#Att tmobile android messages rcs apple update#
They did just update their page about their "Advanced Messaging" saying specifically "RCS Universal Profile 1.0 is here"īut the first bit fo text below that says "New Advanced Messaging network standards let you share larger files with more people*" Notice the *. while using the phone stock messaging app.īut none of those things work if the person you're talking to is not on AT&T, not using the stock messaging app that came with their android phone they got from AT&T (as usual unlocked Android phones are second class citizens for no real reason on AT&T). Like read recipts, typing indicators, ability to send much large files/images, better support for group chats etc. The best AT&T has done so far after YEARS of saying RCS is coming is "AT&T Advanced messaging" which gives you some of the RCS features. And are ready to let you enjoy RCS features when talking to anyone else on a network that supports RCS Universal Profile. T-mobile has been the first and so far only US carrier to support RCS universal profile on a network level so all the Android phones they sell have RCS features built into the stock messaging app that comes with the phone. You just got to make sure to go into the settings and turn on "chat features". Just to be clear, you can enjoy RCS features on AT&T, while talking to people on say Verizon but only if you and the people you talk to agree to use the Google Messages app. AT&T has said they "are working on supporting RCS" literally for years. “Messages by Google will be preloaded, starting next year, on all Verizon Android devices,” Verizon said in the announcement.I wouldn't count on it any time soon. Now that all the three big operators have rid themselves of the trouble of building an RCS-based cross-carrier rich messaging solution from ground up, they can instead focus on working with their partners on monetising their direct relationship with their customers. There no sign that Apple will change its stance on RCS any time soon. This means even if there were a cross-carrier RCS platform businesses using the platform would only be able to reach less than half of the American smartphone users. Instead, as Apple always does, it uses its own proprietary (and confusingly named) Messages app as the default bearer for all messages while using FaceTime for video and audio calls between iOS users. On top of the challenges to such syncing efforts, it probably works less well in the US than in most other markets thanks to the iPhone-heavy nature of the American market. While on paper the opportunity is considerable, it needs all operators to sync in their RCS offers to achieve the scale and efficiency. “Google will work with Verizon to provide a robust business-to-consumer messaging ecosystem using RCS,” the announcement said. Verizon duly emphasised the benefits to its business customers through the partnership with Google. “Verizon and Google have been working together on Android since the early days of smartphones, and we’re excited to be working with Verizon today to bring a modern-messaging experience to our users,” added Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google’s senior vice president of Platforms & Ecosystems.Īs this publication has reported, while RCS may be playing catch-up in features versus services like WhatsApp and WeChat, its value to operators lies in serving business customers’ communications needs, the so-called “A2P” (application-to-person) communication, for branding, promotion, customer service, etc. “By working with Google, Verizon will offer our Android users a robust messaging experience that allows them to engage with loved ones, brands and businesses in new and innovative ways.” “Our customers depend on us to provide a reliable, advanced and simple messaging platform to stay in touch with the people that matter the most in their lives,” Ronan Dunne, executive vice president and CEO of Verizon Consumer Group, was quoted in today’s announcement. Now the last of the trinity, Verizon, announced that it is also defaulting to Android Messages for RCS. Soon after CCMI was put to rest, AT&T followed suit by handing over its messaging to Google. Simply called Messages, the app is pre-installed on new Android smartphones in the open market or can be updated on compatible in-market models. Following in the footsteps of T-Mobile and AT&T, the last of America’s “big three” Verizon announced that Android Messages will be the default bearer of its RCS messaging service from next year.Įven before the telcos formally abandoned their joint Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative (CCMI), T-Mobile had already adopted Android’s RCS solution which Google launched late last year.