Samsung shakes things up by switching to Google Messages on the new Galaxy Flip and Fold

Date:
Tue, 23 Jul 2024 03:00:04 +0000

Description:
Google Messages is said to deliver a better experience on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold6, but much is still unknown.

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Samsung is dropping its first-party messaging app in the United States and making Google Messages the pre-installed option out of the box. The company made the announcement in a notice sent through the Samsung Members app.

It states that Samsung Messages will no longer be preloaded on the Galaxy Z Flip6 , Z Fold6 , and newer models. Google Messages is the new choice because it provides an enhanced experience by allowing users to express themselves securely, according to the notice.

Judging from the wording, the company seems to be talking about RCS , or Rich Communication Services. Google created this messaging protocol to greatly improve text messaging between Android phones.

RCS can send different file types beyond plain text messages, supports high-resolution images and videos, and protects your data via end-to-end encryption. Samsung Messages does support the protocol, but not in the same capacity as Google Messages, which is more widely available.

Samsung Messages is still available for download from the Galaxy Store, however a few of its features will be excluded. Which ones exactly are unknown, as neither the notice nor the app listing explains what was removed. Missing info

There is a good amount of important information missing. For starters, is the adoption of Google Message a global update?

Initial reports indicate the switch is only occurring in the United States, and industry expert Mishaal Rahman took to X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), writing that the Canadian and European builds for the Galaxy Z
Flip6 and Fold6 still have the first-party app pre-installed. Only US
unlocked [and] carrier units are seeing the update.

Additionally, its unknown if the switch will occur anywhere else. The notice mentioned something about newer models, but we dont know if the tech giant refers to the upcoming Galaxy S25 or the S24 series. There is a good chance these changes could roll out to older devices. Back in 2022, on the Galaxy S22, the company decided to make Google Messages the default RCS app while keeping its own software as a secondary option for users.

2024 has seen the two giants join forces in a wide-reaching partnership affecting multiple areas, from smartphones to artificial intelligence . Getting rid of one (arguably lesser) messaging app to support its
contemporary better might be Samsungs current mindset.

We reached out to Samsung asking if other models will be affected and if
there are plans to bring these changes globally. This story will be updated
if we hear back.

Be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best Samsung phones for 2024 . You might also like Google Messages could soon let you send higher-quality images over RCS The Galaxy Z Flip 6 comes with a hidden desktop mode that isn't Samsung DeX Samsung says avoid magnets and weightlifting while wearing the Galaxy Ring



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/software/samsung-shakes-things-up-by-switc hing-to-google-messages-on-the-new-galaxy-flip-and-fold


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