The Silicon Review ^Asia

Tech Giant Google has launched a new chat messaging service which will replace Android’s SMS texts on its Smartphones. The new service has been designed to integrate the chat service with the default messaging app on Android phones, along with new features like group texts, videos, typing indicators and read receipts.

However, it will depend on the mobile network operators whether they would enable the service or not, and the encrypted messages will not be supported. Once the service reaches the audience worldwide, Android Smartphone users will be able to take advantage of the advanced features when messaging other users. Furthermore, different mobile operators, phone makers, and app-developers will be able to use the new technology to create messaging apps that are compatible with one another. Google has worked with more than 50 mobile networks including Vodafone, T-Mobile and Verizon, and manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, and Huawei to create the new service.

Google has claimed that Chat is not a new Google app. Since RCS is a communications standard, and it is up to individual mobile networks and phone-makers to switch on the functionality. Google's Anil Sabharwal said that RCS continues to be a carrier-owned service which means that messages can still be legally intercepted.