Google has started the global roll-out of its new Chat messaging service, which is designed to replace SMS text messages on Android phones.

The new messaging app has features such as group texts, videos, typing indicators and read receipts, which are not available when sending SMS texts.

Chat will be integrated with the default messages app on Android phones.

However, it will be up to mobile operators to enable the service and it does not offer encrypted messages.

The new system has been in development for several years, but is now beginning to appear on Android phones.

Android's messaging mess
SMS - the short message service - was widely adopted in the 1990s. It lets mobile phones exchange basic 160-character text messages over the mobile network.

Modern messaging apps offer much more advanced features and send messages over the internet rather than using SMS.

However, the default messaging app on Android smartphones - Messages - is still a comparatively basic SMS client.

Google has tried several times to launch its own feature-rich mobile messaging app, but its attempts have failed to win over a large audience.


Advanced rivals
Google's rivals such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp support advanced features such as typing indicators and high-resolution pictures. Apple's iPhones have the similarly feature-rich iMessage service built-in.

This time, rather than try to launch yet another messaging app, Google has been working to integrate a new messaging standard with its Android operating system.

Mobile operators, phone manufacturers and app-makers will be able to use the new technology to develop messaging apps that are compatible with one another.

The standard is known as the Universal Profile for Rich Communication Services (RCS) - but it will be given the more consumer-friendly name of Chat when it is rolled out to Android devices.

To develop Chat, Google has worked with more than 50 mobile networks including Vodafone, T-Mobile and Verizon and manufacturers such as Samsung, LG and Huawei.

However, Security experts have warned that Chat does not offer encrypted communication. As with SMS, Chat messages are not scrambled as they travel across the mobile network.

Google's Anil Sabharwal told technology news site The Verge that "RCS continues to be a carrier-owned service", which means that messages can still be legally intercepted.

The company said it expected the functionality to be widely available on Android phones within two years.

Source: www.bbc.com

Gbese!!!
What will now happen to me bulk sms business now

How do I start to use it

We are waiting

Sounds cool! It's USSD that needs revamping next.

It is not an app o bro. It is a service and another thing, the service is not own by Google. It is a third party messaging service.

The messaging system is called Rich Communications services (RCS), not an app! Read more: https://www.questechie.com/2018/04/google-looks-rich-communications-services.html

talk2hb1:
Gbese!!!
What will now happen to me bulk sms business now

Is that what you should be worried about? It's not compulsory to use it. Besides, you shouldn't even dare it. Why do you think your messages will be safe? Google wants access to your privacy. All the ones you gave them when you are downloading their apps never do them. Now, they want to manage your text messages.

chyy5:
We are waiting

Good luck

laribari:


Is that what you should be worried about? It's not compulsory to use it. Besides, you shouldn't even dare it. Why do you think your messages will be safe? Google wants access to your privacy. All the ones you gave them when you are downloading their apps never do them. Now, they want to manage your text messages.

Thats Google Primary aim!!!

laribari:


Is that what you should be worried about? It's not compulsory to use it. Besides, you shouldn't even dare it. Why do you think your messages will be safe? Google wants access to your privacy. All the ones you gave them when you are downloading their apps never do them. Now, they want to manage your text messages.

It's not a Google initiative, but GSMA, the global body of all GSM associations, and who told you Google don't already have access to your smses.

Nigerian networks will never allow this.. Those Greedy bastards are already complaining to ncc about whatsapp and the likes are reducing their income.

Gizmomachine:
It is not an app o bro. It is a service and another thing, the service is not own by Google. It is a third party messaging service.

could you give a source to this?

Gizmomachine:
It is not an app o bro. It is a service and another thing, the service is not own by Google. It is a third party messaging service.

Nice.. Yes its a service just like iMessage on iPhone works with ur data bt still on ur txt message. very cool

BadBradley:
could you give a source to this?

Op take note

EarthXmetahuman:
Nigerian networks will never allow this.. Those Greedy bastards are already complaining to ncc about whatsapp and the likes are reducing their income.

Its already works on iPhone as iMessage(free messaging service) google is just copying iPhone on this. If u run out of crdt u can still send text msgs Bt it works only btween iPhones so I guess this will communicate only btween androids.

i have successfully activated it on my device 09059936168