Once Apple updates your iPhone to support RCS, texting an Android user won’t be so harrowing.
In fact, it may almost seem like they have an iPhone of their own.
What is RCS?
RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, and is a messaging protocol similar to iMessage.
Unlike iMessage, however, RCS isn’t brand-dependent.
LikeiMessage, though, RCS is a feature-filled messaging solution.
These features are not groundbreaking.
They’ve been a part of rich messaging platforms, from WhatsApp to iMessage, for years.
But that’s not a criticism of RCS: The platform is nothing new.
It’s just Apple that is late to the party in adding support for it.
But times have changed, and the fact that SMS is still so prevalent is a shame.
Worst of all, it’s wildly insecure.
SMS is not end-to-end encrypted, so texting with the protocol puts your privacy and security at risk.
But, of course, there’s one company that hasn’t cooperated.
Searching for a solution
For years, Apple has been content with this situation.
It keeps people buying iPhones, after all.
With no solace in sight, people have been searching for a solution for years.
They even offer iMessage-like features, like end-to-end encryption for messaging.
Starting late next year, texting an Android phone won’t be the painful experience it is today.
It’s the same reasonthe company added USB-C to the iPhone 15.
Adopting RCS is different than offering iMessage on Android, and Apple knows that.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the company keeps the green bubbles around as an easy tell.
While Gen Z may care about the aesthetics, Gen Alpha will grow up in a different world.
The rest of the world uses a third-party app like WhatsApp.
It’s sort of like how we’re the only idiots who haven’t adopted the metric system.)
The change will also free you up in your choice of smartphone.
Sure, you’re able to stick with iPhone if you love everything else about the Apple ecosystem.
This is good news, people.
Whether you’re team iPhone or team Android, we all have something to be thankful for.
