Google has announced that it is working with Samsung to make its Android Messages and the latter’s Samsung Messages app work seamlessly together using Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging. The end goal of the project is to enable features such as chat over WiFi, rich group chats, typing indicators and read receipts, and the ability to share hi-res photos and videos across platforms.
Samsung Messages is already available on a select few devices according to Google but the plan is to roll out the new features to older devices including the Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, S8 Active, S9, S9+, Note8, Note9, and select A and J series running Android 9.0 or later. New Samsung Galaxy smartphones will also support RCS messaging going forward, as long as the carrier also supports RCS.
Commenting on the news, Patrick Chomet, EVP and Head of Product & Services Innovation Team, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics, said:
“By furthering our robust partnership with Google, we will bring a richer messaging experience to our customers, letting them seamlessly chat with their friends and family across messaging platforms. This collaboration will help further the industry’s momentum toward advanced messaging and global RCS coverage.”
Once the two apps work seamlessly together, brands that use Google or Samsung’s Messaging-as-a-Platform (MaaP) services will be able to reach users with Android Messages and Samsung Messages, meaning they’ll attract more potential customers.