The Google I / O conference will be held in two weeks and the Android Messaging app may be in the spotlight. Google plans to graft his project Chat and make it compatible with the format RCS, successor designated SMS.
Has Google finally managed to find a way to aggregate SMS and content enriched messages within a single email? A priori yes and this project would carry the sweet name of Chat, simply. In any case what reveals exclusively the American site The Verge.
We could soon say goodbye to the default Android Messaging app but also to Hangout, Allo and Duo, Google's other three messaging services. Because, here, no question of an umpteenth application but a support of the standard RCS (Rich Communication Services) by the Messaging app, now dedicated to SMS, and installed in all versions of Android.
Thus, the Android Messaging application would work in exactly the same way as Apple's iPhone and iPad Messages. If the recipient has a compatible device, it receives a rich message (an iMessage in sum); otherwise, the message is converted to a simple SMS.
Google carries the RCS at arm's length
With Chat, Google wants (finally) to impose the RCS standard on the entire smartphone industry and mobile operators. RCS messages (referred to as "enriched") pass through - like iMessages on iOS - via 3G / 4G networks since they can carry sound, video, and so on. SMS, they, use the good old GSM to navigate from one device to another. Another advantage of RCS messages, as they go through data networks (or Wi-Fi), they are not counted possible SMS / MMS packages.
An argument may be a bit weak for us who are lucky enough to have unlimited packages but, for countries where SMS / MMS continue to be limited or even charged to the unit unlike the data (rechargeable or more easily accessible), risk to fly.
For the time being, 55 telephone operators would have committed to switch to SCR (the only French operator listed in The Verge: Orange), 11 smartphone manufacturers also showed interest in SCR including Samsung, LG, Asus, Lenovo or Huawei. All would also include RCS support to their home email apps, of course. On the side of operating system makers interested in the standard are Google (of course) but also Microsoft.
Cupertino would make resistance
Apple is not for the moment part of the adventure because he wants to keep his own standard. Cupertino may consider that, since SCRs are not encrypted throughout their journey between two devices (unlike iMessages), this could adversely affect the privacy of its users. However, if the RCS were to become the official replacement of the SMS, it would be difficult for Apple to continue to ignore this standard.
However, Apple still has plenty of time to change its mind. Firstly because the RCS standard exists since 2007 and that Google tries to impose it for ages, without much success.
Next, according to The Verge, the giant is banking on a commissioning of Chat estimated between six to twelve months. It is, in fact, conditioned by the massive adoption by telecom operators. We can therefore bet on an implementation in 2019 if everything goes as planned.
Finally, the SMS is not yet dead. On the contrary! It is therefore likely that iMessages, RCS and SMS coexist and transit for many years on the networks.
If Google were to formalize Chat, it's a safe bet that it would do during the next Google I / O to be held May 8-11.