Google has been pushing Rich Communication Services for awhile now, and now it's getting some more support behind its effort.
Google confirmed today that businesses like 1-800 Contacts, 1-800-Flowers.com, Booking.com, SnapTravel, and Subway are all collaborating to send RCS-enabled messages. These messages can include much more info than a traditional text message and be better formatted, too, easily showing you images, info like a hotel check-in time, addresses, and more.
RCS messaging is coming to more businesses in more regions in the coming months, says Google. There are currently 43 carriers and device makers working with Google on RCS.
When texting your friends, RCS has benefits like letting you see when other people are typing, delivery receipts, and an increased photo and video sharing limit of 10MB. RCS messaging has benefits for businesses, too, making it easier for you to get info on orders and reservations, buy items, and more, all without leaving your messaging app.
Google's Android Messages app supports RCS, and so you'll need that app installed to get this RCS experience.