Verizon Launching RCS

Verizon is launching RCS Chat on the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. RCS is a chat/messaging standard offering functionality that’s akin to Apple’s iMessage. RCS is seen as an SMS replacement.

It supports high-resolution images and video, and large group chats (with up to 100 participants). It can deliver messages with up to 8,000 characters. And it has typing indicators. (RCS does not employ end-to-end encryption.)

“The latest Pixels will be the first phones on Verizon to pick up support for RCS, with the carrier mentioning to The Verge that other smartphones will receive the update in the future,” androidcentral reports. “It's likely the Pixels will serve as a test for RCS messaging on Verizon, with a broader rollout slated for sometime around early 2019.

“Thankfully, Verizon's RCS implementation will be compatible with other carriers as it supports the GSMA's Universal Profile,” it adds. “The service itself will be dubbed Chat on the Pixels to make it easier for customers to make the distinction. With RCS, you'll be able to see read receipts, along with typing indicators, group chats, media sharing, and much more.”

In other recent Verizon wireless endpoint news, the company on Dec. 3 announced it and Samsung plan to introduce one of the first commercial 5G smartphones to the market in the first half of 2019. That will be as part of a Qualcomm Snapdragon proof of concept effort. It will include the Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile Platform with the Snapdragon X50 5G NR modem and antenna modules with integrated RF transceiver, RF front-end, and antenna elements.

Speaking of Samsung, it announced in September it was working with Google on RCS Messaging for Android. The collaboration aims to ensure Android Messages and Samsung Messages will work together seamlessly and with RCS messaging –enabling the ability to chat over Wi-Fi, create rich group chats, see typing indicators and read receipts, and share high-resolution photos and videos.

“We’ve been working with the mobile industry to upgrade the messaging experience on Android with RCS,” said Anil Sabharwal, Vice President for Communications Products and Photos at Google. “Samsung has been a major contributor to this initiative, and our partnership will further advance our shared vision of a substantially improved messaging experience on Android for users, brands and the broader Android ecosystem.”

Edited by Maurice Nagle