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Google Messages APK suggests you may soon able to edit messages after they're sent
A recent Google Messages beta included code fragments suggesting that users will be able to edit texts after they're sent.
DHS begins criminal investigation over deleted Secret Service texts from January 6th
Homeland Security has opened a criminal investigation into the Secret Service deleting messages relating to the January 6th, 2021 Capitol riot.
FCC proposes text support for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
An FCC proposal would let people text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline when calling isn't an option.
Major SMS routing company says it was the victim of a five-year hack (updated)
A company that routs SMS messages for major US carriers said it had been hacked for five years, but it's not clear how much damage was done.
Apple Messages is getting a host of new sharing features
Apple previewed new sharing features coming in iOS 15 for its messaging app that will make it easier to view photos, articles and music shared in your chats.
Google adds emoji reactions to Messages on Android
Google had been testing the feature since at least the start of March.
FCC makes 988 the 3-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
FCC designates 988 as the 3-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Google Messages may send iMessage-style 'liked a photo' reaction texts
It looks like Google Messages will soon let users send iMessage-like reaction text messages to people without Rich Communication Services (RCS). If the recipient doesn't use Google's next-gen text messaging, rather than see a thumbs-up bubble reaction, they'll get a written description, such as "liked a photo" or "laughed at a text."
RCS messaging comes to Windows 10's Your Phone app
When Samsung's new Galaxy S20 phones make their way to stores early next month, they'll be able to relay RCS messages to Windows 10 PCs. It's all thanks to Microsoft's Your Phone app, which the company is updating to enable it to send and receive RCS texts when paired with Samsung's Messages app. That means you'll be able to enjoy the protocol's tentpole features, such as typing indicators and read receipts, from your computer -- provided the person you're texting also has an RCS-capable device.
RCS messaging is now available to all Android users in the US
After years of delays and very limited rollouts, next-generation texting is finally available to all Android users in the US. Android Messages product manager Sanaz Ahari has confirmed that the American RCS rollout completed on December 9th, or a few weeks ahead of Google's end-of-2019 target. If you still don't have the rich chat technology, you'll want to be sure that both Android Messages and Carrier Services are up to date.
Google adds spam detection and verified business SMS to Messages
Businesses often send one-time passwords, account alerts and appointment confirmations via text. But if you've ever received one of those, you know they tend to come from a random number, and bad actors can take advantage of that by disguising phishing scams as one of those messages. To protect users, Google will soon verify SMS messages from registered businesses.
Google rolls out next-gen RCS texting to Android users in the US
At long last, you can get next-gen text messaging on your Android phone in the US without vendor-specific support or resorting to unofficial tricks. Google is rolling out Rich Communication Services (RCS) support to Android Messages users across the US. When it arrives, you'll be prompted to enable chat features in the app. RCS should be "broadly available" by the end of 2019, Google said.
Trick allows RCS messaging on virtually any Android phone
Google is trying to speed up RCS' rollout on Android, but you might have a way to enable it sooner than that. Reddit users have posted a trick that lets you enable the richer texting on any compatible Android phone, regardless of carrier. The process involves pointing a key Android Messages flag toward a Google sandbox address, setting up Messages, resetting data and repeating part of the process until you can tap an item inside another Messages flag. If all goes well, you'll have data-only chat abilities, full-quality photo sharing and typing notifications.
AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon team up to push next-gen RCS texting
For years we've been hearing about the potential of RCS, a protocol replacement for SMS that would bring iMessage and Whatsapp-like features to texting. Unfortunately there's been very little to show for it, with spotty support among carriers, and only Google and Samsung showing any real movement. Today the big four wireless carriers in the US -- AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon (parent company of Engadget) -- announced their "Cross-Carrier Messaging Initiative." It's a joint venture that they promise will "Create a single seamless, interoperable RCS experience across carriers, both in the U.S. and globally."
Google takes control of bringing next-gen texting to Android
Google's rollout of RCS chat to Android devices has been slow, and you can blame that partly on the carriers. As the next-gen texting format usually depends on networks adding support one at a time, compatibility has been patchy at best. Now, though, Google is ready to take matters into its own hands -- the internet giant will offer RCS services to Android users in the UK and France later in June, giving them an opt-in choice through the platform's Messages app. The company's Drew Rowny explained it to The Verge as a sort of peer-to-peer end run around the carrier-driven model.
Updated Mormon rules let missionaries call or text their families weekly
Until now, Mormon missionaries have only allowed to use phone calls or video chats to reach their families on Christmas and Mother's Day. After that, they'd had to rely on email or traditional letters. They'll have an easier time staying in touch from now on, though. The Church now permits missionaries to call, text, message or video chat with their families each week on preparation day (effectively, their break), not just two times a year. They're also encouraged to get in touch on other holidays.
FBI investigates fake texts sent to House Republicans
Law enforcement is looking into one of the stranger digital attacks against US politicians in recent memory. The Wall Street Journal has learned that the FBI is investigating fake text messages sent to "several" Republicans in the House of Representatives, including Illinois' Adam Kinzinger. The currently mysterious perpetrator posed as VP Mike Pence's press secretary, Alyssa Farah, and asked representatives for both their availability for meetings and the whereabouts of other politicians.
Android's stock texting app now includes anti-spam safeguards
Your Android phone's text messages could soon be relatively junk-free without needing help from carriers. Android Police has learned that Google is rolling out spam protection to the Messages app for at least some users. It's not clear just what the feature looks for, but Google is clearly aware of the potential privacy issues. While the company does have to transmit some message-related data to Google, it doesn't send any of the content itself.
FCC will allow carriers to block spam text messages
The FCC has rubber-stamped wireless carriers' ongoing efforts to block spam text messages. The regulator voted in favor of a ruling that labels SMS and MMS as information services under the Communications Act, giving telecoms permission to block unwanted messages. It simultaneously rejected bids from "mass-texting companies" and others to label text messaging as telecommunications services that would be subject to common carrier rules and potentially harder to block. On the surface, it's ideal -- carriers can continue to block spam texts en masse and fight spoofing attempts.
Google’s messaging app strategy is still a mess
The rumors were true. Google is killing Allo, its smart messaging app, for good. The platform will "continue to work through March 2019," the company said in a blog post, and users can export their conversation history until then. The so-called "classic" version of Google Hangouts, meanwhile, is slowly being sunset too. In a convoluted Twitter exchange, Scott Johnston, the head of Hangouts and Google Voice, explained to Stephen Hall, a 9to5Google reporter, that Hangouts users will eventually be upgraded to Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet, a Slack-like competitor and video chat service aimed at businesses and other GSuite customers. This sucks.
