharing, read receipts, and advanced calling sound like something you already engage in, you probably either have an iPhone or use messaging apps like WhatsApp, which now has more than 1 billion users. But for Android users, the motility means they might non have to move to a standalone messaging app to employ these features.

"This initiative will greatly simplify and accelerate adoption of the technology, and points to the future of how mobile users will communicate with 1 another," GSMA CTO Alex Sinclair said in a statement. "This is an incredibly positive development for the industry."

Exact rollout plans haven't been announced. Information technology remains to be seen if U.Due south. carriers beyond Sprint sign on; as The Verge reports, T-Mobile says information technology's not necessarily involved even though parent company DT is part of the deal.

This commodity originally appeared on PCMag.com.