Google Messages is rolling out reactions for SMS compatible with Apple iMessage

Google Message is getting the ability to react to SMS texts. While SMS is one of the oldest ways of sending text messages, some users prefer texting with their near and dear ones over SMS. For them and others who occasionally open text messages, they will be able to send an emoji reaction via SMS, which was only possible with RCS.

Some Google Messages users are able to react to SMS with an emoji 

Although the feature is not available to all the users yet, a recent 9to5Google report says that a few Google Message users are "able to react to SMS texts." The way it works is that Google Messages users have to press and hold a text message until they see seven emoji reaction options at the top. Then, they can click on the desired emoji reaction. Now, the reaction shows in two different ways to the recipient. 

If the recipient uses the Google Messages app, the emoji reaction appears at the bottom right corner of the message bubble. However, when the recipient is not using Google Message (or using an iOS device), the emoji reaction appears with a short message, highlighting what it has been sent as a reaction to in quotes. In a nutshell, the feature adds liveliness to the old way of texting others and bridges the gap between Google Messages and Apple's iMessage. 

This feature bridges the gap between Google Messages and Apple’s iMessage

For those who are catching up, the Google Messages app has supported Rich Communication Services, abbreviated as RCS, since 2020. It is a new messaging protocol that lets users share high-quality files, such as videos and photos, over boring text messages supported by SMS. However, Apple sticks to iMessage, a platform that works seamlessly between iOS devices but converts messages from Android phones to SMS and MMS. Google calls these, 'out-of-date technologies from the 90s and 00s' and has been after Apple to adopt RCS for quite some time.

However, Apple is not in the mood to pave the way for RCS. When asked about any plans to add RCS to iMessage at the Code Conference 2022, Apple CEO Tim Cook stated, "I don't hear our users asking that we put a lot of energy on that at this point." Though Apple is not making any efforts to improve cross-platform messaging, the Google Message update will surely enhance users' experience. 

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