T-Mobile, Google Expand Support for Smart Messaging for Android Users
T-Mobile announced it has added support that will allow Android smartphone users to gain access to Rich Communications Messaging or RCS features that make text messages as smart as iMessages when texting Android users on other networks. The move comes in a “first-of-a-kind” partnership with Google, which owns the Android mobile operating system.
RCS adds new features to text messaging that include notifications when a recipient has seen a message and an indication when someone is replying. T-Mobile said that users won’t have to download anything in order to use the feature because it is built into the mobile network.
Currently, 40 Android smartphones sold by T-Mobile are RCS capable.
Last fall, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint (now merged with T-Mobile) formed the Cross Carrier Messaging initiative to roll out the RCS standard.
“Efforts like CCMI help move the entire industry forward so we can give customers more of what they want and roll out new messaging capabilities that work the same across providers and even across countries,” said John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile.
RCS will allow mobile subscribers to communicate with companies as well, including the ability to order a car from a ride-hailing service or pay bills. It will work across individual messages and group chats, and will support high-quality images and videos.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)