Google has recently signed with 27 more carriers and device manufacturers on to its list of partners worldwide, to launch RCS, an enhanced native messaging service for Android users.
RCS - > Rich Communications Services
Google plans to stay in the Messaging Market in the future. Ever since Google acquired Jibe Mobile, deploying RCS for Android was right around the corner. Now Google wants RCS to replace SMS as the conventional messaging app (formerly known as Messenger) on Android devices.
RCS Enhanced Features
Added dynamic features like Group chats, High-Resolution photo sharing, Read Receipts and Typing Indicators should definitely make it better than the native SMS chat app.
Partners in the Game
Carrier Networks
Earlier this month, Google announced that it partnered with Sprint, Rogers, Telenor. Now it has partnered with Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom and Globe.
Message across Networks
These carriers will now support RCS messaging powered by the Jibe RCS cloud from Google and will be interconnected through the Jibe RCS hub in order to ensure that RCS messages get delivered to subscribers across carrier networks.
Device manufacturers
LG, Motorola, Sony, HTC, ZTE, Micromax, Nokia, Archos, BQ, Cherry Mobile, Condor, Fly, General Mobile, Lanix, LeEco, Lava, Kyocera, MyPhone, QMobile, Symphony and Wiko, in addition to Google’s own Pixel and Android One handsets will be preloading Android Messages on new devices to replace the current, standard Messages app.
Other & Older Android devices
For those handsets already in the market on those carrier networks, users would need to download the new app in an update. Google says it is working with more mobile handset makers to make Android Messages the default messaging app for Android devices.
With the above mentioned partnership in place,
the total number of subscribers potentially covered by Android Messages is about 1 billion globally.