Google Enables RCS on All Devices running Google Messages (US)

[iKingRPG]

I couldn't find anyone else posted this, so here.

RCS is the SMS replacement made by Google that allows for things such as read reciepts, see when people are typing, work over wifi/data, and higher attachment sizes, so wayy better pictures.

Anyway google announched RCS, or "Chat" almost 2 years ago. But US carriers were stupid and only supported it on not even a handful of phones, so google took over and said "screw the carriers" and rolled it out without their help.

If it doesnt work, there is a work around where you find a secret menu and enable RCS.

This is huge for the US, as many people use SMS or imessage as their main messaging.

so the picture quality is a hugee difference,

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR-69amde6Q

Disclaimer, it is my video. It is not monetized

Sources: https://www.droid-life.com/2019/11/14/google-is-done-waiting-for-carriers-rolls-out-rcs-in-messages-today/

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/11/google-to-roll-out-rcs-messaging-to-us-android-devices/

RCS work around: https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/10/31/screw-your-carrier-heres-how-to-enable-rcs-in-the-messages-app-yourself-right-now/?amp

 

[hobobobo]

Sooooooo, android imessage, finally?

[ARikozuM]

Isn't this iMessage? Hell, even Skype has it. 

[TetraSky]

Hell it's about time. Can't wait for it to be available in Canada and for everyone to be on it.
I just hope it's retro compatible with regular SMS for those who don't have an updated device and that carriers stop being jerks about it.

[Ashley MLP Fangirl]

tHeY cOpIeD aPpLe ReEe

[FloRolf]

Why do people even care when whatsapp is a thing? 

Here in Germany quite literally everyone uses that. 

[Sauron]

53 minutes ago, FloRolf said:

Why do people even care when whatsapp is a thing? 

Here in Germany quite literally everyone uses that. 

Even though they should be using Telegram, which is objectively superior in every way

[vanished]

More proprietary garbage we don't need.  Who is still using text messages for primary communication?  And let me guess, this won't support Apple devices just like iMessage doesn't support Android?  Can people please just wake up and pick up Telegram or one of the dozen things like it already that has offered this and more for years already and is completely platform agnostic, even on desktop devices?

[Mihle]

5 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

More proprietary garbage we don't need.  Who is still using text messages for primary communication?  And let me guess, this won't support Apple devices just like iMessage doesn't support Android?  Can people please just wake up and pick up Telegram or one of the dozen things like it already that has offered this and more for years already and is completely platform agnostic, even on desktop devices?

Sadly, In my country and my friends the only other thing people use is Facebook messenger, an no way I am touching that even with a glove on.... so SMS it is.
(other than my online friends, they only use Discord)

[Commodus]

1 hour ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

More proprietary garbage we don't need.  Who is still using text messages for primary communication?  And let me guess, this won't support Apple devices just like iMessage doesn't support Android?  Can people please just wake up and pick up Telegram or one of the dozen things like it already that has offered this and more for years already and is completely platform agnostic, even on desktop devices?

RCS is a carrier- and device-agnostic format, it's just that Google can only reliably distribute it through Android Messages (since it doesn't control OEMs' proprietary apps).  If it doesn't reach iOS devices that will be due to Apple.

 

With that said, RCS frequently feels like a textbook example of why you don't let carriers develop services.  It took years to gain any significant support (I remember hearing about this ages ago), it requires a patchwork of support... and did I mention it's not encrypted?  I'm glad it's here, but Apple had RCS' core features and encryption several years ago.

[vanished]

2 minutes ago, Commodus said:

RCS is a carrier- and device-agnostic format, it's just that Google can only reliably distribute it through Android Messages (since it doesn't control OEMs' proprietary apps).  If it doesn't reach iOS devices that will be due to Apple.

 

With that said, RCS frequently feels like a textbook example of why you don't let carriers develop services.  It took years to gain any significant support (I remember hearing about this ages ago), it requires a patchwork of support... and did I mention it's not encrypted?  I'm glad it's here, but Apple had RCS' core features and encryption several years ago.

Good to know, but yeah, better options have been available for a long time already

[bcredeur97]

nice. I hope we end up with a standard replacement for all platforms.

[avg123]

Most smartphones dont ship with android messages unfortunately. Every brand has their own messaging app. 

[captain_to_fire]

7 hours ago, FloRolf said:

Why do people even care when whatsapp is a thing? 

Backdoors. Facebook may not admit it but I have high suspicions that those backdoors are deliberate. 

[amdorintel]

4 minutes ago, captain_to_fire said:

Backdoors. Facebook may not admit it but I have high suspicions that those backdoors are deliberate. 

i agree with you there

 

they will do anything to make a buck off your info

[RejZoR]

So, is all this shit routed through Google now? Coz if it is, then fuck no, I rather stay on fucking plain text SMS...

[Mihle]

I hope you can choose to not send your SMS through Google and wait for you're ISP to support it so it goes through them instead.

[mr moose]

10 hours ago, FloRolf said:

Why do people even care when whatsapp is a thing? 

Here in Germany quite literally everyone uses that. 

I personally hate it when a single message service gets popular to that point.  It effectively means regardless of how good or bad that app is because it is the standard as defined by usage numbers it is very hard to get people to use something that might be better/cheaper/more secure.   I enjoy the fact many people in my community refuse to use facebook, but I also lament that when a good app comes along (like team app for the sporting clubs) no one wants to use it.

 

 

9 hours ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

Who is still using text messages for primary communication?

 

 

Many still uses sms over other message services, it is the only one you can be guaranteed everyone has.  You own a phone you have sms.

[vanished]

Just now, mr moose said:

Many still uses sms over other message services, it is the only one you can be guaranteed everyone has.  You own a phone you have sms.

Yes it has its place as a baseline service people can communicate with when it's a first time or once in a blue moon situation, and I don't think that will or should go away any time soon.  I'm talking about "primary messaging", as in a daily driver method you use with people you communicate with regularly.  If you talk regularly with someone there's really no reason to not already be on an app that's vastly better in every way.

[mr moose]

4 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

Yes it has its place as a baseline service people can communicate with when it's a first time or once in a blue moon situation, and I don't think that will or should go away any time soon.  I'm talking about "primary messaging", as in a daily driver method you use with people you communicate with regularly.  If you talk regularly with someone there's really no reason to not already be on an app that's vastly better in every way.

 

Our footy club uses SMS as the primary communication because there isn't another service that everyone else uses.    Getting 500 people to sub up to a messenger service just doesn't happen.  Even facebook isn't used by a good quarter of our members.

[vanished]

2 minutes ago, mr moose said:

Our footy club uses SMS as the primary communication because there isn't another service that everyone else uses.    Getting 500 people to sub up to a messenger service just doesn't happen.  Even facebook isn't used by a good quarter of our members.

Wow, that's a huge group and not the kind of thing I was thinking about, but frankly it seems like that more than anything is the exact situation where an app is necessary.  I can't imagine how you can possibly keep 500 people together over SMS.  Does everyone just reply all and blast the whole group?  That sounds horrible, but if they don't, then someone's missing out.  I know of groups with only 4 people that constantly split off into side chats and experience other issues because they try to use SMS and don't know what they're doing, never mind 500.

[mr moose]

7 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

Wow, that's a huge group and not the kind of thing I was thinking about, but frankly it seems like that more than anything is the exact situation where an app is necessary.  I can't imagine how you can possibly keep 500 people together over SMS.  Does everyone just reply all and blast the whole group?  That sounds horrible, but if they don't, then someone's missing out.  I know of groups with only 4 people that constantly split off into side chats and experience other issues because they try to use SMS and don't know what they're doing, never mind 500.

We have several different people who take charge of dispersing information over smaller groups, It is the only way we can guarantee that people get the message.  We have tried many other apps and options,  even just plain old email but people still missed notices.    It is shit and definitely annoying.  Especially when there are apps out their like team app that if everyone just signed up to we could literally halve the amount of work our volunteer managers/coaches have to do.  

 

 

I remember replying to a group sms with "thanks for that",  and it went to everyone,  so someone who didn't have my number got a random sms thanking them, it was amusing for us but demonstrative of the issues involved in using such a basic messaging service.

[kirashi]

10 hours ago, Sauron said:

Even though they should be using Telegram, which is objectively superior in every way

Um I mean, a custom compiled version of Signal is superior, but sure. Use a third party service you can't verify the authenticity of.

[LogicalDrm]

@iKingRPG

This thread has been moved to General Discussion. Please edit OP to fit Tech News requirements and report it to the staff so we can move it back.

[Sauron]

3 hours ago, kirashi said:

Um I mean, a custom compiled version of Signal is superior, but sure. Use a third party service you can't verify the authenticity of.

Telegram is superior to Whatsapp, I didn't say anything about Signal.

 

But I will say that asking most people to compile their own messaging app is not reasonable. I'm also not exclusively talking about privacy here (not that Telegram has bad privacy options); Telegram is an extremely complete platform with a bunch of well integrated features.

 

The Telegram client is also completely open source, so you can check the encryption implementation yourself in case you're not convinced, and I tend to trust non profit organizations more than megacorps like Facebook.