This means that iPhone users will be able to text their Android friends with iMessage-like features.
Seemingly giving in to the pressure, Apple announced on Thursday that it will support the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard, which will enable cross-platform messaging features between iPhone and Android users. These include iMessage-like functionalities such as read receipts, typing indicators, high-quality images and videos, and more, regardless of the operating system.
RCS is a modern messaging protocol that enhances the capabilities of traditional SMS and MMS. It allows users to send and receive messages over mobile data or Wi-Fi, as well as access various media and interactive features. RCS has been championed by Google for a long time, as they wanted to create a unified messaging experience for Android users.
Apple, however, was reluctant to adopt RCS as it wanted users to stick solely to iMessage. That’s set to change next year with an update that will be rolled out sometime in 2024.
In a statement to 9to5Mac, an Apple spokesperson said that RCS will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS, and that they will add support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association, later next year.
However, this does not mean that Apple will open up its iMessage protocol to other platforms. iMessage will remain Apple-exclusive, only with the update it will run alongside RCS. SMS and MMS will also still be available, but they will only be used as a fallback option when the other two superior protocols cannot be used.
Google has been lobbying hard for Apple to support RCS, as they wanted to bridge the gap between iPhone and Android users. They have launched several campaigns, such as “Get the Message”, to promote RCS and persuade Apple to join the bandwagon. They have also used their social media accounts, marketing videos, and even EU regulators to put pressure on Apple.
Samsung has also played a role in pushing Apple to adopt RCS, as they have been collaborating with Google to integrate RCS into their devices. But perhaps the biggest factor that influenced Apple’s decision was the European Union, which has been cracking down on Apple’s practices that limit competition and consumer choice. For example, the EU has forced Apple to adopt USB-C as a common charging standard for its devices.
The only question that remains is whether Apple will still use green bubbles to differentiate Android users from iMessage users, or whether they will finally get rid of the divisive feature.
Source:indianexpress.com