US carriers ditch effort to build Android’s answer to iMessage - Android Authority

You might not want to get your hopes up for the growth of RCS chat in the US. Light Reading and Android Police have learned that AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon (disclaimer: this author also writes for Verizon-owned Engadget) have scrapped the Cross Carrier Messaging Initiative, a joint effort to bring RCS’ enhanced features to all Android devices on US carriers.

A Verizon spokesperson said the carriers “decided to end” the initiative, although the company didn’t say why.

AT&T offered an identical response to a request from Android Authority.