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iPhone and Android users may be able to make interoperable video calls through their messaging apps — eventually. Last week, the GSM Association (GSMA) announced that the final RCS Universal Profile 4.0 standard will allow users to turn 1-to-1 or group RCS conversations into video calls thanks to a feature called Messaging Initiated Video Calls (MIVC).
“MIVC will ensure conversation continuity by allowing group members to join an ongoing video call that they were unable to accept when it started, as well as syncing MIVC logs within the chat timeline.” GSMA says. “When implemented, MIVC paves the way for the first natively supported and interoperable video calling experience across a wide range of devices and networks.”
However, Apple and Google have yet to announce support for this feature, so it’s not clear if or when you’ll be able to turn cross-platform chats into a live video call from your messaging app. Apple and Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
RCS Universal Profile 4.0 also supports text formatting, allowing users to add styles such as bold, italic, and strikethrough text in their messages, and allows users to share “higher quality” audio, video, and images.