The new messaging app that challenges WhatsApp

Google challenges the WhatsApp giant with the new RCS system (Rich Communication Service), or the service that allows sending SMS 2.0 messages.

What is it about? I'm text messages enriched with multimedia content, such as GIFs, images, videos etc..

The service integrates perfectly with the current one Google app and includes extra features, such as the very useful message reading notification.

The new SMS take advantage of data network, not the traditional one. Can we then speak of a "clone" of WhatsApp? The answer is: not exactly.

The Google Messages app is rather destined to become iMessage's alter ego, used by iOS.

Do you want to activate them SMS 2.0 for Android smartphones? Read on to find out how.

The RCS system has already been active in the United States for a couple of months. The new service, developed by Google, enriches traditional SMS, making them more attractive.

Currently, the feature is only available for Android smartphones. To use SMS there must be a pre-existing agreement between mobile operators and Google.

SMS 2.0 they are very similar to the messages we send every day via WhatsApp or Telegram. They only work on the Google Messages app (usually pre-installed on Android smartphones).

Messages take advantage of data network or Wi-Fi, that's why we can enrich them with various types of multimedia content.

The new service allows the creation of groups, you can see when the other person is writing and see if your recipient has read the SMS.

To use the RCS standard he SMS 2.0, you will simply have to wait for the notification from the Messages app. If you have not received it, it means that your operator is still being updated.

How to do? Open the app Messages, press on the three dot icon located at the top right, then go up Settings.

Select the "Chat features" item from the tab. If you see the writing “Chat features not available for this device. The operator does not currently support this functionality“, You will have to wait.

On the contrary, if you notice new settings on your smartphone (such as "Enable chat functionality" or "Send read receipts") it means that you can already use SMS 2.0.