Google Messages provides response assist for iPhone texts and in-app reminders • TechCrunch

Google has left no stones unturned in pushing Apple to undertake the Wealthy Communication Companies (RCS) that the search big argues will enhance cross-platform communication. With little to no luck up to now, Google is marching forward with issues which are inside its energy: Supercharging its RCS consumer Messages on Android with new options to make lives a little bit simpler for these on the opposite aspect of the inexperienced bubbles.

Google’s Messages is including a slew of recent options comparable to the power to react to texts despatched from an iPhone, set reminders and still have an in-app YouTube video participant to look at movies with out leaving the texting app.

Wealthy Communication Companies, or RCS, is the collective effort of numerous business gamers to supercharge the normal SMS with trendy options comparable to richer texts with learn receipts, typing indicators, high-quality video sharing, stickers, and end-to-end encryption. Google, Samsung and numerous different companies, together with telecom operators, have rolled out assist for RCS to over 500 million customers worldwide lately — however the Apple sphere stays proof against it. In latest quarters, Google has aggressively labored to beam new options to RCS and its messaging app.

Google initially rolled out an replace to the Messages app in March that enabled customers to see reactions from iPhone customers on textual content. Now it’s including the aptitude to ship reactions to iPhone customers as nicely.

There’s been a raging debate about the entire inexperienced bubble and blue bubble. When iPhone customers chat with different iPhone customers their textual content is proven in a blue bubble, indicating that they’re utilizing iMessage, which affords options like reactions and animated memojis. When an Android consumer sends an iPhone consumer a textual content, it exhibits up in a inexperienced bubble, which is rather like plain previous SMS with none wealthy media options.

Google has been pushing Apple to undertake RCS in order that customers on both of the cellular working techniques can expertise options like high-quality video sharing, learn receipts, typing indicators, stickers, and extra — however Tim Prepare dinner & Co. hasn’t budged. The brand new Messages replace at the least brings some cross-platform reactions to the combo.

Google can be launching some options which are broadly common in different chat apps comparable to WhatsApp and Telegram. First of the lot is a characteristic to “star” messages to avoid wasting vital particulars comparable to addresses, codes, cellphone numbers, or a favourite meme. You may entry these messages by tapping on the three-dot menu and going to the starred part.

With the brand new replace, customers may reply to particular person messages in a bunch chat. Plus, they’ll additionally watch YouTube movies by an in-app participant.

What’s extra, the Messages app will now let you set in-app reminders that may be helpful for occasions, birthdays, and anniversaries. After you set these reminders, they may present up once you open the app. Until after all, if you wish to use Google’s present to-do and reminder options.

Google talked about bringing voice transcription to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional at its occasion earlier this month. Now, the corporate is enabling this characteristic for the Messages app on the Pixel 6, the Pixel 6 Professional, the Samsung Galaxy S22, and the Galaxy Fold 4.

Google is testing some location-specific options as nicely. In some areas — Google didn’t specify which of them — the corporate is permitting customers to speak with companies they discover by Search or Maps on the Messages app. The corporate can be partnering with United to let flight passengers textual content by RCS utilizing in-flight Wi-Fi beginning this fall with assist for many carriers.