Google shares data about Apple’s RCS implementation in iOS 18 Messages

Whereas Apple is staying comparatively cagey about its implementation of RCS (Wealthy Communication Providers) within the iOS 18 Messages app, we now know extra about which model it plans to assist, because of Android Authority. The location factors to 2 items of uncovered proof, starting with a remark by Tim Atkinson — the EMEA Enterprise Improvement Supervisor at Google — who throughout a Cell Ecosystem Discussion board Connects assembly in December 2023 mentioned that Apple will assist RCS Common Profile 2.4, which usually consists of enterprise messaging options.

That assertion is backed by a GSM Affiliation doc from June 2021, explaining that new 5G-capable units bought in China need to assist Common Profile 2.4 at a minimal. Since Apple is deeply entrenched within the Chinese language market and unlikely to sacrifice billions of {dollars} exiting it, it successfully has no selection however to supply 2.4 or later. Some type of the Common Profile is necessary for RCS, because it ensures compatibility throughout units, platforms, and community operators.

It isn’t clear whether or not Apple will really assist RCS’ enterprise messaging options. That might enable issues like branding, higher-quality media, and advised replies, much like the Messages for Enterprise expertise inside iOS. That lets shoppers use the iOS Messages app to purchase merchandise or get buyer assist

Why is Apple including RCS to Messages?

Help for RCS is extensively believed to be Apple’s try and defuse competitors complaints about iMessage. The corporate has actively fought makes an attempt to convey iMessage to Android, to this point limiting interactions between iPhones and Android units to the outdated SMS/MMS format. Certainly iMessage is a selected focus of the US Division of Justice’s antitrust case in opposition to Apple — exclusivity means Android customers cannot even get end-to-end encryption when texting iPhone house owners, at the very least not and not using a third-party messaging service like Sign.

SMS/MMS is throwing in the towel regardless. It lacks assist for options like learn receipts, and pictures and movies despatched via MMS are compressed to a a lot decrease high quality than what trendy units and networks are able to. Help is unlikely to vanish utterly although, at the very least not for a number of years — “dumb” telephones aren’t able to something higher, and plenty of companies and governments nonetheless rely on SMS notifications.