Google to make SMS popular again with latest update

RCS would now support features such as group chats and read receipts

Texting is about to get a major upgrade on Android. Google has announced that it is bringing Rich Communications Services (RCS) messaging to Android users to immensely enhance the outdated Short Message Service (SMS) platform.

“Today, we’re taking a significant step towards making RCS messaging universally available to users across the world,” reads a statement on Google's blog.

PHOTO: GOOGLE

For those who aren’t aware, RCS is the next-generation messaging standard that offers features such as multimedia messages, read receipts, and other features and is used by chat apps like WhatsApp and iMessage on iPhones.



Bringing it to Android would immensely increase functionality for the currently very limited SMS protocol. The technology would allow users to have more options while texting that include group chats, the ability to send and receive high-resolution photos, and get read receipts.

PHOTO: GOOGLE

Google is also working with smartphone makers and telecom companies to make the new RCS supported Android Messenger their default messenger. These tech giant is in talks with brands such as mobile device brands LG, Motorola, Sony, HTC, ZTE, Micromax and HMD Global among others.

“We’ll continue to update and improve Android Messages to bring new features enabled through RCS, such as the ability to search and share all types of content and easily access the messages that are most important to you,” says Google.