Google's messaging MESS explained: RCS, SMS + more!

[@pranavyedlapalli2127]

The one advantage that rcs has is that it works on multiple apps (google messages, samsung messages etc). So most of us already have rcs enabled on our default messaging app, they just don't know yet because google sucks at marketting.

[@JoeNokers]

I think the biggest issue is that manufacturers dont enable the dam thing out of the box. There is no reason that samsung messages shouldnt just work using rcs as soon as you put a sim in, but samsung make you find it in a hidden menu. Most others dont even have rcs in the default messaging app.

[@Blessindisguise]

@@JoeNokers whoa i didn't know that! I thought it was on by default! Hmm Thats odd.

[@BAOUZIZI]

Samsung message still depends on the carrier. some have full RCS other is just read receipt and typing indicators. When you go to settings, it'll have a separate option for RCS under more options. Some won't have that option

[@MaxSmolev]

On two apps. Not "multiple". You _have_ to use Google Messages or Samsung Messages. Textra? Any other texting app? Nope, API is not available (and not planned to be in any near future). Phone too old for newer Android version? No RCS for you. So it's kinda half-assed, as usual. But hey, GPay now has own messaging service too! Yay...

[@allonlfloyd]

@@BAOUZIZI where can I find this setting bro

[@rph_redacted]

Idk why they couldn't just update hangouts, it was literally perfect. I blame google for this problem, they can't commit to their projects and instead of updating and improving services they just kill them and launch new ones. RCS is miles behind iMessage or telegram or even WhatsApp, so i don't even wanna support this RCS fight with Apple.

[@Angel_Peg]

I agree just update hangouts will have work with good marketing

[@JeskidoYT]

Probably hangouts was frowned upon from google+ days. I don't blame them really

[@pineapplesauce7499]

It's like they ended Hangouts but then replaced it with something else even worse (RCS). RCS/Google messages doesn't even have good multi device support.

[@benjmiester]

The bigger problem is most of their attempts get unused and made fun of for not being as good as whatever Apple has so they just go unused enough to keep up with. It's really the people's fault. If these apps were so popular they'd keep them going. Android doesn't get cancelled. Gmail doesn't get cancelled. KZbin doesn't get cancelled. What's the difference? Millions of users!!

[@charlzincharge2281]

I agree it gets confusing

[@darkchoclate]

I remember using allo chat to talk to my gf when everyone else was using WhatsApp, cause we liked to be different from others... I really really enjoyed using it, and was hit when got the popup that it gonna be discontinued...

[@fabrislemos]

That's EXACTLY what happened to me and my girlfriend. I loved Allo.

[@Daveoo]

I never had a girlfriend

[@Dan-rt6bc]

@@Daveoo hah same.

[@28Justchecking]

Allo was the best messaging app that it existed and exist

[@riggi_]

I did the same 😬

[@b787sotelo]

I've been an Android user since 2011. I switched from an iPhone 4 to the Nexus 4 and have been with Android ever since. I personally don't care for iMessage or any of it's features, nor do I care for it to come over to Android or for Google to release a competing version. However Google has no reason to cry, they messed up years ago with their pathetic attempt at messaging. RCS is ok, but has yet to be adopted in the US. The people i text on Android usually don't have RCS turned on, so mostly everything gets sent via SMS/MMS.

[@rafikz77]

Agreed

[@cw7886]

RCS is actually a big step forward. I've seen older people with new phones now using RCS messages instead of MMS to send photos without knowing it. As soon as all manufacturers implement it in their own messaging apps then it's done deal. iphones remain in minority around the world, so it means RCS messaging could become quickly dominant among the population not using whatsapp, if not already. Google Messages feels also more advanced that Samsung Messages, but there's still work to do to get closer to Whatsapp.

[@its_thomas]

honestly, I could care less about having a green bubble. all I want is to be able send photos and videos without them looking like they were taken on a potato (regardless of the device being Android or iOS)

[@BetaCypher]

same, honestly just wish iMessages adopted RCS tech

[@Angel_Peg]

For that to happen u need rcs

[@ianhandsup]

Even though I get that Google has had a bad history, I don't get how that matters right now. RCS is great for what it does and I believe that Apple should add it as it would fix so many problems. Not to mention that Google is planning on features for RCS already and hopefully more will come soon.

[@francisbedard6514]

Something that seems to be always be forgotten in these video/article about RCS is that Samsung message is supposed to already support RCS. Also RCS add features to already existing app without having to change or have to onboard other users to change app like signals or WhatsApp.

[@Angel_Peg]

Yes but on my tmobile s21 plus rcs is not on the samsung messaging app I have to use Google messenger

[@JoeNokers]

Whilst it does have RCS capabilities, its disabled by default, which means that your parents etc are not going to have it enabled.

[@bobbysworldrox]

I have Google messages and i cannot text my firends with Samsung phones via RCS. It defaults to standard text an vice versa. Or sometimes it'll only allow me to see read receipts but won't show typing indicator. It's not consistent

[@perimiter]

@@bobbysworldrox did they enable RCS in the app? its usually off for samsung users by default.

[@bobbysworldrox]

@@perimiter both on

[@ccroy2001]

I've never quite understood the whole messaging controversy. My family has a group text and we have a mix of Android and iPhone users. If I send a text or a photo from my Pixel everyone sees it. If my nephew does the same from his iPhone we all see it. What are people doing beyond text, emojis, and photos that requires a more robust solution?

[@volcalstone]

This goes beyond just pictures. iMessage and RCS let's you send bigger files then the limits of what current SMS/MMS does. Pictures will look even better too as if it was sent via email. It won't be compressed whatsoever. Videos will be sharp and not blurry as you could send better quality videos which could be longer in length as well. Nothing will be compressed period. Try sending a long video on Android to your iPhone friends and it will be a blurry mess and vice versa.

[@ccroy2001]

@@volcalstone thanks I guess we're just not that fancy a bunch lol!

[@androidterminal3924]

Are you using whatsapp?

[@PeanutBreathing]

In the US, there is a sense of judgement with the green bubble too. It's created a lot of controversy and I do think that's also partly the reason besides multimedia.

[@oneminutewonder77]

Most normal users really don't care all that much so long as it works. It's kind of why the iPhone is so popular in the USA. Other than the fact that a lot of the younger generation sees them as a sort of status symbol. Yeah some people send videos through messages, but really even that is not a huge majority of people. It's why Snapchat is so popular, that is the primary app the younger generation are using is because they can send quick videos to their friends and then they disappear. The quality isn't even the biggest deal for most. It's convenience and whether the app works or not.

[@onlymuchemi]

Google should not use apple's success in implementing message as an excuse for their own failures in rcs messaging. Which for instance in my home country Kenya, will not work with some carriers , while message works seamlessly.

[@ijclnl48]

The issue with RCS is it's carrier dependent. It requires a phone number so it already is behind iMessage for that reason alone. They need to break ties with the carriers

[@blueciffer1653]

they could easily do that.

[@Zhivko87]

Google fails in multiple situations only because they just were not doing marketing good enough. Even with the announcement of Android 12, which is a huge change, they've focused only on material theming on the Keynote, instead of showing every new feature. They also get into explaining technological stuff too much, instead of focusing on consumer's stuff. This is why Apple succeeds in terms of user satisfaction so much. They dont focus on used technologies , instead they demonstrate and mention each small change they implement, making customers feel worthy and getting them hyped. The very first good marketing I saw from Google were the Pixel 6 series. I really hope they are going to continue the trend. About that messaging stuff-I really do believe RCS is the best way for consumers to get in touch with each other. As you say in the video, its something which comes out of the box and users don't have to bother and do something else. Its just that its not advertised well, and most people don't understand it, don't know what features its has, that its free, etc... I mean...look at Apple devices again. If you dont enable iMessage when setting up your device in the beginning, you're going to be bugged with annoying popups telling you to enable it very often.

[@R1ch4rd]

Потому что в основном Apple для ламеров, а Android более для tech people

[@AbidKhan-lr5wb]

The RCS chat by google is fantastic but it has got a main flaw which is the following: In apple imessage, if you send a message and the recepient is offline, very quickly the system will figure this out and deliver the message as standart text message rather than imessage. BUT in case of google RCS chat, when you send a message and the recepient is offline, google system will take many many minutes to deliver that message as standard message rather than chat message.You can manually change to the standard text message from chat message but this defeats the whole purpose of google messages chat... SO THIS IS THE MAJOR FLAW THAT GOOGLE NEEDS TO FIX IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!! End to end encryption is now live from an individual to individual but not in the groups but hopefully it will land there as well...thanks.

[@SmartAlx]

That's not Google's problem. It's Apple's fault for using a proprietary tech instead of the universal standard.

[@ChadH2023]

RCS works flawless if both people have it. 2022 this should be the standard.

[@chris122380]

If RCS, SMS, and MMS was added to Allo then it likely would have been more successful. The problem with RCS and Google is that it's still limited to Google Messages app. No third party RCS app support. So no RCS in Signal, Whatsapp, Facebook messenger etc. The problem is there are too many messengering apps and I don't want or like being required to have each app to talk to friends or family. There needs to be one standard across all messaging apps so that the app you use wouldn't matter.

[@robezy0]

The thing is that RCS could work on everyone's pre-installed messaging app which means you wouldn't need any third party app anymore. So even if your friends/family would still primarily use other apps, you could still chat with them using RCS. Pixel and Samsung users can already chat together with E2E encryption without installing anything

[@chris122380]

@@robezy0 the problem is there are already so many messaging apps that people prefer to use but can't because RCS is restricted to Samsung and Google messages. If different messaging platforms would quit trying to compete to rule them all and use a standard then they'd all be able to communicate to each other and you'd likely keep your existing users instead of having them jump ship to whatever the next great messaging app is. It's not always about the pre-installed apps the reason people leave them is because they're terrible.

[@robezy0]

@@chris122380 Well it would be nice but getting tech giants to work together doesn't seem realistic. I think 95% of people don't really care about their messaging app that much, they just don't use the standard app because they're just for outdated SMS nowadays

[@chris122380]

@@robezy0 they don't use the standard apps because they don't do what people want them to do. The reason SMS is archaic is because there's not a standard between all the messaging apps to replace it. Instead big business is so greedy that it will be there downfall. Try convincing your friends to change messaging apps or to install half a dozen on their phone (so they can communicate with all there friends, no one likes that). It's why iMessage is so popular on Apple is because it's the default and it works with other iPhone users and backward compatible with Android users (SMS). Only signal on Android can even compare but it's not the default app. If iMessage actually came to Android it likely would crush all other messaging platforms.

[@robezy0]

@@chris122380 But that's what I mean. RCS would allow default messaging apps on Android to do what people want them to again. Nobody cares about Whatsapp Statuses etc. As long as they can safely chat by data and have group capability.

[@Gary0557]

I prefer to use the Google messaging and phone apps on my Samsung.

[@lollymanna]

Get a pixel. Then you can use only googke apps. Samsung fans can stick to samsung phones and apps.

[@Gary0557]

@@lollymanna Google phone app still identifies and blocks spam on my Samsung.

[@lollymanna]

@@Gary0557 I know. I just prefer the look of samsung apps in general. It,s all about preference. In fact, a lot of samsung users buy samsung phones because of the look of samsung apps. Samsung stopped shipping the samsung email app but I love the look of the app. They replaced samsung email with outlook but you can still download samsung email from the app store or the galaxy store. Gopgle apps temd to have a bit more features built into them but that can make their apps feel confusing to the average Joe. Even apple,s apps are starting to look confusing. I do wish samsung adds spam in their phone app though. I have tried using the Google messages app but it just looks weird to me.

[@lollymanna]

@@Gary0557 Samsung apps generally tend to be very minimalistic compared to apple, google or Microsoft apps.

[@Gary0557]

@@lollymanna personally I don’t care about how an app looks, I care about functionality.

[@AarronS]

Google is a mess. They have all these smart people , but they don't know how to manage them. There is never anything you can count on from Google products or customer service.

[@willowdemetriou]

I think the problem Google has is that developer teams are too separate from each other

[@Blessindisguise]

iMessage is literally whatsapp or facebook messenger built into your phone as the primary messaging thing. And what makes that powerful? Like he said it uses over the internet. RCS is now "On" by default on google messages and Samsung messages. So, Google messages should be the default messaging app for all non samsung phones.. and if the user wants to change that there should be an alert of how they'll loose many RSC features and examples of how that would be. Its the only way. Apple won't budge because an iphone without iMessage advantage is finished.

[@Anilu777]

As a Canadian iPhone user I use iMessage for anyone with an iPhone and try to find a third party app for Android users. It’s a mess as not everyone likes the same app. WhatsApp isn’t as prevalent here so I’ve made it only for work (helps the work-life balance). I wish Apple would add RCS to Messages just like SMS is and then I could get rid of the extra apps altogether.

[@rafikz77]

I was in Spain this summer and everyone there including other European tourists use Whatsapp. It’s cross platform so if you want to switch to Android it’s seamless, and it makes it easy for them to connect with other europeans. Businesses there also use Whatsapp, I had to change the date to a trip to Alhambra and didn’t feel like talking on the phone that day, I just messaged their Whatsapp customer service number, instant reply - from a human being, not a bot (I’m looking at you, Air Transat) - and he re-scheduled my trip immediately. Easy peasy

[@javiazar]

It's crazy how Apple got this right from the beginning and Google is still trying to figure it out 10 years later... How many messaging apps has Google tried and axed? 20? Holy shit...

[@benjmiester]

There's nothing they did wrong with theirs. People just weren't using them. Apple always has the built in advantage of forcing everybody in to one single lane. It works pretty well for stuff like this. As long as we understand it's not some brilliant thing they chose. It's just the mere fact that they can launch one new app and that's the one single choice for every single person on their platform worldwide overnight in an instant. It's quite an advantage for situations like that. It's very monopolistic too but that's allowable for now. Google has to contend with dozens of competitors every time they launch something.

[@javiazar]

@@benjmiester What do you mean Apple had the advantage and Google didn't? Google had the exact same advantage... if you make Android, just force every phone manufacturer to make the Google Messaging app the default SMS app and don't allow them access to the Google Play store if they don't comply or they try to pre-load their own bullshit app.

[@_chan.burn.21_]

@@javiazar Yeah, but then a ton of other Android OEMs would likely sue the shit out of Google. Something similar to this happened with Chrome and the Google search browser, even the literal EU fined them $5 billion over this. It's just the nature of the beast really considering Android is an open-source platform unlike iOS; I'm not saying Google doesn't have the right to do it, but these are the results of when they do unfortunately.

[@BoltRM]

Developers are also afraid to spend a year or so on a platform Google will just cancel in 3 yrs.

[@benjmiester]

@@javiazar What do you mean what do I mean lol? Google doesn't make the phones. There are hundreds of different phones from dozens of brands that come preloaded with all sorts of apps. They only make the core OS and it's licensed out. Apps that come loaded are controlled by Samsung, HTC, LG, Motorola, Xiaomi, OnePlus etc. Apple controls what comes loaded on an Iphone and that's it, 100% control.

[@nolanhutwelker]

Lol no casual users in the us wants to download a bunch of apps to message people, rcs should be opened up to developers to integrate into any messaging app. That could look like, signal having SMS and RCS, and/or WhatsApp having SMS and RCS. For iPhone users, the benefit is better group messaging with people around you without having to download a hundred apps Just to communicate with people around you. This also has a bunch of business benefits such on integrating Google maps, Apple maps, Bing maps into one central messaging platform for businesses So that they can send rich messaging no matter the platform. Thus bringing larger revenue streams to Google and Apple.

[@rhbx1752]

If you knew how many times I wanted to go back to android but that messaging mess is a problem when you are part of a chat group at work. Not everyone wants to use WhatsApp or alternative. Also be able to text from a tablet/computer is a must nowadays. Hope they can fix it soon so I can move on from the IPhone.

[@fegodev]

Google should stick to Google messages and get rid of all the other messaging apps.

[@ademarcel]

Samsung Message App itself has RCS feature, and I think this more convenient then you have to install Whatsapp or telegram, etc. Because you doesn't need to install another app to send text or else just with RCS feature

[@aes1373]

In North America I can see this being an issue for Google, since Apple's iMessage is very dominant there amongst iOS users. But anywhere else, especially in Europe, WhatsApp and Telegram dominate both Apple and Googles attempts.

[@TonyP_Yes-its-Me]

It doesn't help that every phone manufacturer seems to have their own messaging app. Perhaps they are just rebranded versions of Google, I don't know, but when people change phones, they have yet another app to figure out. I actually use three different messaging apps, depending who I'm talking to. Google messages, FB Messenger, and WhatsApp.

[@oneminutewonder77]

For me the RCS features are sort of meh, I enjoy higher quality photos I guess...but other than that I hate read receipts (I know you can turn them off) and you kind of lose any and all customization with the app when everyone has to use the same app to have the feature. The even bigger thing for me is that Google messages has just become buggy. Conversations even in Pixel devices open with a giant spot where the keyboard is supposed to go from time to time. Chat bubbles and buggy and sometimes don't format correctly, iMessage is exactly what people want minus customization. It just works.

[@JonSuejoj]

Apparently your pixel has a bug, mine is working just fine.

[@julianpottermusic]

@@JonSuejoj mine's fine too

[@seraphicconfidence6505]

Here are the choices 1. Apple incorporates RCS to iMessage 2. People in the US switch to WhatsApp and stop waiting for apple & Google to fix our problems. 3. Keep using SMS and continue crying about it 4. Everyone drop android and get iphones 5. Everyone drop iphones and get android.

[@uponpaul]

Really funny, it is true except that your 4th option is a joke. You say everyone drop android and get iphones, first of all get iOS then, but okay. and second of all, everyone can just drop iphones and buy android... I assume you use iOS otherwise you would see that this answer is iOS focused.

[@seraphicconfidence6505]

@@uponpaul I added a 5th option… happy!

[@tofu_golem]

Apple didn't nail messaging because it only works with other Apple products.

[@matthewsjardine]

It also didn’t help Allo that Apple did their large iMessage feature overhaul in iOS 10 that year. Comparatively, Allo’s features were not as impressive. I remember coverage like “iMessage in iOS 10 vs Google Allo”. It wasn’t favourable toward Google’s offering.

[@TheArchBishop]

They should have just pushed through with Allo. it was so close. It just needed sms and multi device support. A dummy could have implemented this. I hate to say it but Android (as a whole) is a mess and I can see why Google is in a rush to wash their hands clean off it.

[@kingscres]

Just my own experience (in Australia) now it’s 2 years later. All the android users I message seem to be using RCS. I’m one of 5 siblings (all older age group) and my sister is the only one with an iPhone. She is the one who doesn’t understand why she’s still stuck on SMS messaging when chatting with us.

[@DipayanGhosh]

Something I am curious about is why google removed the google search from the gboard, wasnt gboard supposed to be the keyboard that had google search built into it ?

[@Br_KN]

They probably want us to use other shortcuts to search while typing, like long pressing the home button or swiping up from down corner of the screen.

[@DipayanGhosh]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpvCamSkqdSca5I this was their introductory video and I really see the utility in the advertisement.

[@donavanboykin9489]

I really wish they would figure it out!

[@RMeeStudios]

I never would have seen it coming when he included stuff like Stadia chat and KZbin messaging. Such failed messaging apps. SMH.

[@MegasXLR]

I'll never understand the craze with iMessage. There's Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, etc on all platforms. What's the big deal if one messenger isn't available on Android lol

[@rafikz77]

imessage is built in and is more secure than the other platforms

[@RituRaj9630]

They can try to attact WhatsApp users on its platform. They will have the advantage of seamless switch between sms users and data users. It's nativity to Android will be an advantage in terms of data storage, syncing sms, etc.

[@Cleisthenes607]

Just rip off iMessage, that's all they have to do and not give up on it. I want the ability to lock messages to a profile not a phone number so I can get messages across devices.

[@4nupam]

Allo was ❤, Google should have stuck to it. Loved KZbin chat as well, one place to share with friends & discuss about them rather than sharing to other apps.

[@Borednerds]

I want universal messaging solution with peer to peer encryption, original quality photo and video transmission, video chat and no more green or blue boxes. Single high quality experience with a phone no matter what platform I chose to use.

[@byazrov]

Google is a mess in everything. It is after all is the Google's signature feature - to screw everything up. Look at KZbin. It's just plain awful. Each new update makes it worse and worse. Content is awesome but how Google handles it is a pain to every user.

[@mattmatti3525]

I had to go through some loopholes just to activate RCS on my phone. Plus when I had a temporary number the service got confused and linked it to a different Google account. So I was texting through a number didn't own anymore through RCS. I had to figure out how to unlink it, which was annoying

[@ashirafk6245]

Hangouts was OK until Google screwed it up !!

[@Max86421]

Apple using IOS and the Apple watch to lockdown their customers forever 🤣

[@jaywright9635]

I like being locked down with iOS and Apple products. Reliability and great build quality.

[@Max86421]

@@jaywright9635 Apple know how to take money from you

[@benjmiester]

That iPrison is real.

[@jd-9]

Google should open the RCS API so that other manufacturers or carriers can implement it in their apps

[@jd-9]

@@techdictator9116 That's one of the reasons why I hate Apple. IK GSMA is behind RCS open standard. But, Jibe and Google should help others like Oppo, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Sony, etc... to implement chat features in to their own messaging apps. 95% of people use the "default" messaging app. So when a person buy a new phone regardless of the manufacturer, they have chat features. All they need is a SIM and that's it. Google is so slow... Slower than a snail. 🐌

[@jd-9]

@@techdictator9116 Yeah, my Xperia has Google Messages. So, most if not all, Android phones will get RCS. But it won't be cross platform because Apple wouldn't support RCS, would they? 🙄

[@jd-9]

@@techdictator9116 Some guy on Reddit says that Apple is now talking with US carriers to support RCS (rumor)

[@midnightwaterdragon4725]

In my experience rcs is soooo unreliable. Messages don't send all the time and it seems like the servers go down for hours at a time. I have to switch back to sms often. And I don't get messages from friends cuz they didn't realize their msg didn't go thru. It's a mess.

[@jahidsarkar3768]

So in india, a country with over 130M people, whatsapp is insanely popular. And I don't think there is anything wrong with it. There were some shady controversies about whatsapp encryptions and also fact remains that whatsapp conversations have often leaked to the media multiple times is a major, major drawback. But still, people have been using WhatsApp for almost a decade now and you can say, whatsapp is the default messaging service here. You won't, absolutely won't find a single smartphone here that doesn't have WhatsApp unless the person intentionally chose not to.

[@sdfjsd]

Back in the day, why didn't Google make Hangouts or Google Talk the default messaging app on Android?

[@robstevenson6842]

I loved BBM..... I would like to see all Android phones adopt stock Google messaging app.

[@erick-gd7wo]

By today 2022, any Google made messaging app will sounds 0ike a tragic comedy. I am not sure RCS will prevail after 4 years

[@edisjd]

To be fair I think it's completely wrong to add messaging features that are in other apps as actual stand alone messaging apps, very different.

[@jscottupton]

I don't mind 2 or 3 different apps for messages. For my family the standard is Whatsapp. But I often use google texting/regular texting. Kakao is another app that I sometimes use.

[@MrSamPhoenix]

Well, Google doesn’t have a good track record overall. First off, they’re an ad company 1st! So the end-to-end encryption doesn’t make me feel safe. Secondly, why are they trying so hard to force the fruit company into what amounts to their platform?

[@theshadowdirector]

SMS is now so worthless over here that Networks are all too happy to just throw in unlimited texts like it's nothing. Been great for WhatsApp through that's been able to fill that cross platform void.

[@kyb7795]

"If first you don't succeed" .... Google

[@benjmiester]

Heh.... try try try, try, try, try, try, try..... try..... try again!

[@Shamshir_Shaikh]

How many numbers or contacts can be added in RCS group ?

[@Kevynmorgan]

Wait you mean to tell me Duo is kicking the bucket soon... Yikes

[@vishnutejapernapati2094]

I know this is a bizzarre idea. But what if google partnered with Meta and made whatsapp as the default messaging on android? Whatsapp will come pre installed on phones and if there's no internet, it'll fall back on RCS SMS. Since whatsapp is already a huge hit, it'll be easier for new comers to come on board.

[@TheArchBishop]

I hate WhatsApp and don't like the idea of meta looking into my SMSes from my bank. Giving Meta system level access as a default app is the worst possible thing

[@benjmiester]

I'd feel safer if they just bought it from them. I don't want Meta anywhere near my anything. I do like their messenger though. It does work quite well, so I see where you're going with that. Like the mechanics are worth chasing.

[@kenroyforrester156]

Y'all sound like your criminals and hiding Stuff. We still are getting watched no matter what

[@benjmiester]

@@kenroyforrester156 Well if that was the concern, we'd already be exposed and busted because we're being watched either way. The worry with Meta is about what they'll do with our info. That's ironically completely backwards lol. Not that Google is all that trustworthy either but they won't use it to deepfake us, break societies, destroy democracies etc. At least they haven't yet.... Facebook aka Meta has.

[@kenroyforrester156]

@@benjmiester that's what I'm trying to say we are being watch either way

[@kunalkene]

I loved "Inbox" they killed it for GMAIL, I loved "Allo" they killed it, I wouldn't suggent any new google product to anyone, because google does not dedicatedly work on it. They start and kill so many services. Not worth getting into that ecosystem.

[@MatthewTsang]

Nope, RCS is not available to all android users on the planet. It is still not available in Hong Kong.

[@leobenedictsanpedro2606]

hey how did you enable that super dark mode? i still have the dark gray even though i'm on android 12 already. using oneplus 8 pro

[@sdfjsd]

I like Google Voice. I use it as my main calling and texting app.

[@Llama4fun]

I used to like the Google RCS until recently, it doesn't connect. Doesn't sync, when I get a message it's HOURS later.

[@hope42]

Why do they not offer a search for Pete's sakes who's Pete haha

[@chamindakhaund619]

Not sure how iMessage is different from all the 3rd party messaging apps available. Does the same job with similar features. What's the fuss about?

[@gfred56]

Google and Facebook/Instagram spy via chat apps. Nuff said. This is why Brave, Firefox & Duck Duck Go Are MY GoTo Apps.

[@pham3383]

My family uses messenger My mom uses iphone 13 My dad uses galaxy note10+ I use galaxy s21ultra My sis uses iphone se 2 We use messenger to text,if you are outside,use 3g and lte,it is not too expensive like 5g and still have good battery

[@LoneWoIfPack19]

Paying for messages had it's silver lining...almost no nonsensical ramblings.

[@mikajokinen9614]

It's better to be a free to communicate person without worrying that a third party might see your correspondence or file. That's why it's worth using Utopia's decentralized p2p ecosystem.

[@newphonexp]

Still don't understand why allo was integrated into messages app

[@random_andy4988]

I have disabled RCS on my phone and recommend others to do so as well after I started to recieve targeted ads.

[@adnanalam6201]

So The Conclusion is that " Google is cringe "

[@niie1091]

google and apple need to do something and work together it is literally so annoying when someone on iphone texts me and the message disapears. it said they sent something, i click in, theres nothing. theres also the thing where especially with group chats, their messages will show up as somtjng you need to download. and don't get me started on the videos from iphone to android, terrible

[@thisisjmx]

Messages app is great. no there's still things to add. but to have instant messaging the default app on Android is great.

[@imrankhan-ob3es]

Its kinda pointless when most of the world still uses whats app, although i really like google message's

[@BantuNiLo]

It's WhatsApp that killed most Google messages not imessage

[@jijumonm2345]

Maybe it's just me living outside USA, but this seems like such a non-issue tbh. And the whole trend of green vs blue bubbles, idk its so weird. What's happened to yall living in USA?

[@danielarmstrong2144]

Weird that you're blaming Google for this, when they've given us a bunch of great options over the years to be the imessage for android, it's the users that didn't adopt and failed, not Google themselves.

[@derekstanley9886]

So RCS is like 15 year old in the public right?

[@wendypekin2115]

I wud like to see Google drop all messaging services except rcm (or whatever it is called). That one has a lot to offer. My Samsung device does not have a chance with it. Only with the sms, most of comes with. Which does a lot. For the world to text each other I wud like rcm... maybe it will catch up with sms, mms ...

[@Angel_Peg]

Rcs

[@jesserosenbaum]

Apple needs to, at minimum, let you set a default messaging app much like Mail Apps or Browsers. It’s been made clear though the Epic case that opening iMessage up to Android and other platforms hurts their bottom line, so a default messaging app setting would be a start.

[@ericchatman7220]

No they don’t

[@volcalstone]

@@ericchatman7220 yes they do. Apple shouldn't just allow one app for all of their texting needs. Then again it's Apple and they will do as they are please until the government tell them otherwise. What if you you were the only iPhone user amongst all your Android friends? Then you won't be able to use RCS cause Apple said so. What if we had Google Messages on iOS that works for both iMessages and RCS? Imagine that.

[@ericchatman7220]

@@volcalstone that’s not an apple problem if I’m the only friend with iPhone That’s the phone I CHOSE to use they didn’t FORCE me to use an iPhone You can’t force a company to do something so you can have a better experience, the company will do what’s in the best interest of the company

[@benjmiester]

Sure but they would never do that. The way it currently works is monopolies and anti-competitive behavior = boo evil bad!!! EXCEPT if it's Apple doing it. Then it's yay we love Apple make more and more money forever!!! Because USA freedom I guess I have no idea. I don't really know what spell they still have over everyone but they just get away with absolute corrupt immoral murder. I mean the courts made Microsoft break into separate companies decades ago basically just for forcing Internet Explorer by default and excluding Netscape browser with Windows on PCs. That's it! Only one of about a half dozen things that Apple does yet it's completely OK and they make far more money than Microsoft ever dreamed of. It's truly bizarre. The argument was always there's another choice so it's not technically a monopoly, you can get an Android. Ok??!! You could get an Apple computer back then. You could get a Linux computer or one that ran Unix too. So how was Microsoft Windows a Monopoly? Technically having other choices available doesn't nullify horrific monopolistic anti-competitive behavior.

[@vignesh7]

I guess you guys kissed Orkut 🤔. That was a full blown FB predecessor with IM built in if my memory serves me right.

[@solo_choco]

Too much trouble when outside the US WhatsApp or other messaging apps are predominant.

[@zacharyoconnell3461]

KZbin has messaging what!

[@prakash.vishwakarma]

Google duo is missed in the list of Google messaging apps

[@edwardodejesus967]

I like allo too but no one I knew wanted to jump on it 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️😕, and my two best friends and I are the only ones I know who use Android phones so we're already almost there with Google messages 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@bunnygarden215]

Idont understand technology! I hv smasung android but family hv Apple & mum doesnt hv smart phone! . If i switch to rsc will apple users & thoese without smart phone recieve my text messages?? P,ease HELP! 😢

[@lindsaywebb1904]

I feel the biggest risk is that rcs be perceived as a google product rather than a standard or platform that allows secure messaging between devices.

[@edwindano]

Thats why apple doesnt want it in its imessage, because google is behind it

[@edwindano]

@Tech Dictator google doesnt own it but i think apple doesn't like that theyre all over the place trying to implement this technology.

[@edwindano]

@Tech Dictator good thing google is pushing carriers to implement them

[@edwindano]

@@techdictator9116 yes it was implemented before imessage existed

[@edisjd]

Hangouts was my favorite, but Messages with RCS is by far the best bc it's a new standard for EVERYONE

[@random_andy4988]

Hangouts should be the app they should have focused on. I never understood why ditch hangouts? Why create a new app when you have a decent one on your hands.

[@hope42]

Why can't Google offer takeout for messages?

[@mrmaramind]

I can't get my Google Photos library to show up in Google Messages in order to text message. Any ideas?

[@erriezzanslounge1380]

this should be simple like whatsapp.sending message using internet and using number phones as account.and google should do long ago on thier sms apps.

[@kind2de]

Apple is clearly wiser then Google,and that's annoying the Android community so much that many big names including Samsung, One Plus and Huawei would love to divorce Google.

[@kiranrathod7371]

this topic only relatable to americans who bought the iphone for imessage.rest of the world dont care about RCS

[@ultramet]

Blue Bubbles! Final answer for now! iMessage on an Android. Cheap server setup and good to go.

[@hope42]

Why don't they copy it to the cloud like Hangouts and chat?

[@gordonchristophertubo3164]

I use two SIM cards, I cannot enable RCS on both!

[@bradavon]

Don't forgot since the S21, outside of North America, even Samsung now preinstalls Google Messages. Hopefully the S22 will kill Samsung Messages for good.