Android executive offers to help Apple deploy RCS messaging
A Google SVP in a tweet Thursday extended an "open invitation" to assist Apple should it choose to support Rich Communication Services (RCS), which is primed to succeed SMS as the next mobile-to-mobile text standard.
Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google SVP of platforms and ecosystems, did not mention Apple by name in the tweet, but alluded to the tech giant as "the folks" who can put an end to broken group chats involving iOS and Android users.
Lockheimer was commenting on a Twitter conversation sparked by a Golf Digest story about PGA Tour golfer Bryson DeChambeau, who is the odd one out in group texts because his Android texts appear as green bubbles in Messages strings. The official Android account responded with a reference to the Masters' green jacket in a message subsequently quoted by Lockheimer.
"Group chats don't need to break this way. There exists a Really Clear Solution. Here's an open invitation to the folks who can make this right: we are here to help," Lockheimer tweeted.
The "Really Clear Solution" reference is a nod to RCS, while the "open invitation" offer is obviously pointed at Apple, which has yet to commit to supporting the standard.
As noted by The Verge, which reported on Lockheimer's tweet earlier today, RCS is well on its way to becoming Android's default text messaging system. Google brokered deals with major U.S. carriers T-Mobile, AT&T and, most recently, Verizon, to preinstall the Messages by Google app on all Android devices sold on their respective networks.
RCS nets Android users features like typing indicators, read receipts, end-to-end encryption, Wi-Fi texting, dynamic group chats and more, niceties that have long been enjoyed by Apple device owners. Unfortunately, RCS is not compatible with Apple's proprietary messaging system, meaning texts sent between Android and iOS devices switch back to an SMS backbone.
Apple could be cajoled into adding support for RCS as more carriers adopt the standard, but for now it appears that the iPhone maker is content with blue bubble/green bubble conversations.
Read on AppleInsider
Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google SVP of platforms and ecosystems, did not mention Apple by name in the tweet, but alluded to the tech giant as "the folks" who can put an end to broken group chats involving iOS and Android users.
Lockheimer was commenting on a Twitter conversation sparked by a Golf Digest story about PGA Tour golfer Bryson DeChambeau, who is the odd one out in group texts because his Android texts appear as green bubbles in Messages strings. The official Android account responded with a reference to the Masters' green jacket in a message subsequently quoted by Lockheimer.
"Group chats don't need to break this way. There exists a Really Clear Solution. Here's an open invitation to the folks who can make this right: we are here to help," Lockheimer tweeted.
The "Really Clear Solution" reference is a nod to RCS, while the "open invitation" offer is obviously pointed at Apple, which has yet to commit to supporting the standard.
As noted by The Verge, which reported on Lockheimer's tweet earlier today, RCS is well on its way to becoming Android's default text messaging system. Google brokered deals with major U.S. carriers T-Mobile, AT&T and, most recently, Verizon, to preinstall the Messages by Google app on all Android devices sold on their respective networks.
RCS nets Android users features like typing indicators, read receipts, end-to-end encryption, Wi-Fi texting, dynamic group chats and more, niceties that have long been enjoyed by Apple device owners. Unfortunately, RCS is not compatible with Apple's proprietary messaging system, meaning texts sent between Android and iOS devices switch back to an SMS backbone.
Apple could be cajoled into adding support for RCS as more carriers adopt the standard, but for now it appears that the iPhone maker is content with blue bubble/green bubble conversations.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
—Kermit the Frog
Despite the tone of the tweet, adopting a universal standard that's set to replace SMS will benefit everyone. There isn't a need to segregate users by rejecting it.
More like they wish Apple would help them implement iMessage on Android.
Apple gains nothing and competitors gain what Apple is already doing. Bad business and takes away a great reason to use iOS.
3) Control of iMessage is of obvious strategic importance to Apple, but it also lets Apple set and control the direction and feature set of its default messaging service. If the RCS folks decide they want to take RCS in a new direction (say, adding send money features), and that direction isn’t where Apple wants to go, then we end up breaking parity again. Apple doesn’t want some other consortium of companies setting the strategic roadmap for iMessage features.
Unless Google relinquishes control of the RCS standard then it is IMHO DOA. As has been mentioned, Google could just drop it because it is not a money earner (or a huge data source for them). What happens then eh? Would Apple be up bovine excrement creek without a paddle?
I'm fine with anything that breaks WhatsApp's dominance as long as it's a global standard.
2. The answer to your question of timeframe is answered in the article. They had to get buy-in from all three carriers and Verizon just recently agreed. This has nothing to do with parity. There are apps and services across iOS, Android, and MS that don't have feature parity - and never have. This is about compatibility. Having the ability to enable, among other things, e2e encrypted messaging across platforms.
3. You're continuing the parity argument from your point 2. As I mentioned, parity isn't a goal. Neither is it a barrier. Parity doesn't exist in a lot of app and services. No one but Apple would be setting their iMessage roadmap.
The Wikipedia entry is certainly a good starting point to learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Communication_Services
https://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/news/144258-what-is-rcs-messaging-the-messaging-format-set-to-take-over-your-android-phone
Apple supporting RCS has zero downsides and one huge upside: Your messaging with not-Apple-account smartphones will be just as secure and private (in one two ways even more so, but ask how only if you really want to know) as doing so over iMessage with another iPhone owner. And Android users can be assured their messages aren't compromised when texting with you.
The only reason I have to keep using crap like Instagram, WhatsApp, Viber, SMS, etc. is because like it or not, a majority of people don’t have Apple devices and because some owners of Apple devices don’t use iMessage “because it costs money” (meaning they haven’t understood the difference between iMessages and SMS/MMS.
In other words the superior Apple user experience goes down the drain due to suboptimal Apple customer communication and the network effects inherent in telco standards.
RCS isn’t the solution, because it’s security can’t be trusted.