Published on November 16, 2023, 8:55 pm
Image source: Fox News
TLDR: Apple has announced that it will include support for RCS messaging on iPhones starting in 2024. This move is in response to pressure from Google, who argued that Apple's lack of support for RCS was a disservice to customers. While this update will improve issues with sending images and videos between iPhone and Android devices, there will still be a visual distinction between iMessage and other messaging protocols. The initial implementation of RCS on the iPhone will not be end-to-end encrypted, but Apple plans to work with standards bodies to establish universal encryption for RCS. Overall, this decision aims to enhance interoperability between messaging platforms while maintaining privacy and security standards.
Messaging on iPhone will include RCS support in 2024, according to Apple. After years of pressure from Google to adopt the flawed RCS system within iMessage, Apple has finally committed to implementing it next year.
While Android does not have a true alternative to Apple’s iMessage on the iPhone, despite attempts by the Nothing company and previous efforts by Google, Google has been arguing that Apple is failing customers by not supporting its nearest attempt, RCS.
Part of the pressure for Apple to adopt RCS has to do with the perceived stigma between blue and green text messages in iMessage and other platforms in the US. This distinction is not as noticeable in the rest of the world where WhatsApp has a greater penetration.
It remains unclear whether Apple’s support of RCS will give Android users the same blue button appearance as iMessage users. However, it should improve issues such as sending images and videos between iPhone and Android. Currently, Android users receive scaled-down images sent over traditional MMS in a group message chat.
Even though Apple is adopting RCS, there will still be a visual distinction between iMessage and other messaging protocols. The green bubble stigma associated with non-iMessage platforms is considered one of the greatest marketing tools ever and will be retained.
It’s worth noting that while Google has its own secure and private messaging platform called Google Messages, unfortunately, the initial implementation of RCS on the iPhone will not be end-to-end encrypted. However, Apple plans to work with standards bodies to mandate a universal version of end-to-end encryption for RCS rather than adopting Google’s addition directly.
Overall, this move by Apple signifies a shift toward improving interoperability between messaging platforms on different operating systems. It aims to enhance user experience by allowing seamless communication between iPhones and Android devices while maintaining privacy and security standards.
Original article posted by Fox News
