What is RCS and what makes it better than SMS?

29 December 2018
Google is betting its messaging future on RCS - it's answer to Apple's iMessage.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • XUv
  • 01 Jan 2019

Google were betting the Asia, Africa & South America on RCS with 80% of world population.

In Asia, Africa & South America, Apple only have around 4% market shares. So, Apple user will feel the heat of not being able to send/receive RCS.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • 2Au
    • 01 Jan 2019

    Tell me I'm color blind. Is it only Japan that have the color of yellow?? Awesome

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • 6i%
      • 31 Dec 2018

      Get Two adsense on same domain

        Anonymous, 30 Dec 2018Telegram is only encrypted if you turn it on.Telegram is always encrypted. Yes, its end-to-end encryption only applies to secret chats, but that doesn't mean normal chats are not encrypted at all.

        Normal chats use a client-server-client encryption method. It's all explained here: https://telegram.org/faq#q-so-how-do-you-encrypt-data
        https://telegra.ph/Why-you-should-stop-reading-Gizmodo-right-now-Long

          Anonymous, 29 Dec 2018Doesn't sending over RCS cost you just like SMS's would? I ... moreThat's what I was thinking! It is nothing but paid WhatsApp message! You may get to see 10 RCS messages per day sort of promotion! If this is not unlimited like WhatsApp (very negligible monthly charges), then it is DoA.

            • J
            • J
            • gGF
            • 31 Dec 2018

            Anonymous, 30 Dec 2018Forget about RCS. Just start using Signal. It is encrypted,... more"Forget about RCS. Just start using Signal"

            Seems you neglected to even read the article. The goal of RCS is to have an ubiqutious platform like SMS. So that I don't have to keep 5 apps on my phone, because some people prefer Messenger, other use Skype, others want Telegram, one person demands that I install Signal.

            RCS *could* still support end-to-end encryption (much like iMessage), there are dozens of articles on the subject.

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              • Anonymous
              • 39m
              • 30 Dec 2018

              Forget about RCS. Just start using Signal. It is encrypted, works like a charm and doesn't send your data to either Google nor Facebook like Viber & WhatsApp do.

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • mgK
                • 30 Dec 2018

                Anonymous, 30 Dec 2018iMessage does not have true end-to-end encryption, as this ... moreTelegram is only encrypted if you turn it on.

                  • A
                  • ADH
                  • p%U
                  • 30 Dec 2018

                  That map is just a lie. In the Czech republic, none of the carriers support RCS. Not only that, I asked all of them when they'll launch and they answered they have no plans or even interest launching RCS.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • v3B
                    • 30 Dec 2018

                    Anonymous, 30 Dec 2018iMessage does not have true end-to-end encryption, as this ... moreJust because iMessage doesn't do forward secrecy yet does not mean it doesn't have end to end encryption.

                    I'd trust iMessage over SMS or IM's like FB messenger, but maybe less than Signal

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • Nxj
                      • 30 Dec 2018

                      iMessage does not have true end-to-end encryption, as this article suggests. Messages are stored for backup on Apple's iCloud servers, which means Apple can decrypt them (hello hackers and court orders). iMessage also does not use forward secrecy, which is encryption 101 if you want a truly secure encrypted connection. The fact that this article mentions iMessage as it's first example of an encrypted messaging app is a joke and shows GSMArena needs to learn more about encryption.

                      The article should hold up Signal, as it's example of end-to-end encryption, which everyone agrees is that industry standard for end-to-end encryption to which all others should be compared. If everyone used Signal, the world would be a lot better off. It works on all platforms, on the desktop, and will handle regular SMS also.

                      If you want video callling, use Wire, which is based on Signal's encryption algorithm.

                        It looks like Google is doing this for the businesses with SMS advertising and services.

                          AnonD-558092, 29 Dec 2018RCS will be counted towards your SMS allotment. If you have... moreWell time will show how each carrier will charge it. I would not be surprised if the charge will be dependant on the content. A natural model would be to let data be charged by size to our data package, and the rest as sms or mms.

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • vx6
                            • 30 Dec 2018

                            Hurray Philippines is forecasted! Hope the Telco's (only 2 of them) here would up their game given that our President himself opened a 3rd slot for a new Telco competitor... We should gotten Telstra but was blocked by the existing, money hungry yet worst service Telco's in the country (2nd slowest country net connection in SEA alone).

                              Anonym, 29 Dec 2018Actually depends on country/plan. When we have over 2000 SM... moreBecause RCS is a protocol, a system, you will be able to receive one without consuming data just like you can receive calls and texts without charge. Because of this, you will have a free message allowance just like SMS and if you dont have free RCS you'll pay a flat fee for sending one, not the cost of data.

                              SMS take up a lot of unnecessary network capacity because they use the old 2G GSM system and the networks want it replaced. RCS, despite having much richer content, will use less network resources.

                                I can't see end-to-end encryption ever be added to RCS. The carriers & governments won't allow it. I will stick to Telegram for now.

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                                  • Alboooz
                                  • Srh
                                  • 29 Dec 2018

                                  RCS?? is nothing new, it's just typically email account in to your phone number so google idea is to easy and direct send adds and adds to test users with different irrelevant adds,spam, where thrd party terrorise users with hacking or hijacking vith viruses or mallware code pages or porn and weird mm stuff, and will yake ages till developers come out with software to stop or filter this things.

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                                    • Anonym
                                    • LiK
                                    • 29 Dec 2018

                                    Macbeth, 29 Dec 2018Instant messaging is free unlike SMS which is why I moved.Actually depends on country/plan. When we have over 2000 SMSs included in the plan, then it's pretty much "free". Plus, instant messaging takes data, which can be costlier than SMS (although WiFi does help those in ultra-low-budget plans).

                                      Instant messaging is free unlike SMS which is why I moved.

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • pB{
                                        • 29 Dec 2018

                                        The lack of encryption is the only bad thing about this.

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