Huawei has announced that over the coming months, its Android devices will begin shipping with Android Messages which will give more users access to Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging. RCS messaging allows for features such as texting over Wi-Fi, rich media sharing, group chats, and typing indicators.
Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, said:
“Huawei and Google together by forming this strategic partnership will provide consumers with the best global user experience on Huawei products with RCS and will enable carriers the ability to offer unique services through business messaging.”
Google’s SVP, Platforms & Ecosystems, Hiroshi Lockheimer, believes the move will help spread RCS messaging:
“We are pleased to be working with Huawei to bring a better native messaging experience to hundreds of millions of people worldwide, through RCS and Android Messages. Huawei is a global leader in carrier network technology and collaborating on the Jibe RCS cloud and hub will accelerate the roll-out of RCS on carrier networks.”
According to Huawei, users of Android Messages on their future devices will be able to make direct video calls to users through carrier ViLTE and Google Duo. Additionally, messages from businesses will be upgraded on Huawei’s devices through RCS business messaging.
No fixed date has been given for the deployment of the app on Huawei devices, but for users running an older device, or a phone from another company, it’s possible to download Android Messages from the app store and switch to it as your default text messaging application.