Main points
- Employ RCS messaging to enhance user experience and future-proof communications through improved integration within the Google ecosystem.
- Adopting RCS ensures universal compatibility across devices and platforms, provides functionality comparable to popular messaging apps, and delivers a modern, engaging experience.
- Google Voice must prioritize RCS integration in order to remain competitive in the evolving digital communications landscape and maintain its position as a comprehensive communications platform.
Google has been advocating for a universal messaging protocol for years, encouraging all major phone manufacturers and wireless carriers to adopt RCS messaging. Of course, Google’s own Fi Wireless also supports RCS. But Google Voice, a service that gives you a numeric phone number for calling and texting, still lacks RCS support. Since RCS is a priority for Google, this begs the question: Why doesn’t Google Voice support RCS?
Google Voice has long been a reliable platform for managing calls, text messages, and voicemails across different devices. However, as technology advances, so do user expectations.
Now that Apple has announced that the 2024 iPhone will support RCS, Google Voice should also keep pace with the times. This is why Google Voice should embrace RCS messaging and integrate RCS into its platform.
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1 Enhanced messaging experience
RCS makes messaging more fun
RCS introduces features that enhance the messaging experience across all platforms, including read receipts, typing indicators, group chat functionality, high-resolution image sharing and improved multimedia support.
By integrating RCS into Google Voice, users can enjoy a more interactive and engaging messaging experience, similar to popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp, iMessage and Facebook Messenger. This allows users to seamlessly transition from basic text messaging to a more feature-rich messaging platform without having to switch to another app.
2 Universal compatibility
One protocol to rule them all
Joe Hindy/Pocket-lint
The focus of RCS messaging is to ensure universal compatibility across different devices and operating systems. Unlike some proprietary messaging platforms, RCS is designed to work seamlessly across Android devices. This versatility ensures users can communicate with anyone, regardless of the device or platform they use.
The focus of RCS messaging is to ensure universal compatibility across different devices and operating systems.
By integrating RCS into Google Voice, users can enjoy this universal compatibility regardless of their contacts’ messaging application preferences. Whether you’re messaging friends, family, or coworkers, Google Voice with RCS ensures messages are delivered reliably and consistently across all devices.
Although Apple announced that it will support RCS in 2024, it should be noted that the iPhone does not yet support RCS. Additionally, we don’t yet know what RCS profiles Apple will support. Apple says it will support the RCS universal profile, but that profile does not support Google’s RCS encryption standard. We don’t know yet what Apple’s RCS implementation will look like, but we hope to learn more during WWDC 2024, which kicks off on June 10.
3 Communications for the future
The future of text messaging is here
As technology continues to advance, traditional text messaging is becoming obsolete. Users increasingly expect richer features and functionality from their messaging apps. By adopting RCS, Google Voice can future-proof its messaging capabilities and remain competitive in the ever-evolving world of digital communications. This move will not only enhance the user experience, but also ensure that Google Voice remains relevant and innovative in the long term.
By adding RCS support, Google Voice can appeal to users who are looking for a messaging solution that combines the convenience of traditional SMS with the enhanced functionality of modern messaging applications. This move will not only help retain existing users, but also attract new users attracted by the advanced features of RCS messaging.
4 Improved integration with Google
RCS and Google Voice fit together naturally
Google Voice is part of a broader ecosystem of Google products and services, including Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive. Integrating RCS into Google Voice will further enhance the interconnectivity of these services, providing users with a seamless and consistent experience across different platforms.
For example, users can receive RCS messages directly in the Gmail interface, or collaborate in RCS-enabled group chats in Google Drive. This integration will add value to Google’s ecosystem and improve productivity and communication for users who rely on these services for personal and professional purposes.
Why Apple finally decided to adopt RCS on iPhone
The iPhone will feature RCS later this year, but why did it take so long to get there? Also, what differences can you expect?
5 It’s time to adopt RCS, or that’s the end of it
Google Voice must keep up with the times or die
There are countless messaging apps out there, but Google Voice stands out as a comprehensive communications platform that integrates seamlessly with other Google services. From enhanced messaging capabilities to universal compatibility and future-proof communications, there are many reasons why Google Voice should support RCS messaging.
The last thing we want is for Google Voice to disappear, but if it can’t keep up with its competitors, things could go in that direction. By adopting RCS, Google Voice will provide users with a more interactive and engaging messaging experience while maintaining its position as the leading communications platform.