NEW YORK: Apple has officially announced its adoption of the Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging system, set to be rolled out via a software update in 2024. This move aims to introduce a host of iMessage-style features, enhancing messaging capabilities between iPhone and Android users.
After years of pressure from Google, Apple has decided to develop RCS systems, making the iOS platform more versatile and competitive with Android devices. The upcoming support for RCS Universal Profile, a standard published by the GSM Association, is expected to offer a more seamless interoperability experience compared to SMS or MMS. This integration will complement iMessage, which Apple affirms will continue to be the premier and most secure messaging experience for its users.
An Apple spokesperson commented, “Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.”
Apple’s Adoption of RCS Messaging System
Apart from external pressure for Apple to adopt RCS, there has been a perceived stigma in the US associated with the distinction between blue (iMessage) and green (other messaging platforms) text messages. This distinction is less significant in the rest of the world, where WhatsApp tends to be more popular than iMessage.
The impact of Apple’s adoption of RCS on the appearance of messages for Android users remains unclear. While it is uncertain whether Android users will have the same blue button appearance as iMessage users, the move is expected to address issues related to sending images and videos between iPhone and Android devices. In group message chats, Android users are expected to receive higher-quality images, improving the overall messaging experience.
