Google, Sprint Team Up to Bring Next-Generation RCS, Upgrade SMS; Similar to Messenger and iMessage

The telecommunications company Sprint will be the first to use the RCS Messenger app for the update on the messaging capability of Android devices.

The standard for the current SMS text messaging is the so-called Rich Communication Service (RCS) which adds new attributes to simple text messaging. It includes new functions for group chats and group texting along with the ability to get notifications when the other person has seen the message sent.

It can also send high-res pictures and allow longer messaging thanks to its dependency on the Internet. RCS will bring a new standard to the simple SMS service that is present to everyone's phone. However, this is old news to users who are already familiar with Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, and Apple's iMessage.

Sprint Inc. mentioned that the launch of the new service will bring a whole new experience to Android users thanks to the addition of advanced features such as high-resolution picture sharing, reading of receipts, and an updated group chat function.

The Jibe RCS cloud platform from Google is reported to be the one implementing the service.

The IP multimedia subsystem serves as the backbone for RCS and the GSMA universal profile is now running with the help of 58 global manufacturers and operators. Sprint's launch of the new RCS system uses an earlier version and the operator will soon transition to the full profile starting November 17.

Sprint customers using Android can download the Messenger app from Google Play since only selected Nexus and LG device holders will have their messaging app automatically updated, for now. In 2017, all newly sold devices running the Android OS from Sprint will have the Messenger app preloaded to serve as the RCS messaging client.

The head of the RCS development in Google Amir Sarhangi said that the real splendor of SMS is its omnipresence because it's already a part of everyone's phone. More than 4 billion people around the planet are now using it.

Sprint Android customers will only have a chance to use the enhanced messaging service when they text other Android devices that have the updated app under Sprint. Other devices that do not run on Android will only get the standard SMS messaging.