An update has been primed for Verizon’s Galaxy S20 line this week and it provides more than just the typical security patches. Along with current security, Verizon has added in something called “Brand Chat” as a way for you to carry on conversations with the companies you love.
Verizon lists Brand Chat as an official feature of their Advanced Messaging, which is their own RCS client. They describe it as providing the ability to “Text with your favorite companies’ chatbots from your messages app.” They also note that those “Conversations are saved in your messages so you can read them when you need to.”
Is that a thing people do? No, but this sounds a lot like a feature that the carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) were banking big on as a part of that failed Cross Carrier Messaging service they once planned to make a few years back. Part of the reason they wanted to make an RCS world outside of Google’s was because of the idea that they could rope in brands and businesses to connect directly to customers. It sounded like absolute hell. Clearly, Verizon still has plans for that idea through their own Advanced Messaging.
The update also provides performance improvements and the April Android security patch.
The update is currently rolling out to the Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra with the following build numbers to be on the lookout for”
- Galaxy S20 Ultra: SP1A.210812.016.G988USQU2FVCC
- Galaxy S20+: SP1A.210812.016.G986USQU2FVCC
- Galaxy S20: SP1A.210812.016.G981VSQU2FVCD
On a somewhat related note, the Galaxy S20 FE is getting an update this week to One UI 4.1 with build SP1A.210812.016.G781VSQU6FVC1. The 4.1 update has been hitting most Samsung devices in recent weeks, bringing with it “Live Sharing in Google Duo, RAM Plus, App Cast in Smart View, Game Booster Labs, and Camera and Gallery enhancements.” It adds the March security patch too.
To check for all of these updates, head into Settings>System updates>Check for system updates.
this right here is why rcs is so fragmented carriers doing their own thing that isnt compatible with everyone’s. why are they resisting so hard just implement google jibe in stock messaging apps like T-Mobile. then turn it on by default cant turn it off, can turn certain features off but rcs must remain on end of discussion. than find a way to get iPhone on board but that can be a working progress. with this type of move android messaging will aways be so messy
This is so perfectly Verizon.
Got the update. I don’t have Verizon Messages installed so everything seems… normal… to me.
Great! I can’t get enough of chatting with bots.
See, this is one of the reasons why I love the iPhone. Apple won’t let the carriers get away with any kind of this bullsh*t!
Or just buy unlocked – not carrier tied, problem solved
Not everyone can afford to
Samsung is like a 500 billion dollar company and their devices are second to or on parity with Apple as far as popularity goes. They definitely have the clout to be able to make Apple-like moves.
everyone “can” afford to if the allocate their money/budget correctly. Exact same thing for car payments. Every car and phone I buy, I pay with cash. No payments, no interest. Companies are banking on people to make payments so they make money off of interest. While the interest may not be true for phones, phone providers such as verizon use their payment structure to keep you locked in to their service to make it harder for you to leave. I had a crappy phone for a few years until I saved up enough cash to pay for my next phone with cash. Then I just keep saving. I did the same thing for my cars. Now I own all 4 of my vehicles without ever paying for interest. And typically, dealerships will give you a incentive when you pay for cash.
We had different experiences. Went to buy a car cash and they told me in this case they would raise the price above what’s advertised. We went on hours about it and he explained it’s because they assume people are going to finance with a bank that they can sell at the advertised price and for cash it’s different and they raised the price for all cash transaction.
I would of went to a dealer. And then not discuss finances until you negotiate a price. Have to learn their game…
everyone “can” afford to if the allocate their money/budget correctly. Exact same thing for car payments. Every car and phone I buy, I pay with cash. No payments, no interest. Companies are banking on people to make payments so they make money off of interest. While the interest may not be true for phones, phone providers such as verizon use their payment structure to keep you locked in to their service to make it harder for you to leave. I had a crappy phone for a few years until I saved up enough cash to pay for my next phone with cash. Then I just keep saving. I did the same thing for my cars. Now I own all 4 of my vehicles without ever paying for interest. And typically, dealerships will give you a incentive when you pay for cash.
I’m tired of hearing this excuse 10+ years later. Samsung should have the balls to say “nah, not on my phone or I’m taking it off your network”. It’s absolutely insane that the carriers can still do this to Android phones.