Chatbots are a way for users to interact with brands and complete tasks using conversational interfaces. For example, a restaurant can provide its customers with a chatbot that lets them easily place delivery orders within a conversation. Samsung RCS Messaging as a Platform (MaaP) enters this space on behalf of mobile network providers to provide an entire RCS-based chatbot ecosystem with a digital goods storefront. These work together to offer mobile network operators with new ways to generate revenue, give users new features that don’t require them to download another app and enable brands to interact with their customers in new ways.
Features
Chatbot features include:
Discovery
Chatbot discovery is built directly into the messaging app through search and directory functionalities.
Search for businesses, brands, and services, and select the corresponding chatbot.
Browse available chatbots using the directory and select a chatbot.
When a chatbot is selected, the user is brought to an introductory screen that provides details about it and lets the user add it to their contacts list.
Rich content experience
Chatbots can use any of the RCS advanced messaging services. This includes animated or static images, audio, video, suggested replies, and action buttons.
Mobile network operators have full control over which RCS services are available to a chatbot.
Privacy through anonymization
By default, conversations with chatbots are in anonymous mode. This is where an alias is used in place of a person’s identity.
Users have full control over their privacy settings on a global and chatbot-by-chatbot basis.
Spam protection
Users are only able to receive messages from chatbots that have their explicit consent to contact them.
Users can block individual chatbots and report chatbots for violations through the messaging app.
Availability
The availability of chatbots (online or offline) is indicated to the user.
