Google can snoop on Chats directly if the web service backing them is Google run. Even if they can't, a better default messaging experience will take business away from competitors like WhatsApp and Messenger.
It's neither like iMessage nor specifically for Android.
> Google can snoop on Chats directly if the web service backing them is Google run.
It's not, it's (like SMS) carrier infrastructure. Chat is just an RCS client app, RCS is the SMS replacement technology.
It will provide a similar experience, a default messaging client that gracefully enhances the SMS experience we're used to.
> nor specifically for Android
It's a standard, but considering Android is the biggest mobile operating system and the second biggest has it's own version of this, and the protocol is being pushed by the Android's creators, it's fair to say this is "for Android", at least at first.
> It's not, it's (like SMS) carrier infrastructure. Chat is just an RCS client app, RCS is the SMS replacement technology.
It's possible that Google would provide services to support it, the same way Apple provides the service for push notifications.
I'm eagerly awaiting the gracefully enhanced experience of receiving unsolicited rich-content spam.
EDIT: Just realised this abbreviates to RCS. Pure luck.
I think it's really being pushed by the carriers who want people to use it. Google is just implementing it.