Google Fi awaits Apple’s RCS support for iPhones, search widget gets custom shortcuts and Wear OS gets health upgrades
Top 3 Key Points:
- Google Fi waits on Apple to enable RCS support for iPhone users, despite iOS 18’s release.
- Google updates its iPhone Search widget with customizable shortcuts like Gemini and Lens.
- Wear OS smartwatches will soon get health upgrades through a partnership between Google and Masimo.
Google Fi and RCS Support for iPhones
With the launch of iOS 18, Rich Communication Services (RCS) is now available to improve messaging between Android and iPhone users. However, Google Fi is still waiting on Apple to enable this feature for its iPhone users. Google has already done the necessary technical work on its end, but only Apple can activate RCS interoperability for Fi users.
As of now, RCS is enabled on major U.S. carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, but not yet on other networks like Mint Mobile. According to 9to5Mac, enabling RCS requires an updated carrier file to be sent to Apple, which is then distributed through an over-the-air update. Currently, Apple’s support documents don’t specify when or if RCS will be enabled for carriers like Google Fi.
Google has expressed hope that Apple will enable this feature soon. As of now, Google Fi users with Android phones can use RCS to communicate with iPhone users, provided the latter has RCS enabled.
Google Search Widget Adds New Shortcuts for iPhone
Google has updated its Search widget for iPhone and iPad, introducing customizable shortcuts, including one for its AI platform, Gemini. Previously, the widget offered quick access to Lens, Voice Search, and Incognito Mode, but now users can personalize the shortcuts with options like Song Search, Google Translate, and even Google Lens features like homework assistance.
The ability to customize these shortcuts improves usability, allowing users to quickly access their most-used tools. Google is also working on a similar update for Android’s Search widget, though it might only allow one customizable shortcut next to Voice Search and Lens.
Wear OS Smartwatches Get Health Upgrades
Google is teaming up with Masimo, a health technology company, to improve the health-tracking capabilities of Wear OS smartwatches. The partnership will create a “reference platform” that helps smartwatch manufacturers integrate Masimo’s biosensing technology, which has been used in hospital monitoring systems, into future Wear OS devices.
This platform will offer a suite of health and wellness tools designed to provide accurate and reliable data, while also being compatible with Android smartphones. Manufacturers will still have creative control over the smartwatch design and features but will benefit from Masimo’s health tech expertise.
This collaboration is significant as Masimo has been involved in a legal battle with Apple over health-tracking technology in the Apple Watch. The dispute led to Apple disabling blood oxygen tracking in some of its latest models.