The WhatsApp experience—now available in your phone's standard messaging app! Video calling feature set to launch soon...

Rich Communication Services (RCS) was first introduced by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) in September 2008 as a secure method for peer-to-peer communication. This standard offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE), meaning that intercepted text messages cannot be accessed by any third party. Now, the GSMA—the association that manages RCS and establishes the rules and standards for this protocol—has announced that, with the new RCS Universal Profile 4.0, it will introduce native video call support within messaging apps, along with rich text featuring expressive styling and rich cards capable of embedding video. However, Google and Apple have not yet announced the integration of this new standard.

RCS Universal Profile 4.0 Introduces Native Video Calls, Rich Text, and Rich Cards
On Thursday, Tom van Pelt, Technical Director at the GSMA, unveiled RCS Universal Profile 4.0, stating that the new RCS standard will bring native video call support to messaging apps—a capability made possible through the integration of the new Messaging-Initiated Video Calls (MIVC) feature. MIVC allows users to initiate video calls directly from the text messaging window, whether within a one-on-one text conversation or a group chat.

The GSMA noted that MIVC is also capable of allowing other group members to join an ongoing video call, much in the same way that WhatsApp operates. Users will be able to accept requests to join a video call even if they were unable to do so at the moment the call began. Furthermore, it is claimed that MIVC paves the way for the "first natively supported video call experience" capable of functioning across a wide range of devices and cellular networks. RCS Universal Profile 4.0 will also introduce Rich Text Messaging, enabling users to apply 'expressive' text styles to their messages. For instance, users will be able to format text messages in bold or italics, or strike through a word sent in error. The GSMA's RCS Universal Profile 4.0 also supports backward compatibility, meaning it will prompt users to review plain-text versions of their messages. Furthermore, it facilitates the exchange of higher-quality audio, video, and messages.

Finally, RCS Universal Profile 4.0 introduces "Rich Cards" for business senders, allowing them to embed links to streaming videos directly within their messages. This eliminates the need for users to download videos to watch them, as they can stream and view them directly within the messaging window. This also grants businesses greater control over how these links open, thereby reducing the need for users to navigate away from the chat window to perform specific tasks—such as viewing a restaurant menu. Conversely, for more complex tasks—such as making payments—businesses can redirect users to dedicated applications.

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