Google Messages

[clitrenta]

Is there any way to change the appearance/background of Google Messages?

 

[Clementine_3]

Not really. Google, in general, doesn't offer much customization to it's apps. There are a bunch of (perhaps better) messaging apps with tons of customization options. Textra (and Chomp, same dev), and Pulse are my 2 favorites.

 

[clitrenta]

Not really. Google, in general, doesn't offer much customization to it's apps. There are a bunch of (perhaps better) messaging apps with tons of customization options. Textra (and Chomp, same dev), and Pulse are my 2 favorites.

I know but supposedly Google Messaging will be providing the same capabilities as iMessaging and in fact the Sprint Note 10 may already be doing this. Not all carriers are but Google is trying to create a collective of the carriers to start using this new protocol for messaging. Just trying to get ahead of the game. Also, by using Google messaging, you can also text from other devices such as Chromebook.

 

[Clementine_3]

I'm 100% positive that when RCS is released by Google the 3rd party apps will be all over it. I don't recall if Textra works with other devices but Pulse does - I use it all the time on my Chromebook.

 

[clitrenta]

I'm 100% positive that when RCS is released by Google the 3rd party apps will be all over it. I don't recall if Textra works with other devices but Pulse does - I use it all the time on my Chromebook.

To bad they're getting rid of Hangouts. I kind of miss it but maybe this will make it easier to text with "those" people (Apple)

 

[codesplice]

maybe this will make it easier to text with "those" people (Apple)

I don't think that Apple will be in a rush to support RCS - they've already got the sheep hooked on iMessage.

 

[clitrenta]

I had completely forgotten about Chomp. I used a long time ago but you're right in that it's a pretty good app, although Premium makes it much better

 

[Clementine_3]

To bad they're getting rid of Hangouts. I kind of miss it but maybe this will make it easier to text with "those" people (Apple)

Way back when Hangouts was great it's all I used. I could use both my carrier number and my Google Voice number, it was sooo nice. Then they "fixed" it and "fixed" it some more. Thanks!!

I don't think that Apple will be in a rush to support RCS - they've already got the sheep hooked on iMessage.

Yeah, they'll be switching right over My 'those' people try hard to remember to use WhatsApp for videos but they forget so I get crappy grainy crap from them. The whole thing is a hot mess...

 

[clitrenta]

Way back when Hangouts was great it's all I used. I could use both my carrier number and my Google Voice number, it was sooo nice. Then they "fixed" it and "fixed" it some more. Thanks!!
Yeah, they'll be switching right over My 'those' people try hard to remember to use WhatsApp for videos but they forget so I get crappy grainy crap from them. The whole thing is a hot mess...

Can't we all just get along?

 

[Hadron]

Yeah, they'll be switching right over My 'those' people try hard to remember to use WhatsApp for videos but they forget so I get crappy grainy crap from them. The whole thing is a hot mess...

My people just use WhatsApp.

Here in the UK SMS are basically free for almost everyone but MMS are expensive on most contracts, and so nobody I know uses MMS. And that includes iPhone users: they would only send media via iMessage to someone who they know uses an iPhone, because they don't want to pay the excessive charges MMS would incur. So it's generally simpler to use one of the internet-based messaging services anyway.

Apple of course want nothing to do with RCS precisely because a system that was universal (i.e. everyone has it, rather than just those who install the particular app) and cross-platform would remove one of their lock-ins. Same reason Job's early statement that at some point they'd make iMessage cross-platform was quietly forgotten...

 

[Hadron]

I'm 100% positive that when RCS is released by Google the 3rd party apps will be all over it. I don't recall if Textra works with other devices but Pulse does - I use it all the time on my Chromebook.

I'm pretty sure that Textra is a pure SMS/MMS client, so phone only. The only way you can do messaging from another device is if your messages are synced via a server (which Pulse SMS makes clear they do, with end-to-end encryption. How much effort Google make with your privacy I don't know - I just don't use their app, to be honest).

 

[clitrenta]

NEW: Google rollout of RCS chat for Android Begins Today (check out article of same title on The Verge). You have to use Android Messages as your default. Many phones already do but Samsung users will have to download it. Read the whole article to get the latest.

 

[codesplice]

See also: https://blog.google/products/rcs/upgrading-messaging-android-us-rcs/