“Chat” RCS protocol by Google could make Android Messages an iMessage competitor

Yesterday, Dieter Bohn of The Verge got an exclusive update on Google’s next big fix for Android’s messaging mess. That big fix being “Chat.” Google plans on launching “Chat,” the RCS-based iMessage alternative, in the near future; announcing it potentially on stage on May 8th at Google I/O.

Google Allo

Where does this put Google Allo at now? Well, Google says they are “pausing” work on the smart messaging app to put all hands on deck on Android Messages.

Chat

Chat won’t be a direct copy of iMessage. That is, Google won’t force all carriers and smartphone manufacturers to use a “Google service.” Chat is more like a carrier-based, open source service. Yes, that means anyone could play ball with this service, even Apple. However, if you text someone who doesn’t use Android Messages (because choosing a different default messaging app on Android is a thing), doesn’t have Chat enabled by their carrier, or owns an iPhone—who know is Apple will support Chat—your messages will fallback to SMS.

Furthermore, since RCS is still like an upgraded SMS, this means that it won’t be end-to-end encrypted like iMessage is.

Companies that support the RCS Universal Profile as of April 2018. | Photo: GSMA

In the near future, Google, smartphone manufactures, and the mobile carriers will begin to push out Android Messages front-end and back-end updates to bring “Chat” to fruition.

Source: The Verge (1) (2)