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Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

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Re: Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

#71

Post by superturkey650 »

beisner wrote: post #47
atonse wrote: post #4

Can anyone confirm the biggest issue (in my opinion) with RCS? It's not end-to-end encrypted. Update: Confirmed it myself [1]. End-to-end encryption is not even an option. Which is perfect for the data addicts like Google. But honestly I would never ever recommend this as an avenue for people to use over something like WhatsApp. [1]: https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/14/20964477/googles-rcs-cha...

It's almost certainly the carriers imposing this restriction. The reason these features took so long is because, as they did for SMS, every single carrier across the world has to get on board with this. , so I'm sure that's the reason it's not encrypted. The Messages app might be a Google product, but the underlying transport has to be implemented by carriers, and I'm sure there are many, many carriers who aren't int…

Is there any reason someone couldn't make an sms client that gives the option of encryption assuming the person you are conversing with was using a client following the same encryption protocol? It would require a few automated texts to exchange keys but would allow encrypted communication over sms easily.

I'm guessing there just isn't a big enough market for it given that people are willing to create an account with WhatsApp to get the same thing.

Re: Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

#72

Post by rusk »

AcerbicZero wrote: post #58
OkGoDoIt wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly my experience. I finally bit the bullet and switched to the Apple side. There are things I miss from android but I trust Apple not to self sabotage much more than I trust Google these days. Which is weird, and exactly the opposite of the feeling I had 5 years ago.

I also made the switch somewhat recently, as I've had iPhones as company devices for awhile now. I'm no Apple fan-boy, but at least having a relatively solid feeling device that does what you expect 90% of the time and doesn't change core functionality without at least some warning is a great feeling.

Well hang around long enough and you might see some of that ... but yeah broadly speaking the experience is a lot more stable; you cant take chances with your phone ...

Re: Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

#73

Post by nkrisc »

OnlineGladiator wrote: post #69
nkrisc wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was, to a lesser degree, on the same path as you (Nexus 4, 5X, Pixel, Pixel 2 currently). Almost signed up for Fi, but decided not to after talking to a few people. My next phone will be an iPhone, for pretty much the reasons you stated. As soon as they launch 5-6" iPhone with an OLED screen that doesn't have three goofy looking cameras on the back, I'm in.

> As soon as they launch 5-6" iPhone with an OLED screen that doesn't have three goofy looking cameras on the back, I'm in. Wouldn't that be an iPhone X, or more recently iPhone XS?

That may be the case, looking into it again. I might have been mislead by Apple's proprietary marketing terms for their screen (what the hell is "retina" anyway?)

Not gonna lie, Apple's phone models confuse me.

Re: Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

#74

Post by hocuspocus »

AcerbicZero wrote: post #46

There was a time when I really thought Google was going to shake things up. Nexus Phones, Google Fiber, Google Fi, etc all sounded awesome. I bought a Nexus 5, switched to Fi, went through the super fun process of mixing around my google voice numbers, (breaking all kinds of stuff) but eventually I was mostly setup and functional. I'd lost some core parts of gVoice, but I figured it was just a matter of time before i…

I owned several Nexus phones (the ones that were properly priced) and overall it was clear that Google never cared to launch a finished product, all of them showing some serious software bugs, and sometimes even hardware issues. I assumed it was part of the deal, and Google has pretty generous customer service policies at least.

Sadly the situation hasn't really improved with the Pixels and I can't justify buying such half-assed phones. Not at these prices at least.

I bought an Essential when Amazon was clearing their inventory but I wonder what I'll get next. Nokia's are almost there but not quite. Unfortunately I cannot stand iOS and the iPhone lineup so that's not an option.

Re: Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

#75

Post by gowld »

JohnFen wrote: post #32

No, thanks. I really, really, really don't want SMS "upgraded" in this way. If I wanted something like RCS, I'd be using a messaging app. Here's hoping that everything remains compatible with old-school SMS.

Why use SMS instead of a messaging app? Why is the call network side channel the ideal cellular messaging protocol?

Re: Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

#76

Post by codedokode »

Isn't RCS invented to let mobile carriers take back the market of mobile messaging from messengers like Telegram or Whatsapp? There will be no encryption, it won't work without Internet and users can be charged for every message.

Of course, no sane person will want to use it so Google will have to add something that will be available only to RCS and not to other messengers.

Re: Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

#77

Post by baq »

OnlineGladiator wrote: post #56
OkGoDoIt wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly my experience. I finally bit the bullet and switched to the Apple side. There are things I miss from android but I trust Apple not to self sabotage much more than I trust Google these days. Which is weird, and exactly the opposite of the feeling I had 5 years ago.

I'm in this situation right now - was just debating buying an iPhone yesterday after never owning anything from Apple. How do you like it so far?

i've been in that boat, too - inherited a 6S after SO upgraded to an 8 and it does everything i need it to except crap battery life (that's after battery replacement last year). there were a few apps that i missed, but not terribly. it takes calls, it makes calls, google maps work, all of these were not reliable on the nexus 5x i switched from. figured setting up would be about as hard as starting from a wiped android and it's about right.

Re: Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

#78

Post by rusk »

mrandish wrote: post #29

Let me see if I understand the strategic landscape around RCS correctly... * To the extent RCS: a) makes it easier for users to switch between mobile providers and keep advanced features that used to be offered for lock-in or more $$, or b) makes it easier for users to switch between the old SMS network and wifi - then, it's not good for mobile telco provider's business models. * To the extent RCS increases privacy f…

I remember this the last time around, with MMS 20 years ago. It was a non-starter then and I’ve seen little this time around to give me confidence this will be different. The Google thing is a novel digression, but from where I’m sitting it looks like they’re just trying to fence off a section of the market for themselves and adding little else besides.

Re: Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

#79

Post by sorenjan »

endorphone wrote: post #70
AcerbicZero wrote: post #46

There was a time when I really thought Google was going to shake things up. Nexus Phones, Google Fiber, Google Fi, etc all sounded awesome. I bought a Nexus 5, switched to Fi, went through the super fun process of mixing around my google voice numbers, (breaking all kinds of stuff) but eventually I was mostly setup and functional. I'd lost some core parts of gVoice, but I figured it was just a matter of time before i…

Pretty much exactly the path I took. I truly believed Google was set to change the world for the better. I had every Nexus device (and pre-Nexus with the Magic and Dream), watched every Google move with anticipation, etc. The 6P was the last Nexus I owned -- miserable battery life and poor experience that it brought -- though I held on with Android a bit longer with the Galaxy line. I developed several apps on the pl…

We often hear about all the great engineers at Google, but their project managers must be some of the worst in the industry. So many half baked and forgotten projects that wasn't good enough when they came out, left with few and slow upgrades, and then killed off. How many messaging apps have Google launched and killed? How many WearOS watches have they sold? How's the Android tablet ecosystem? How did the Nexus rebranding to Pixel go? They seem to lack any interest in polish and usability, beyond removing features and adding whitespace and larger margins.

You would have to be crazy to adapt any new service from them, be it Messages, Stadia, or buying last year's phone for this year's price.

Re: Upgrading Messaging on Android in the U.S. with RCS

#80

Post by barbs »

JohnFen wrote: post #32

No, thanks. I really, really, really don't want SMS "upgraded" in this way. If I wanted something like RCS, I'd be using a messaging app. Here's hoping that everything remains compatible with old-school SMS.

I'm the same. Use other messaging apps for E2EE and other advanced features, fall back to SMS of there's no data connection or to ensure compatibility with the person on the other end.
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