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Google Hinges Android Messaging Strategy On Carrier-Based RCS; Allo Being Put On 'Pause'

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Apr 20, 2018, 2:27 AM by Eric M. Zeman

Google hopes to solve the messaging experience on Android phones with a new service called Chat. Chat will be based on Rich Communication Services and live within the existing Android Messages application. RCS represents the next generation of mobile communication with advanced features such as presence, read receipts, video chat, and more. Google has been quietly gathering commitments from wireless carriers around the globe in order to make this work. The service is set to launch soon, though it will be up to individual carriers to deploy. Chat and RCS rely on data connections, but will revert to SMS — what Android Messages uses today — when data service is not available. Google expects to update the Android Messages app with advanced features such as GIF search and the Google Assistant. At the same time, Google is "pausing" development on the Google Allo messaging app, which first launched with Google Assistant in 2016. Most of the Allo team is being moved to the Android Messages product, according to The Verge, leaving Allo all but abandoned. Android Messages is the default texting/messaging app on many Android phones, but not all of them. Companies such as Samsung have created their own SMS/messaging apps for their phones. In those cases, it will be up to phone owners to download and install Android Messages in order to take advantage of Chat service from their carrier. Unlike some messaging services, Chat will not be encrypted. This means it isn't as secure as iMessage on the iPhone. Google has left numerous messaging services in the digital graveyard over the last few years. When Chat launches, it should put the matter to rest and serve as Android's core service for the foreseeable future.

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