Google announced a series of updates for theMessages app, from being able to reply to specific messages in chat to watching YouTube without leaving the app. Many of the possibilities can be activated with the protocollo RCS. Now adopted by almost everyone in the Android world: but not by Apple.
Google announces news for the Messages app
Some of the news that Google has announced for the Messages app doesn’t depend at all on the protocol used for chats. For example the possibility of watch YouTube videos without leaving the app but simply by clicking the link. Also, the app will recognize when there is information about an appointment and will suggest you add it to your calendar.
Others depend on the device. If you have one of the most recent Pixels, a Samsung Galaxy S22, Flip4 or Fold4, you can activate the automatic transcription of voice messages, a very convenient function.
However, many of the more useful functions require the RCS protocol. For example the ability to reply to specific messages: that’s enough swipe to answeras you already do on WhatsApp or Telegram.
You will also be able to chat with businesses that you have found on Google Search or Maps, to request information of any kind from merchants. In the US, Google has even started a partnership for allow you to use them with United aircraft Wi-Fi.
Finally, you can reply with emojis to Messages. But if those on the other side are not using RCS, they will receive a notification like “X replied a heart-shaped emoji to the message”. The same thing that happened when a user replied to an SMS message on iMessage. Bottom line: Google is trying to make it uncomfortable enough to get iPhone users to complain to Apple. Forcing Cupertino to adopt the RCS.
Will it work? Too early to know but Apple doesn’t seem interested at the moment. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments.