Sources suggest that Google is now rolling out the RCS (Rich Communication Services) feature to Google Messages app in more countries.
As per Android Police, this feature is arriving in nine countries. The latest to join is Italy and Portugal. Local sources like Italy’s TuttoAndroid and Portugal’s Pplware confirm the arrival of RCS to Google Messages.
For those who are still unaware of what RCS means, well, normal SMS allows you to only text to be sent. However, messages via RCS can include images, chat, sounds, and videos as well.
Besides, those who include images or videos in the message, the application will automatically decide whether to send it using SMS/MMS or RCS.
Moreover, the messages sent via RCS will be received to the recipient, irrespective of whether or not the recipient has RCS enabled. Even if the recipient does not have an RCS compatible app, the message sent will be delivered.
Google Messages RCS service is already available in Argentina, Poland, the US, etc.
Google is now continuing its efforts of the rolling out the Google Messages RCS service to more countries. Users from regions where RCS has already arrived will see a banner when they open the Google Messages app.
Notably, this banner contains the instructions of how this RCS service works with Google Message. It also lets them know the steps on how they can enable this feature.
Last year, when Google introduced this feature in the US, the users there also were treated with the same banner explaining how RCS services work and how users can enable it on the Google Messages app.
Apparently, users who have dismissed this banner can also activate this RCS feature via the Google Messages settings as well. But we believe that this RCS augmented text messages rolled over by Google, will not be possible to neglect.
This service allows users to send media and messages using mobile internet or WiFi
RCS is a next-generation messaging service that is a notch above the SMS or MMS. The content, be it message or media, sent using RCS service can be sent over via mobile internet or WiFi.
This service behaves like a messenger application, similar to WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. It also includes features like reading receipts, typing indicators, and group conversation support, etc. that you would find handy.
Interestingly, the charges are also based on what your mobile carrier charges you for your message package or internet. If you have an unlimited SMS package, then the RCS messages will be free.
Meanwhile, while sending RCS using mobile data, you will be charged as per your data plan. If sending over a WiFi network, then it is seemingly free.
The update seems to be rolling out as a server-side change by Google. So, there is no update for the Google Messages to get this RCS service. It will be automatically available for the users in the eligible regions.