Google Messages adds reaction support for iPhone texts and in-app reminders - TechCrunch

Google has near nary stones unturned successful pushing Apple to follow the Rich Communication Services (RCS) that the hunt elephantine argues volition amended cross-platform communication. With small to nary luck truthful far, Google is marching up with things that are wrong its power: Supercharging its RCS lawsuit Messages connected Android with caller features to marque lives a small easier for those connected the different broadside of the greenish bubbles.

Google’s Messages is adding a slew of caller features specified arsenic the quality to respond to texts sent from an iPhone, acceptable reminders and besides person an in-app YouTube video subordinate to ticker videos without leaving the texting app.

Rich Communication Services, oregon RCS, is the corporate effort of a fig of manufacture players to supercharge the accepted SMS with modern features specified arsenic richer texts with work receipts, typing indicators, high-quality video sharing, stickers, and end-to-end encryption. Google, Samsung and a fig of different firms, including telecom operators, person rolled retired enactment for RCS to implicit 500 cardinal users worldwide successful caller years — but the Apple sphere remains immune to it. In caller quarters, Google has aggressively worked to beam caller features to RCS and its messaging app.

Google primitively rolled retired an update to the Messages app successful March that enabled users to spot reactions from iPhone users connected text. Now it is adding the capableness to nonstop reactions to iPhone users arsenic well.

There’s been a raging statement astir the full greenish bubble and bluish bubble. When iPhone users chat with different iPhone users their substance is shown successful a bluish bubble, indicating that they are utilizing iMessage, which offers features similar reactions and animated memojis. When an Android idiosyncratic sends an iPhone idiosyncratic a text, it shows up successful a greenish bubble, which is conscionable similar plain aged SMS without immoderate affluent media features.

Google has been pushing Apple to follow RCS truthful that users connected either of the mobile operating systems tin acquisition features similar high-quality video sharing, work receipts, typing indicators, stickers, and much — but Tim Cook & Co. hasn’t budged. The caller Messages update astatine slightest brings immoderate cross-platform reactions to the mix.

Google is besides launching immoderate features that are wide fashionable successful different chat apps specified arsenic WhatsApp and Telegram. First of the batch is simply a diagnostic to “star” messages to prevention important details specified arsenic addresses, codes, telephone numbers, oregon a favourite meme. You tin entree these messages by tapping connected the three-dot paper and going to the starred section.

With the caller update, users tin besides reply to idiosyncratic messages successful a radical chat. Plus, they tin besides ticker YouTube videos done an in-app player.

What’s more, the Messages app volition present let you to acceptable in-app reminders that tin beryllium useful for events, birthdays, and anniversaries. After you acceptable these reminders, they volition amusement up erstwhile you unfastened the app. Unless of course, if you privation to usage Google’s existing to-do and reminder solutions.

Google mentioned bringing voice transcription to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro astatine its lawsuit earlier this month. Now, the institution is enabling this diagnostic for the Messages app connected the Pixel 6, the Pixel 6 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S22, and the Galaxy Fold 4.

Google is investigating immoderate location-specific features arsenic well. In immoderate regions — Google didn’t specify which ones — the institution is allowing users to chat with businesses they find done Search oregon Maps connected the Messages app. The institution is besides partnering with United to fto formation passengers substance done RCS utilizing in-flight Wi-Fi starting this autumn with enactment for astir carriers.