AT&T and T-Mobile have already jumped on the RCS bandwagon and now Verizon has joined its competitors with the news that it will begin using the Google Messages app on its devices in 2022. The Rich Communications Service (RCS) feature allows for a more interactive experience for users, similar to instant messaging apps.
When Verizon makes the switch over to the Google Messages app next year, users will be able to send and receive higher-quality images, GIFs, and videos, chat on cellular or WiFi connections, see when the other person is typing a reply, create and join group chats, as well as enjoy end-to-end encryption on one-to-one conversations.
“Verizon and Google have been working together on Android since the early days of smartphones, and we’re excited to be working with Verizon today to bring a modern-messaging experience to our users,” said Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google’s senior vice president of Platforms & Ecosystems.”
Verizon customers using the Messages+ app will gain RCS features by the end of 2021 and so won’t need to switch to the Google Messages app if they don’t want to.
