Chat is Google’s big answer to Android’s messaging problem

• Google is planning to change the way messaging works on Android. Again.
• Its new service, called Chat, will be based on the Universal Profile for Rich Communication Services standard.
• Currently, 55 carriers and 11 OEMs are said to be onboard for the project.

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Google is planning to introduce some huge changes to the way messaging works on Android through a new messaging service called Chat. As reported by The Verge, Google hopes the new service will finally bring messaging on Android up to the same standard as its rivals, including, most notably, Apple.

While Google has made plenty of attempts at a messaging service before, Chat would appear to be quite different. Unlike Allo, Hangouts, and Android Messages, Chat will not be an app. Instead, it will attempt to upgrade the existing Android Messages app with a new set of underlying carrier-based features.

Instead of using SMS, Chat will be based on based on the Universal Profile for Rich Communication Services standard.  This means it will be able to include many features found on other messaging services such as read receipts, group texting, and the ability to see when others are typing. The cost of sending a message could also come out of the user's data plan, meaning it could be much cheaper than SMS, although exact pricing will be determined by each carrier.

Much like Apple's iMessage, users will also be able to send messages to people whose phones don't support the service. In this case, the message will be sent as an SMS and you will be charged accordingly. This makes it much more than a simple messaging app as Google are actually trying to change the way the default messaging works on Android phones.

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Of course, Google can't do this alone. The report states that Google has been trying to get the backing of every major cell phone carrier on the planet, and has reportedly seen some considerable success in the U.S. Currently, 55 carriers (including AT&T and Verizon), 11 OEMs, and Microsoft are all said to have agreed to support the standard. According to the report, nobody knows when or if Apple will get on board.

Now that so many big players are involved, the article suggests that the service will be rolled out by Google in the near future. It apparently hopes that Chat will be turned on for many users by the end of the year.

Next up: Get ready to text from your desktop using Android Messages

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