Google wants to replace SMS with Chat, an RCS-based messaging service

[midian182]

We’ve known about Google’s plans to replace SMS with the Rich Communication Services standard (RCS) for a couple of years. Now, it's been revealed that the company’s brand name for this iMessage-style experience is ‘Chat,’ and it should be here sometime during 2018.

While many people prefer using messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to communicate, there are still almost 23 billion text messages sent every day. As such, Google wants to improve this long-used technology, which turned 25 in December, with features found in popular applications; this includes read receipts, full-resolution images and video, typing indicators, improved group chats, and more.

The Verge explains that Chat’s features will be automatically turned on inside Android Messages, which is the operating system’s default texting app. Users won’t be charged for sending a Chat message in the same way they would with an SMS; instead, it uses a phone’s data plan, so the cost should be small. And with Microsoft supporting RCS, users might be able to text people directly to their phones from Windows 10 devices.

Messaging someone who doesn’t have Chat enabled, such as iOS users, will result in them receiving a standard SMS message. Whether the iPhone will eventually support Chat is unknown.

Chat is a carrier-based service, and Google has been working to ensure that every carriers’ Chat service plays nicely with each other. Currently, 55 carriers and 11 OEMs worldwide have signed on to support RCS.

While all this sounds good, there is one issue with Chat that could put people off: it lacks end-to-end encryption, meaning messages will be stored on your carrier’s servers. In an age when people are worried about government spying and surveillance, this caveat could see them stick with the likes of WhatsApp and Signal.

Google says that Chat should be available in the US by the end of the year, before rolling out to other locations. As it focuses on Chat, the company is putting development of messaging app Allo on “pause.” The WhatsApp/Messenger rival launched in September 2016, but it hasn’t been as popular as Google anticipated.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/74248-google-wants-replace-sms-chat-rcs-based-messaging.html

 

[Theinsanegamer]

So, it lacks encryption, it uses data (instead of imessage, which works entirely through SMS) and is CARRIER BASED.

Way to throw gasoline onto a fire there google. Care to make it cost $9.99 a month while you're at it, just to complete the dream of a useless app?

 

[p51d007]

Well of course google & carriers would love it if people ditch traditional SMS messaging...it piggybacks
on the signal of the phone, which means it isn't "data" rich. If they could get SMS replaced with something that uses data only, they would be using data for texting/messaging.

 

[Burty117]

So, it lacks encryption, it uses data (instead of imessage, which works entirely through SMS) and is CARRIER BASED.

iMessage also uses data, has nothing to do with SMS. This is essentially an open standard version of iMessage that isn't encrypted, which admittedly is extremely short sighted of them.

Well of course google & carriers would love it if people ditch traditional SMS messaging...it piggybacks
on the signal of the phone, which means it isn't "data" rich. If they could get SMS replaced with something that uses data only, they would be using data for texting/messaging.

Indeed, will my bill go down? Right now I'm paying £20 a month for unlimited calls, 12GB of data and unlimited SMS messages and can use my phone anywhere in the EU. Will my bill drop at all if they remove the need for SMS altogether? I severely doubt it.

 

[antiproduct]

I really want to see this be successful, not because I plan to use it (maybe I will), mostly because I'd like to see pressure put on Apple to release an iMessage client for Windows. Sadly that's the main thing keeping my wife away from moving to a PC. Ok, selfish reason... still... Go google?

 

[bmw95]

While I applaud Google for trying new things, it seems like they can't make up their mind on anything.