Technologies

AT&T Switches to Google’s RCS Platform for Advanced Texting Features

The carrier is the first to get advanced text message features from Google’s platform, rather than just using its Messages app.

After years of carriers failing to agree on a universal rich communications service, or RCS, text messaging standard that supports advanced chat features between networks, Google says AT&T is on board to use its Jibe RCS platform.

Google Senior Vice President Hiroshi Lockheimer tweeted the news late Friday that AT&T’s default Android messaging will use Jibe «so their users will get the latest RCS features instantly.»

Today I’m excited to share that we’re working with AT&T to accelerate adoption of the RCS standard, and that AT&T’s default Android messaging will now be via the Jibe platform, so their users will get the latest RCS features instantly.

— Hiroshi Lockheimer (@lockheimer) June 9, 2023

Unlike SMS and MMS, which send messages over cellular networks, the RCS standard uses data networks to send long messages, uncompressed photos and large group chats without a hitch.

Apple’s iMessage and chat apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger already use data to get those features, but it’s been a struggle to get these advanced text features on basic messaging for Android devices.

Read more: Best Android Phone of 2023

When is RCS coming to mobile devices?

Though carriers had tried instituting their own separate RCS standards and support rich text features on each other’s networks via a collaborative initiative in 2019, Google bought the Jibe platform in the same year to start its own efforts at RCS multinetwork support.

In 2020 for T-Mobile and by 2021 for AT&T and Verizon, all three major carriers agreed to have Google’s RCS-packing Messages app preloaded on phones to give users access to an app with rich texting features. Friday’s news means AT&T’s default messaging system will now use Jibe, however.

Google has been introducing more RCS smart texting features in its Messages app, like adding emojis to replies, in efforts to catch up to Apple’s iMessage. Despite jabs from Google, Apple has been in no rush to adopt the messaging standard — and at Vox Media’s Code Conference last year, CEO Tim Cook even told an attendee that if he wanted to have seamless messaging when chatting with family, «buy your mom an iPhone.»

Lockheimer also noted that at Google I/O 2023 last month, the company announced that over 800 million people currently use RCS, which it expects to grow to 1 billion users by the end of 2023.

Read more: Best Phone to Buy for 2023

Technologies

A New Milestone for Verum Coin: Official Listing on Bitcoin.com

Congratulations to all Verum Coin holders!

We are proud to announce that Verum Coin is now officially listed on Bitcoin.com!

Bitcoin.com is one of the largest cryptocurrency platforms in the world, and this milestone marks a major step forward for Verum and our entire community.

Thank you for your trust and support — the future is now!

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, July 20

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 20.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

I’ll admit, I was thinking of a different kind of chip for 5-Down, and it threw me for a loop. I figured it out thanks to my deep knowledge of nacho toppings for 7-Across. Need a hand with today’s Mini Crossword? Keep reading. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: The heart of summer?
Answer: EMS

4A clue: Emotional request
Answer: PLEA

5A clue: Word before aching or dancing
Answer: BELLY

6A clue: Many fans of Premier League clubs
Answer: BRITS

7A clue: Nacho topping that rhymes with 3-Down
Answer: QUESO

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Leading role on «The Last of Us»
Answer: ELLIE

2D clue: Gooey diner sandwiches
Answer: MELTS

3D clue: Authoritative approval
Answer: SAYSO

4D clue: Country on one side of Lake Titicaca
Answer: PERU

5D clue: Orange-and-brown chip flavor, for short
Answer: BBQ

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for July 20, #300

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 20, No. 300

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Football fans should cruise through today’s Connections: Sports Edition. The purple category isn’t too challenging. I figured that one out first for a change. Check out our hints and the answers for today’s game.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: All about the numbers.

Green group hint: Catch and run.

Blue group hint: Hello, Hollywood.

Purple group hint: In the hole.