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Apple introduced loads of new iOS options in the course of the firm’s large WWDC 2024 keynote, from sweeping adjustments to Messages to a completely customizable Residence Display screen. However one announcement was merely thrown in with none fanfare on Apple’s half: RCS help.
Now, this wasn’t some bombshell new function: Apple had already confirmed it might be bringing RCS help to iOS final 12 months. Though the corporate by no means confirmed a selected timeline for the rollout, it appeared like iOS 18 could be the time for the corporate to official undertake the messaging protocol. Because it occurs, that hypothesis was right.
RCS coming to iOS means loads, however, particularly, texting somebody with an Android telephone goes to be a lot simpler. SMS, the present protocol iPhone to Android communications use, is outdated, and lacking most of the options fashionable messaging protocols come commonplace with at the moment. That features high-resolution picture and video sharing, functioning group chats, and typing indicators—to not point out end-to-end encryption. As an alternative, you get dangerous picture high quality, damaged group chats, insecure messaging, and, after all, inexperienced bubbles.
Apple took a very long time to undertake RCS, primarily as a result of it was good enterprise for them to make messaging the competitors an objectively worse expertise. However for quite a lot of causes, not the least which being a host of world governments cracking down on anti-competitive behaviors, RCS is coming to iOS with iOS 18.
Should you assume meaning the tip of inexperienced bubbles, nonetheless, assume once more: Apple did exhibit one screenshot of RCS in motion in its iOS 18 options listing, and also you could be forgiven at first look for pondering it was a typical iPhone-to-Android chat:
Credit score: Apple
Alas, that is RCS in iOS 18. You possibly can inform as a result of the picture of the crops is definitely seen, the Android consumer despatched a voice memo, and, after all, the label on the textual content subject reads “Textual content Message • RCS.”
It appears Apple determined to stay with inexperienced bubbles in any case: It needs you to know you are not texting an iPhone, even when it will probably not could make the expertise that dangerous. Solely time will inform if the “inexperienced bubble stigma” fades into obscurity: Will iPhone individuals decide Android customers much less now that texting them would not suck? Or will they perpetually see the inexperienced bubble as an indication that texting this particular person goes to be a drag?
What’s extra, will RCS help persuade some iPhone customers to change to Android, understanding that their iPhone pals will not need to cope with SMS anymore? That is Apple’s nightmare, and sure why it is promoting this function as little as potential.
