Google Messages might soon give you the option to pressure those using SMS onto RCS
Google continues to double down on Rich Communication Services (RCS) support in Messages, and it's now preparing to roll out a feature that could give users some extra influence over their less tech-savvy contacts. According to findings in the latest open beta build of the Messages app (messages.android_20250618_00_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic), Google is working on a new prompt that appears when someone in your chat list isn't using RCS. If the app detects that your contact still hasn't enabled RCS or is using a different messaging app entirely, it may offer you the option to send a reminder SMS encouraging them to make the switch.
While the message is described as "friendly," the overall effect could easily feel like social pressure — especially if multiple contacts start sending similar reminders. The prompt will appear alongside the usual notification that messages are being sent as SMS or MMS, and from there, users will be able to send a message nudging their contact toward enabling RCS or installing Google Messages.
You may soon have the option to peer pressure your friends into turning on RCS. | Images credit — Android Authority
RCS adoption has grown steadily over the last few years, bringing a much-improved texting experience for Android users. It supports features like high-resolution media sharing, typing indicators, emoji reactions, and end-to-end encryption — all of which standard SMS simply can't offer. But for these benefits to work, everyone in the conversation needs to have RCS enabled and be using a compatible app. This new "reminder" feature seems designed to close that loop by enlisting current RCS users to help spread adoption. And it's not the only RCS-related update we've seen recently. As reported earlier, Google is also working on new RCS tags in Google Contacts to help identify whether a person has RCS turned on. In group chats, users will soon be able to rename the group and assign custom icons — a small but useful touch for organization.
While we're still waiting to see exactly when this new SMS reminder tool will be rolled out widely, the goal is clear: encourage users to move away from SMS and fully embrace RCS. Whether that approach will nudge holdouts or annoy them remains to be seen. Either way, it looks like Google is betting that a little peer pressure might just be the push needed to bring more people into the modern messaging fold. Secure your connection now at a bargain price!
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Phone Arena
2 hours ago
- Phone Arena
Fresh leak confirms Fairphone 6 comes with two-part backplate
Fairphone 6 is a true modular phone | Images credits: Beyond that, this is just a Receive the latest Android news By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy Fairphone 6 achieves Class A for repairability and durability | Image credit: Fairphone 6 is a rather compact device, which is why it sports a 6.31-inch LTPO-based P-OLED display with 1 to 120 Hz dynamic refresh rate. Due to the modular aspect of its chassis, Fairphone 6 is not waterproof, but it does feature IP55 certification, which makes it dust- and splash-resistant. One very important aspect about Fairphone 6 is that it achieved Class A for both repairability and durability. No confirmed release date is available yet, but rumor has it Fairphone 6 should be launched in Europe on June 25. The phone will be available for purchase for €550. Fairphone 6 is a rather compact device, which is why it sports a 6.31-inch LTPO-based P-OLED display with 1 to 120 Hz dynamic refresh rate. Due to the modular aspect of its chassis, Fairphone 6 is not waterproof, but it does feature IP55 certification, which makes it dust- and very important aspect about Fairphone 6 is that it achieved Class A for both repairability and durability. No confirmed release date is available yet, but rumor has it Fairphone 6 should be launched in Europe on June 25. The phone will be available for purchase for €550. Beyond that, this is just a mid-range phone just like the previous models. For example, Fairphone 6 is expected to pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, coupled with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB of internal storage (expandable up to 2 TB via microSD slot).The 4,415 mAh battery might be rather small by today's standards, but Fairphone 6's advantage is that it can be easily replaced with a new one. It's also worth noting that the phone's battery supports 33W wired charging speeds. More importantly, Fairphone 6's battery is apparently rated for at least 1,000 charging cycles, while its life is claimed to be around 53 hours. Grab Surfshark VPN now at more than 50% off and with 3 extra months for free! Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area. Fairphone 6 is the next modular smartphone from the Dutch company with the same name. The device features the same rectangular form factor as its predecessors but adds a bit more customization into the the title says, Fairphone 6 was rumored to come with a two-part backplate , which owners can customize. New pictures showing the phone from all angles have been recently shared by , thus confirming what started as phone will be available in Horizon Black, Forest Green, and Cloud White, but the backplates will also be available separately so that customers can create different combinations. This is the Fairphone 6's 'shtick' and possibly one of its main selling points.
Phone Arena
4 hours ago
- Phone Arena
Meet the Oakley AI glasses, a more robust successor to the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses
Meta Oakley smart glasses Oakley and Meta partnered up for these AI-powered smart glasses. | Video credit — Oakley Would you ever buy smart glasses that don't have a display? Yes No Undecided Not interested in smart glasses Yes 0% No 0% Undecided 0% Not interested in smart glasses 0% Ray-Ban glasses were an unprecedented success The Ray-Ban smart glasses were very popular. | Video credit — Meta When the Ray-Ban smart glasses took off, Meta immediately restructured Reality Labs: its XR ( Extended Reality ) division. The idea was to focus much more heavily on similar wearables that are affordable and don't have a display, yet are extremely practical due to AI. This strategy has caught the attention of competitors like Apple, which is also experimenting with releasing a similar product. Apple is working on proper AR glasses too, of course, but something like the Oakley and Ray-Ban smart glasses is a currently achievable product that is proven to be in demand. A stepping stone towards AR smart glasses The Meta Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses are, in my eyes, an intermediary step between smartphones and proper AR smart glasses. Meta, as you may know, is working on the On the other hand, Apple CEO The Meta Oakley smart glasses will become available for pre-order in the coming months and cost $399. A limited edition $499 model will be available for ordering from July 11. When the Ray-Ban smart glasses took off, Meta immediately restructured Reality Labs: its XR () division. The idea was to focus much more heavily on similar wearables that are affordable and don't have a display, yet are extremely practical due to strategy has caught the attention of competitors like Apple, which is also experimenting with releasing a similar product. Apple is working on proper AR glasses too, of course, but something like the Oakley and Ray-Ban smart glasses is a currently achievable product that is proven to be in Meta Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses are, in my eyes, an intermediary step between smartphones and proper AR smart glasses. Meta, as you may know, is working on the Orion smart glasses . A consumer version is expected to launch around 2027, though a version with a simpler display make come out later this the other hand, Apple CEO Tim Cook is obsessed with making Apple the first company to bring consumer-grade AR smart glasses to market. I'm quite excited to see what these companies are able to offer in a few years, and if they manage to replace the Meta Oakley smart glasses will become available for pre-order in the coming months and cost $399. A limited edition $499 model will be available for ordering from July 11. Grab Surfshark VPN now at more than 50% off and with 3 extra months for free! Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area. When Meta launched the second-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses in 2023, the company did not foresee just how popular they would become. Following that unprecedented success, today Meta has announced a successor to the Ray-Ban smart glasses: the Oakley AI performance collaboration with Oakley wasn't just for a flashy new design — and they look pretty neat — it's also for enhanced functionality. Meta Oakley smart glasses are built with the outdoors in mind. The glasses have almost double the battery life of the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, and come with water resistance as can also record videos in 3K resolution, a way for Meta to encourage more people to use these when they're out having a good time. The standard features of the Ray-Ban glasses — taking photos, making calls, and getting answers from Meta AI to name a few — are also present.
Phone Arena
4 hours ago
- Phone Arena
Google Messages might soon give you the option to pressure those using SMS onto RCS
Google continues to double down on Rich Communication Services (RCS) support in Messages, and it's now preparing to roll out a feature that could give users some extra influence over their less tech-savvy contacts. According to findings in the latest open beta build of the Messages app ( Google is working on a new prompt that appears when someone in your chat list isn't using RCS. If the app detects that your contact still hasn't enabled RCS or is using a different messaging app entirely, it may offer you the option to send a reminder SMS encouraging them to make the switch. While the message is described as "friendly," the overall effect could easily feel like social pressure — especially if multiple contacts start sending similar reminders. The prompt will appear alongside the usual notification that messages are being sent as SMS or MMS, and from there, users will be able to send a message nudging their contact toward enabling RCS or installing Google Messages. You may soon have the option to peer pressure your friends into turning on RCS. | Images credit — Android Authority RCS adoption has grown steadily over the last few years, bringing a much-improved texting experience for Android users. It supports features like high-resolution media sharing, typing indicators, emoji reactions, and end-to-end encryption — all of which standard SMS simply can't offer. But for these benefits to work, everyone in the conversation needs to have RCS enabled and be using a compatible app. This new "reminder" feature seems designed to close that loop by enlisting current RCS users to help spread adoption. And it's not the only RCS-related update we've seen recently. As reported earlier, Google is also working on new RCS tags in Google Contacts to help identify whether a person has RCS turned on. In group chats, users will soon be able to rename the group and assign custom icons — a small but useful touch for organization. While we're still waiting to see exactly when this new SMS reminder tool will be rolled out widely, the goal is clear: encourage users to move away from SMS and fully embrace RCS. Whether that approach will nudge holdouts or annoy them remains to be seen. Either way, it looks like Google is betting that a little peer pressure might just be the push needed to bring more people into the modern messaging fold. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area.
