Google is working on a new service called 'Chat', which will soon be released by the company to enrich the messaging experience of Android.
This isn't the first time the company has tried to launch a unified messaging system. The company has previously experimented in this direction with Hangouts, Duo, Allo, and Android Messages, which weren't very successful.
Before you assume it's just another app like all of Google's messaging apps, you should know that it's basically not an app.
But what is Google Chat?
Think of Chat as an upgrade to the existing SMS feature on Android phones. It's based on Rich Communication Services (RCS), a new standard that will eventually replace SMS.
As reported by The Verge, Google Chat will bring many standard features found in any other texting app, such as delivery report, group messages, keyboard options, images and videos, etc.
Messages sent through Chat will use data. Just like iMessage, if the recipient doesn't have RCS enabled on their phone, they'll automatically receive the message in the updated version, and if not, they'll receive the standard SMS.
However, it's notable that unlike iMessage, Chat lacks end-to-end encryption, something similar to SMS that leaves your texts exposed to legal surveillance.
Since Google Chat is a carrier-based service and not a Google service, the company is trying to convince mobile providers around the world to adopt this technology as a replacement for SMS.
As many as 55 carriers, 11 OEMs, and two operating system makers (Google and Microsoft) have agreed to support RCS. The tech giant is optimistic that many of the carriers will enable Chat services by the end of this year, but there may be some that could cause a delay.
The newly formed Chat team will be led by Google's Anil Sabharwal, who was also behind Google Photos. He confirmed that the company is "pausing" development work on Allo to focus its resources on the new messaging system.
