Google’s wager on RCS is paying off, or at the least that’s what it needs us to assume. After just a few minor wins, together with Apple quietly confirming RCS support within the subsequent iPhone and formally surpassing 1 billion month-to-month lively customers, Google is celebrating its successes by announcing new options for Messages customers on Android.
I do need an official rely on what number of of these billion customers felt pressured onto the usual as a result of it was the platform’s only option for iMessage-style options. At the least RCS is higher than SMS in myriad methods: there’s no character restrict, it’s encrypted, and it helps you to use emoji reactions for messages, similar to iPhone customers have been in a position to do all this time. It received’t supply the identical advantages whenever you’re messaging with an iPhone person, however that’s simply how the cookie crumbles on this aggressive dual-platform society.
Right here’s the lowdown on the enjoyable options coming to Google Messages for Android: Photomoji helps you to make emoji reactions for messages from an image in your telephone. I fear concerning the shenanigans that might come from this sort of characteristic. Google doesn’t point out how the Photomoji shows between RCS customers and iOS. Voice moods, introduced as part of a extra important rollout that features updates to Put on OS, add artwork to your voice message to offer the particular person on the opposite finish a heads up on the vibe earlier than they tune in.
The bitrate and sampling price of voice messages have additionally improved between RCS customers, so indignant rants will probably be loud and clear. Since RCS is about wealthy communication, Google added Display screen Results, which characteristic “vibrant animations” whenever you sort oft-used phrases like “I really like you.” Google says there are about 15 Display screen Results immediate phrases to unlock.
A few of the further options are plucked from different platforms. Animated emojis, as an illustration, exist on social media and elsewhere, and Profiles sounds just like the equal of swapping iOS’s verified Contact Cards. Talking of the iPhone, Customized Bubbles helps you to change the colour and background of your conversations. The concept is that there’s now not a blue versus inexperienced bubble battle. But it surely’s unclear if iPhone customers will see this coloration change, so it received’t do a lot to repair the inexperienced bubble debate.
Certain, this looks like a sport of catchup to different messaging apps, however Android customers want the win. Maybe Google additionally needed to increase the occasion after Apple’s reluctant acquiescence. It’s extra enjoyable to make this appear to be a Cleaning soap Opera drama as an alternative of 1 firm maintaining its dominance by a proprietary normal.
The brand new Google Messages options will ultimately roll out to all RCS customers however have began rolling out to beta customers first. You’ll must sign up to get in on the motion earlier than everybody else.
