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RCS for Business

developers.google.com

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Re: RCS for Business

#21

Post by rkrueger11 »

dfajgljsldkjag wrote: post #7

It's unfortunate that RCS is basically a de-facto Google walled garden in most countries. On android you can only use RCS in the Google Messages app and trying to build your own is explicitly blocked. [1] And of course the bonus that rooted devices are banned from RCS. All the propaganda Google spread to get Apple onboard (only with Google's blessing of course, Google could kick apple off if they wanted) was such a b…

> customers wanting to get in touch with your business can't Not technically true, though it can be more difficult. It's similar to how Apple Messages for Business works where you have to be given a URL (or QR code) to start a conversation with a business using RCS.

Re: RCS for Business

#22

Post by paxys »

gruez wrote: post #4

So is RCS a Google platform, like how iMessage is an Apple platform? It might theoretically be a GSMA standard, but from their marketing page and how it's implemented in reality, it seems like it's the former.

It's the same as how Android is technically open but the vast majority of users are getting the Google version.

Re: RCS for Business

#23

Post by jeroenhd »

kotaKat wrote: post #3

If RCS is supposed to be an open standard, then how come Google can gatekeep the "for business" bit for themselves?

They don't (https://www.twilio.com/en-us/messaging/channels/rcs, https://www.cm.com/rcs/, https://www.linkmobility.com/en-gb/channels/rcs, https://gatewayapi.com/rcs/, https://www.productsupport.esendex.com/what-is-rcs-messaging..., the list goes on).

Google makes RCS servers for carriers, host RCS themselves for carriers without RCS servers, and builds the most used RCS client app, so it makes sense that they're in the RCS monetization market as well, but you don't need to use them.

Google's pricing being displayed upfront while most others are listed as "contact us" will make Google much more attractive to small apps, of course.

Re: RCS for Business

#25

Post by hocuspocus »

jeroenhd wrote: post #18
dfajgljsldkjag wrote: post #7

It's unfortunate that RCS is basically a de-facto Google walled garden in most countries. On android you can only use RCS in the Google Messages app and trying to build your own is explicitly blocked. [1] And of course the bonus that rooted devices are banned from RCS. All the propaganda Google spread to get Apple onboard (only with Google's blessing of course, Google could kick apple off if they wanted) was such a b…

> trying to build your own is explicitly blocked Google doesn't offer an RCS API, but making your own API is not blocked, especially not on phones running MicroG. For standard ROMs, RCS apps are not feasible because carriers expect interaction with the SIM module, and only privileged apps can do that. Google Messages blocks root access (probably because the RCS spec says they have to if they ever implement the money…

> LineageOS, GrapheneOS, /e/, and all the others could build their own RCS client. They may not be able to register with Google, but they can make an RCS app nonetheless.

Building a spec compliant RCS client for the love of the game, I guess.

> but there's no need to pay Google a dime to make use of the RCS for Business specs.

Assuming we're talking of global RCS and not domestic deployments (China and Korea mostly) you pay Google indirectly in all cases as Jibe is monetized via A2P revenue share.

Re: RCS for Business

#27

Post by hocuspocus »

trollbridge wrote: post #14

RCS is basically spam-only messaging at this point. You can enhance your messaging experience by just turning it off.

This seems very specific to a few regions, India mostly.

Google is doing a really good job catching and blocking spam as far as I'm concerned. Even scammers aren't trying their luck over RCS in any way significant compared to Telegram, WhatsApp, or even iMessage.

Re: RCS for Business

#28

Post by browningstreet »

I had my family iPhones revert to RCS. We had to delete chats and reset settings and reboot phones to get iMessage connected between these contacts again.

And it’s weird how bad sms messaging on Google Voice is, still. RCS would be welcome.

Re: RCS for Business

#29

Post by hocuspocus »

zinekeller wrote: post #15
ianburrell wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

RCS is a standard, but it needs hosted services for providers. Providers can either host themselves, or contract with someone like Google Jibe Cloud. Also, Google provides services for Android for providers that don't have it. iPhone depends on the provider so has less coverage.

> Providers can either host themselves Outside of China, it is de facto a Google thing due to Jibe not really in mood to interconnect with others, plus the fact that Google actually shoehorns RCS in countries where they think they can get away with it. Your statement "iPhone depends on the provider so has less coverage" basically bares this one. Two example: 1. Japan has already a different provider-supported thing +…

Re: lawful interception, when carriers switch to IMS registration (as required by Apple) they should also get access to Jibe's standardized API for law enforcement tools (there's a spec for that, I forgot its name). However, just the fact RCS payloads are E2EE in Android-to-Android communications (and soon Android-to-iOS too, hopefully) might already be illegal in some places.

Google flip-flopping around its mobile IM strategy for a decade and then around carriers with RCS is getting harder and harder to understand. Pulling the rug under carriers in developing countries, who weren't interested in the drug dealer marketing tactics, is only going to solidify Meta's dominance, as doing business with WhatsApp has proven to be a much safer and saner bet all along.

Re: RCS for Business

#30

Post by tadfisher »

navigate8310 wrote: post #10
dfajgljsldkjag wrote: post #7

It's unfortunate that RCS is basically a de-facto Google walled garden in most countries. On android you can only use RCS in the Google Messages app and trying to build your own is explicitly blocked. [1] And of course the bonus that rooted devices are banned from RCS. All the propaganda Google spread to get Apple onboard (only with Google's blessing of course, Google could kick apple off if they wanted) was such a b…

> Businesses using RCS for Business can send messages to anyone, but customers wanting to get in touch with your business can't. Basically for blasting spam and ads, which RCS is already notorious for.

Ironically this is because of federation; if your carrier just uses Jibe (e.g. if you live in the US) then you don't deal with spam because Google has effective tools and a profit motive.

Also ironic: Google spent a decade forcing the world's carriers onto the worst messaging standard, only to end up where they started with Google Talk and XMPP; they are the only ones with significant market share on the protocol.

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