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A new era of texting has begun: 3 Ways Apple’s RCS Adoption Changes The Texting Game

For years, Apple has relegated text messages with Android users to outdated SMS/MMS technology, leading to frustration for consumers, with the infamous “green bubble” often signaling a subpar experience for cross-platform communication. Now, in a significant move that’s set to reshape the messaging landscape, Apple is finally adopting Rich Communications Services (RCS), the modern messaging standard. 

With the rollout of iOS 18, Android and iOS users can now experience more inclusive communications and enjoy high-quality media sharing and more seamless group chats. Apple’s adoption of RCS is a major milestone that benefits the entire smartphone industry, and it’s especially good news if you’re considering a switch from iOS to Android. 

In fact, 20% of new motorola razr users have switched from iOS devices, demonstrating growing interest in the flippable form factor, innovative smartphone features, and stylish design. A more seamless messaging experience makes the transition easier than ever.

Whether you’re a current Android user or thinking about switching to a Motorola device, here’s what you need to know:

What’s improving

Apple adopting RCS enables key features like high quality media sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and seamless group chat management, no matter your device. Android smartphone users have been able to use RCS features for years with Google Messages. Now, users will have the same benefits with cross-platform communications.

Why it matters:

  • A modern messaging experience for everyone. Both Android and iOS users will benefit from the improved communication experience enabled by RCS. Features like high-quality media sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and easy group chat management make cross-platform conversations smoother and more enjoyable for all users.
  • A more inclusive digital environment: It shouldn’t matter whether you have the same device as your friends. By increasing the compatibility between messaging platforms, we ensure a more inclusive communication environment for everyone.
  • A step towards bridging the digital divide: Universal RCS adoption marks a significant step towards breaking down the digital divide and promoting equality in mobile communication. By eliminating many of the cross-platform messaging quirks that have contributed to the “green bubble” stigma, RCS helps to level the playing field and ensure that all users, regardless of their device, have access to the same advanced messaging features.

There’s More Work To Do

Though progress has been made with RCS, there’s still work to do. There are other RCS texting features that Apple can implement, like reactions to media, or in-line replies, to make conversations between iOS and Android users better for everyone.

In the meantime, celebrate green and blue bubbles becoming friends by making sure your friends with iPhones have the latest OS. Learn more on  Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn, and explore more benefits of RCS on android.com.

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Pushing Boundaries: Motorola and Corning’s North Pole Expedition

At Motorola, a Lenovo company,  we’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with mobile technology, and our latest collaboration with Corning Incorporated takes that mission to a whole new level. By combining our unparalleled innovation with Corning’s expertise in glass technology, we embarked on a unique journey to the North Pole to test the limits of the camera technology and overall durability of some of our newest smartphones —the motorola razr+/ razr 50 ultra and motorola edge 50 ultra.

RAZR 50 ULTRA in the North Pole

Motorola followed Po Ki Yuen, a recently retired Corning engineer and adventure photography enthusiast, on his journey to one of the Earth’s most remote and challenging environments. The North Pole expedition was more than an adventure—it was a real-world test of how these cutting-edge devices could perform under extreme conditions. Motorola’s sleek smartphones, equipped with exceptionally durable Corning® Gorilla® Glass, were put to the ultimate test while on this journey: the unpredictable weather of the Arctic.*

“There’s beauty everywhere on the planet, even in the toughest conditions. I want to capture all of it,” said Po Ki. “Not only was the North Pole a physically tough environment, but the remoteness challenged me mentally as well. I was really eager to put these devices and Gorilla Glass to the test.” 

“Over the years, Corning’s advanced materials have played a critical role in helping Motorola deliver smartphones that not only combine strength and style but are also built to last”, said Ruben Castano, VP of Design and Consumer Experience at Motorola. “This latest collaboration at the North Pole is a testament to the shared values of our partnership as we push the boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to the performance of our devices in even the most extreme environments”.

Equipped with Corning’s renowned Gorilla Glass, motorola razr 50 ultra/razr+ and motorola edge 50 ultra were better protected from drops and scratches brought on by the inhospitable landscape, ensuring that Po Ki never missed a moment. Whether it was hiking through snow or handling equipment in freezing temperatures, our devices provided Po Ki with a seamless content capture experience.

pictures of landscapes in the North Pole, taken with the motorola razr 50 ultra/ razr+ and edge 50 ultra
Taken with the motorola razr 50 ultra/ razr+ and edge 50 ultra

“Corning and Motorola have a long history of collaborating to create devices that are incredibly durable – no matter where life takes you,” said Dave Velasquez, Vice President and General Manager, Corning® Gorilla® Glass. “Whether you’re stepping out of your front door on your daily commute or setting off for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure like Po Ki, Corning has engineered Gorilla Glass to be tough enough to meet the moment.” 

In addition to testing the devices’ durability, Po Ki took advantage of his advanced camera technology to capture the stunning landscapes and wildlife. For example, the Photo Enhancement Engine made it effortless to capture perfect photos with every shot. No personal expertise required, it uses AI to simultaneously apply settings from multiple shooting modes into one to deliver peak quality. From gorgeous, high-resolution landscape photos and videos to close-ups of polar bears, Po Ki was able to finetune every image for optimal detail, clarity, highlights, shadows, color, and bokeh, perfectly conveying the vastness and serenity of the Arctic. 

a picture of the landscape in the North Pole, taken with the motorola razr 50 ultra/ razr+
Taken with the motorola razr 50 ultra/ razr+

The motorola razr 50 ultra/razr+ compact and foldable designs also made them ideal for travel in such an environment. The sleek form factors of the razr+ and razr made them easy to carry on long hikes. Whether folded up in a pocket or used to capture wide Arctic landscapes, the devices proved both beautiful and functional.

a picture of a person capturing an image with the razr 50 ultra in the North PoleNow, Motorola and Corning are excited to bring this epic North Pole adventure to the world through a month-long social media campaign. Starting today, the campaign will showcase Po Ki’s stunning photography and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. Throughout the campaign, we’ll be sharing stories of durability, photography, and design across our social platforms, highlighting the incredible capabilities of our devices in one of the harshest environments on Earth.

Stay tuned as we take you on a journey to the top of the world, sharing content that demonstrates the power and beauty of Motorola’s latest smartphones.

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Motorola showcases the versatility of tomorrow’s AI at Lenovo Tech World ‘24

AI has opened up a new world of possibilities for innovation at Motorola, giving us more opportunities to take everyday tasks and make them extraordinary. We’ve evolved our approach to AI over the years, but with a continual focus on improving the user experience. moto ai advances this mission to transform the smartphone user experience across three core areas: assist, capture, and create. This means moto ai can take actions to help users get things done effortlessly, empower users to capture the world around them, recall it at a moment’s notice and provide users tools that inspire creativity.

This year at Lenovo Tech World ‘24, we’re taking those three pillars to the next level with new concepts and AI features that truly center around our users’ wants and needs, so they can enjoy everything AI has to offer today and take a glimpse into our vision for the future.

Moto ai offers effortless interaction and personalized assistance

Motorola is exploring what is possible by incorporating Large Action Models (LAM) with the power of moto ai. With this proof-of-concept software, Motorola’s LAM can understand your environment, learn from your behavior to offer personalized responses,  and translate natural language into actions and seamlessly execute them on your behalf. The result is a contextually-aware personal assistant, delivering human-like interactions through natural language.

At Tech World ‘24, we showcased how users can state “order me an iced americano”, and moto ai will locate the nearest coffee shop and place the order for them, letting them know when it will be ready for pick up. This can also work for frequent actions like requesting an Uber. Users just say where they want to go, and moto ai will use their location to confirm the ride, and give the user details about the driver, type of car, pick-up spot, and ETA. 

As the LAM learns a user’s habits and preferences, the more useful it becomes. In the future, it could automate daily tasks like alarm setting, morning coffee orders, playlist selections and more.

Advanced moto ai features that are personal, collaborative and intuitive 

moto ai builds on the years of experience Motorola has embedding AI into many areas of our devices, including camera, battery, display and device performance. At Tech World ’24, Motorola announced that its new moto ai experiences are in beta program. We plan to progressively expand beta invites throughout the year.

The Catch me up prompt helps users save time by providing a prioritized summary of personal communications, so users don’t have to endlessly scroll through the notifications they missed. Prompting to Pay attention helps users recall specific instructions or details without having to write notes or listen to long recordings. It enables recording of conversations or speakers, which is then transcribed and summarized for users to review. And the Remember this command captures live moments or on-screen information when triggered, instantly saving them with smart, AI-generated insights. When a photo is taken, moto ai uses a LLM in the background to pull in key details, context and facts about the captured content. These memories are personal and saved only when the user chooses. They are stored locally and protected on the device. Memories can be recalled anytime with a simple question. It’s like having an intelligent assistant that turns every snapshot into a story waiting to be rediscovered. 

As we continue to refine moto ai, we’ll incorporate consumers’ feedback along the way, aiming to create even more personalized experiences that better anticipate needs and make everyday interactions smoother and smarter.

New Smart Connect features that integrate AI, boost productivity and connectivity

When Motorola launched Smart Connect, our vision was to create a seamless multi-device experience by unifying the Motorola and Lenovo ecosystems. At Tech World ’24, we gave a preview of how we’ll take that experience to the next level with AI-powered features that make Smart Connect more intuitive, human and enjoyable.

With Intelligent Awareness, users will effortlessly manage their devices through natural language commands, allowing them to discover, connect, and control everything from smartphones to IoT devices, all within a fully integrated ecosystem. Smart Connect harnesses the power of Hybrid AI, selecting the best AI model for each task to boost both productivity and creativity—whether through Magic Canvas or the AI-powered PC creator zone. This means that through Smart Connect, traditional devices that don’t have built-in AI tools can become AI-enabled as well.

Smart Connect now provides users the ability to seamlessly share personal data across their connected devices.1 Cross-device searches and smart actions, provide users the ability to find and transfer files, launch specific apps and find relevant photos on all connected devices with a simple command. Users can also activate moto ai features directly from their PC with commands like “Catch me up,” providing a quick summary of the most important personal communication notifications.

On top of this, Meta and Motorola are collaborating to extend smartphone capabilities to Quest headsets, meaning users can access messages, their favorite apps and more without removing the headset. In the near future, you’ll see Smart Connect in the Meta Horizon Store – stay tuned.

Smart innovation for today and tomorrow

As AI continues to grow and evolve, Motorola is investing into new features and concepts that are focused on enhancing the user experience on every level. Whether AI is used to simplify difficult or tedious tasks or explore new ideas and nurture creativity, moto ai has the power to transform the smartphone experience and everyone’s lives—and it’s only getting better with time.

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Motorola is redefining the mobile experience with new experiences powered by Google

At Motorola, a Lenovo company, our commitment to delivering cutting-edge experiences continues through our partnership with Google, ensuring that our consumers enjoy seamless and innovative interactions across their devices. From advanced AI-powered search tools to smarter messaging and photo editing, we are redefining how users connect with the world around them. As we continue to collaborate to make everyday tasks more intuitive, efficient and personalized, we’re providing our consumers with access to the seamless innovations that come from two industry leaders working together. 

Here’s a glimpse into some of the latest experiences we’re bringing to our users:

Simplify finding information with Circle to Search with Google

Imagine being able to search for something without having to switch between apps. That’s exactly what Circle to Search offers — a new way to search on select Motorola smartphones¹ with a simple gesture. With just a circle, highlight, scribble or tap, users can instantly get the information they need without leaving the app they’re in. Whether they’re browsing social media and come across an unfamiliar term, spot a pair of shoes they’d love to buy, or want to learn more about a restaurant’s menu, Circle to Search lets users search what they see on their device, no screenshots necessary. Plus, users can now search a song they hear in the moment by activating Circle to Search. When listening to music on their device, users simply need to long press the home button or navigation bar and tap the music button to identify the track. 

Circle to Search on Motorola UI powered by Google
Experience free-flowing, natural conversations with Gemini Live⁵

Chat with Gemini, your AI assistant from Google to supercharge creativity and productivity.  And now thanks to Gemini Live, users can engage in more natural conversations. With Gemini’s conversational abilities, users can skip the typing and engage in verbal dialogues, making communication feel more intuitive. They can speak back and forth with Gemini and receive concise verbal responses, making conversations feel more casual. Whether they’re looking for event ideas, gifts or trip plans, Gemini can help them brainstorm out loud, offering fresh ideas. Users can deep dive into topics that interest them or rehearse for important events, like job interviews or presentations, with Gemini Live’s guidance. Users can easily access Gemini Live through the Gemini app, which comes pre-installed in the external display of motorola razr+/motorola razr 50 ultra and motorola razr/motorola razr 50.² 

Enjoy smarter, more personal messaging with Rich Communication Services

Google Messages on Motorola devices provides consumers with all of Google’s advanced messaging features. And with support for RCS (Rich Communication Services⁴), the modern texting standard, Google Messages is changing the way we connect. Taking personalization to the next level, Google Messages gives you the option to customize the bubble color and backgrounds of your conversation and the person you’re communicating with and film and send a selfie GIF, making each chat feel more unique. Users can also easily continue their conversations on a phone, tablet or computer without missing a beat.

RCS messaging powered by Google

And with RCS enabled⁴, users will also benefit from high-quality image and video sharing, typing indicators, message delivered and read receipts as well as enhanced group chats when texting with iPhone users. Plus, Motorola and Lenovo users can take advantage of Smart Connect for an even more seamless cross-device experience.

Messaging is also becoming smarter, thanks to Google’s AI-powered tools that enable features like Gemini in Google Messages and Magic Compose.  When looking for suggestions or help with tasks like planning or finding gift ideas, users can chat with Gemini directly via Google Messages. Magic Compose offers users ways to craft stylized, suggested responses, for effortless communication. For example, this feature offers context-aware responses, saving time and ensuring messages sound natural. Users can take this a step further by rewriting a message in a more formal or fun tone like Shakespearean, enabling them to communicate more effectively in any setting.

Edit, organize and search Google Photos with AI

With Google Photos as the native photo app on Motorola smartphones, users gain seamless cross-device access to their images, thanks to integration into the Google ecosystem. This allows for seamless sharing, collaboration and cloud back-up with automatic syncing. Additionally, Google’s advanced AI editing features like Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, and Photo Unblur empower users to fine-tune their memories with ease. 

With Magic Editor, generative Al helps you edit your photos. This allows users to reposition subjects, improve backgrounds and adjust image elements with simple gestures, making complex edits easy.

Our continued partnership with Google ensures that our users have access to tools that simplify and enhance their daily lives. We’re committed to continuing our extensive partnership to deliver the best solutions for Motorola users. 


Legal disclaimers

MOTOROLA, the Stylized M Logo, MOTO and the MOTO family of marks are trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. Google, Gemini, Google Photos, Android, and other marks are trademarks of Google, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2024 Motorola Mobility LLC. 

  1. Only available on select devices.
  2. Only available in English.
  3. Only available in the U.S. 
  4. Availability of RCS varies by region and carrier.
  5. Gemini mobile app available on select devices, languages, and countries. Internet connection required. Check responses for accuracy. Gemini Live feature is only available with a Gemini Advanced subscription.
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