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What you need to know
Google Messages is enhancing its user experience by introducing color-coded indicators to differentiate between RCS and SMS/MMS messages. Users engaged in RCS chats on both Android and iOS will see their contact names displayed in pastel colors inspired by Material You design. Additionally, a small RCS badge will appear next to the names of contacts using the RCS format.
Currently, while the Google Messages app provides various visual cues to distinguish RCS conversations from traditional SMS/MMS within the chat list, these indicators are not visible when initiating a new conversation. However, a recent APK teardown by Android Authority suggests that this may change in an upcoming update.
In this beta version of the Google Messages app, RCS users now see a small badge next to their contact names when creating new chats. After selecting the Start chat option, users can spot which of their contacts are RCS-enabled through the presence of the badge, while SMS/MMS users will not have any such indication. This new feature is available for RCS users across both Android and iOS platforms, marking a notable development in cross-platform messaging.
Moreover, the New conversation section also showcases contact names of RCS users in pastel colors, shifting from the default black to more visually appealing shades. These colors are particularly prominent in light mode, enhancing visibility compared to dark mode. This method is similar to Apple’s approach, where iMessage users are denoted in blue while standard SMS users appear in green.
This feature is particularly useful for contacts with multiple phone numbers, as it allows users to discern which numbers support RCS. The visibility of RCS badges and color coding can be advantageous in scenarios where only RCS messaging is available, such as during Wi-Fi dependence when mobile coverage may be lacking.
As this feature is currently in the beta phase of the Google Messages application, it is likely to be introduced to the stable version in due course. The timeline for an official rollout remains uncertain, as Google has not clarified its plans in this regard.
Source
www.androidcentral.com