Google is updating its Messages app by including new organizing options and multimedia help in a brand new effort to push the RCS protocol.

RCS (Wealthy Communication Service) is a communication normal that goals to interchange the previous SMS (Brief Message Service) protocol.  The extra fashionable normal permits for “richer textual content options,” increased high quality content material, and end-to-end encryption for higher safety, based on Google (opens in new tab). And that’s just about what customers will likely be getting on this replace, although app safety gained’t see any enhancements. 

Google‘s said aim is to “enhance messaging between Android and iOS [devices]” as a number of tech business our bodies have been pushing for widespread RCS adoption. However there’s been one important participant standing in the way in which: Apple, which has refused to undertake the protocol.

New options

Earlier this 12 months, Google Messages bought an replace that enables it to show emoji reactions (opens in new tab) from iPhone customers. This newest batch revolves round serving to folks take care of messy group chats.

Messages will now begin suggesting actions when it detects sure kinds of texts. For instance, the app will recommend pinning texts with vital particulars in them, like addresses or telephone numbers, to maintain higher monitor of them. If it acknowledges a message similar to “Are you able to speak now?”, the app will recommend calling that particular person and floor the Google Meet icon for fast entry.

Reminders will likely be additional built-in into the app, permitting you to set future notices straight from Messages with out opening the rest. And particular person messages could be instantly responded to, both by textual content or emoji, however you will have to first allow RCS.

On the subject of multimedia help, it is extra about making issues extra environment friendly. Audio messages despatched via the app will likely be routinely transcribed because of the brand new Voice Message Transcription characteristic. Google factors out this may be particularly useful when you’re in a crowded area. On prime of that, YouTube movies could be watched inside Messages.

Google additionally talked about it will likely be experimenting with a brand new characteristic in choose international locations. By means of Messages, the characteristic will mean you can communicate on to companies discovered on the Search and Maps apps. We reached out to ask which international locations could have this device. This story will likely be up to date if we hear again. 

The replace will not roll out for one more few weeks, however you may obtain the Messages app straight from the Google Play Retailer (opens in new tab) proper now.

Apple’s determination

It’ll be fascinating to see if these newest Messages app updates immediate Apple to lastly undertake RCS. When requested about this on the Far Out occasion, firm CEO Tim Cook dinner claimed iPhone customers don’t actually care concerning the protocol, so Apple hasn’t seen match to help it. Apparently, sufficient customers don’t thoughts the cross-platform messaging disconnect. Plus you will have choices like WhatsApp on iPhone if folks really need that RCS help.

It isn’t out of the realm of risk, nonetheless. At one level, Apple stated it would not put a USB-C port on iPhones however now they apparently will by 2024 because the European Union signed a legislation forcing them to do that. Granted, there’s no governing physique telling Apple to undertake RCS, however it’s dealing with mounting stress from the business. Even Mark Zuckerberg took a potshot at Apple in a current Instagram submit (opens in new tab) on iMessage’s lack of E2EE.

If you happen to’re thinking about safe messaging, be sure you take a look at TechRadar’s greatest encrypted messaging apps for Android.