Texting with emergency companies is about to get an improve. Beginning this winter, Google Messages will assist texting 911 via RCS.
Utilizing SMS to contact 911 is out there at simply over half of all emergency dispatch facilities within the US, however in these areas, individuals utilizing RCS will profit from a handful of latest options like location sharing and browse receipts. The timing of the announcement — simply days earlier than Apple is predicted to announce RCS assist in iOS 18 — might be no coincidence, both.
Google is working with an organization referred to as RapidSOS, which may already relay sure medical info to emergency responders for each iPhone and Android customers. As soon as enabled by an emergency dispatch middle, individuals texting that middle through Google Messages will see the same old indicators that they’re messaging over RCS. They’ll additionally see learn receipts and typing indicators when the dispatcher is responding.
RCS may even assist higher-quality picture and video sharing with first responders and can help you ship your exact location. Google says it’s working with its companions to develop RCS messaging with emergency companies and is “inviting the ecosystem to associate with us to offer dependable emergency messaging for everybody.” I can’t assist feeling that’s a nudge in Apple’s path, which is broadly anticipated to announce RCS assist at WWDC subsequent week.
