10 votes

Google is enabling RCS independently of mobile operators in the UK and France this month

15 comments

  1. [3]
    sron
    Link
    RCS will bring features such as messaging over WiFi & data, typing indicators and higher quality media. It won't be end to end encrypted though Google claim they won't keep any data for longer...

    RCS will bring features such as messaging over WiFi & data, typing indicators and higher quality media. It won't be end to end encrypted though Google claim they won't keep any data for longer than they need to deliver the message. There's been a report of the feature appearing on an O2 MVNO in the UK.

    It should appear in the UK and France "this month" and other areas "throughout the year".

    Original: https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/06/17/google-takes-rcs-rollout-into-its-own-hands-after-carriers-totally-botch-it/

    4 votes
    1. [2]
      Somebody
      Link Parent
      Basically, it's a new chat program. I don't see RCS replacing SMS any time soon. The reason old protocols hang on is because they're simple and functional.

      Basically, it's a new chat program.

      I don't see RCS replacing SMS any time soon. The reason old protocols hang on is because they're simple and functional.

      1 vote
      1. sron
        Link Parent
        And universal. There's always going to be basic phones (i.e. the ones without touchscreens) that will need SMS

        And universal. There's always going to be basic phones (i.e. the ones without touchscreens) that will need SMS

  2. Luna
    Link
    This was a surprise to me, I have a Pixel 3 on Verizon and RCS is not enabled.

    one can root a phone on Verizon, change the device ID, and connect to Google's Jibe/RCS right now, as the Pixel 3 and 3 XL can when used on the carrier

    This was a surprise to me, I have a Pixel 3 on Verizon and RCS is not enabled.

    1 vote
  3. [3]
    0d_billie
    Link
    The verge did a great write-up of this, worth a read: https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/17/18681573/google-rcs-chat-android-texting-carriers-imessage-encryption
    3 votes
    1. sron
      Link Parent
      I quite like this. Not being operated entirely by a single company is a nice touch too. E2E would be nice but even without that it's a step up from SMS. Hopefully iOS will be supported eventually...

      there’s no database of who has it and who doesn’t

      I quite like this. Not being operated entirely by a single company is a nice touch too. E2E would be nice but even without that it's a step up from SMS.

      Hopefully iOS will be supported eventually and we can finally have a unified messaging service you can send media on without it getting expensive or compressed beyond recognition.

      3 votes
    2. Deimos
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Thanks - I changed the main link to that one, the Android Police article specifically lists that as its source for the story anyway.

      Thanks - I changed the main link to that one, the Android Police article specifically lists that as its source for the story anyway.

  4. [8]
    Wes
    Link
    I believe Outline links are discouraged on Tildes. It's also best to use the original title unless it can be made more informative.

    I believe Outline links are discouraged on Tildes. It's also best to use the original title unless it can be made more informative.

    2 votes
    1. [7]
      vakieh
      Link Parent
      They aren't discouraged - not to mention OP linked the original in a comment if you wanted to view it that way. Original titles are overrated, this one has far more useful information (like when...

      They aren't discouraged - not to mention OP linked the original in a comment if you wanted to view it that way. Original titles are overrated, this one has far more useful information (like when and where).

      6 votes
      1. sron
        Link Parent
        Thanks - I'll keep that in mind. The only reason I linked to Outline was because it gives more consideration to privacy (no ads) compared to original sites which is definitely a focus here....

        Thanks - I'll keep that in mind. The only reason I linked to Outline was because it gives more consideration to privacy (no ads) compared to original sites which is definitely a focus here. https://www.outline.com/privacy.html

        And the original title wasn't that descriptive. How are they taking the rollout into their own hands? How have carriers "botched it"? I get there might be a wider issue with users changing headlines to better fit their own view, but I'm not one of those people and if it's not okay I won't do it again.

        Original titles are used to drive clicks - we don't need that here in my view.

        10 votes
      2. [2]
        Deimos
        Link Parent
        They are discouraged. I'll generally always edit a topic's link to point to the original source if someone submits from outline and I see it, and I even looked into making this happen...

        They are discouraged. I'll generally always edit a topic's link to point to the original source if someone submits from outline and I see it, and I even looked into making this happen automatically (and still might eventually do this, there's an issue related to it on GitLab).

        I understand why people use outline, and use it fairly often myself too. But we shouldn't be using it as the primary source of links, for a lot of different reasons. Just as one concern, it's almost certain to disappear someday. When that happens it will break all the links to it, and it might be difficult or impossible to figure out what the original source was to be able to fix them.

        (@Wes, @sron)

        3 votes
        1. Wes
          Link Parent
          Thank you for the clarification, Deimos. @vakieh, I read back my comment this morning and found it read as antagonistic. Please consider any crabbiness a result of lack of sleep and not ill will...

          Thank you for the clarification, Deimos.

          @vakieh, I read back my comment this morning and found it read as antagonistic. Please consider any crabbiness a result of lack of sleep and not ill will towards yourself.

          2 votes
      3. [3]
        Wes
        Link Parent
        They are. It seems you were even informed of this in the past. And one other source.

        They aren't discouraged

        They are. It seems you were even informed of this in the past. And one other source.

        1 vote
        1. [2]
          vakieh
          Link Parent
          Uh... that first comment was in favour of outline, as an alternative to a different outlet that rewrote the story, and against a ban on paywalled links. And the second link is regarding an...

          Uh... that first comment was in favour of outline, as an alternative to a different outlet that rewrote the story, and against a ban on paywalled links. And the second link is regarding an automatic redirect to outline, which is not what happened here at all.

          3 votes
          1. Wes
            Link Parent
            The comments are in support of posting the original source, and not circumventing them. It's pretty clear that Outline does just that. The original source should be submitted, and if necessary, an...

            The comments are in support of posting the original source, and not circumventing them. It's pretty clear that Outline does just that.

            The original source should be submitted, and if necessary, an Outline link can be posted in the comments.

            2 votes