Google Urges Apple to Adopt RCS and Fix Cross-Platform Messaging
For those unaware, when an Apple user texts another Apple user over iMessage, they see a blue bubble. However, if an Android user starts a conversation with an Apple user, the latter will see a green bubble (switching over to SMS and MMS) for the texts an Android user sends. The Cupertino giant has created this disparity to remind users of the OS difference in iMessage. And well, it’s an inconvenience for users in many countries.
Google is not happy with Apple’s stance and has been urging them to switch over to RCS for interoperability. Since all its previous requests have gone to waste, the Mountain View giant has launched a public campaign to call out Apple for refusing to adopt RCS for its messaging service. Google has set up a dedicated “Get the Message” website, which lays out arguments for why Apple should switch to RCS and allow smoother messaging between iPhone and Android devices. Texting a friend with a different phone than you should be no problem… Right? @Apple? #GetTheMessage pic.twitter.com/Qa1TDkmUSK— Android (@Android) August 9, 2022
The Mountain View giant talks about the issues that Android users face while talking to iMessage users on iPhone. “It’s the blurry videos, broken group chats, missing read receipts and typing indicators, no texting over Wi-Fi, and more,” says Google on its website. Apple is refusing to adopt modern RCS standards and switching to SMS and MMS for Android users, adds the company. It has even come up with the “#GetTheMessage” hashtag, along with an easy link to tweet about this issue to Apple on Twitter.
Moreover, Google’s website also highlights social media posts and news articles that have talked about the blue and green bubble problem over the years. It also includes pointers for why Apple should switch to RCS and says that RCS is more secure (encrypted), allows users to share uncompressed images, enable texting indicators, read receipts, and all other modern messaging features. Precisely! People have talked about “green bubbles” as an Android problem. There are hundreds of millions of people around the world already using RCS – encryption, uncompressed images and all. If you’re an iPhone user, hopefully you’ll be able to get these capabilities soon too. https://t.co/uyeAIau8jf— Hiroshi Lockheimer (@lockheimer) August 9, 2022
Google SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer has also been rallying behind this cause and publicly tweeting about the benefits of using RCS and urging Apple to enable the same on their devices. The Cupertino giant, however, has kept mum on the issue. Do you think Google’s new campaign will finally get Apple to acknowledge its pleas? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
