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Google explains why it feels sorry for iPhone users stuck with iMessage

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By Anam Hamid

Published: Mar 25, 2023, 12:59 PM

Google explains why it feels sorry for iPhone users stuck with iMessage

Texting is such a basic feature that most of us don't give much thought to it. But Apple knows that it can capitalize on instant messaging to keep users locked into its ecosystem and compel Android users to switch to iOS. Google has been trying hard to get Apple to move to the Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol for a seamless messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices but Apple is in no mood to listen. Google thinks Apple is putting its users in harm's way with this behavior.

RCS was created by GSMA to replace SMS and MMS and allow users to have a richer texting experience with support for group chats, images, videos, read receipts, and end-to-end encryption. Android users can enjoy RCS messaging by downloading Messages by Google from Play Store.

Apple has its own messaging service called iMessage but it's only for Apple users. iMessages appear in blue bubbles on Apple devices whereas messages sent by Android users appear in green text bubbles and are treated like SMS/MMS messages. That's why, messaging between Android phones and iPhones is broken. Google's Senior Vice President of Platforms and Ecosystems Hiroshi Lockheimer believes this can create problems for iPhone users.

Talking to 9to5Google's Max Weinbach, Lockheimer pointed out that it was GSMA who approached the company to bring support for RCS. In 2019, the company introduced RCS Chat to make it easier for users to access RCS without needing to rely on carriers. Google’s RCS service has more than 500 million users.

Google doesn't want RCS to replace the likes of WhatsApp or Snapchat. But since this is the default way to communicate for most users, Google wants the experience to get better. That can't happen without Apple's cooperation.

Our research shows that the typical person uses 3 to 4 messaging apps, whether that’s WhatsApp or Snap. That’s great. We’re not trying to build RCS into the one app to rule them all." - Hiroshi Lockheimer

Apple is free to pick and choose the elements of RCS that it wants, such as improved security. This way, the fancier features would still remain exclusive to Apple devices. But the company has made it clear that it won't do that.

If an Apple user uses the Messages app to talk to an Android user, the messages will be sent as traditional SMS messages and won't be secure. So, at the end of the day, Apple is doing a disservice to its users, and this makes Lockheimer feel bad for iPhone owners.

Since you mentioned Apple, I’ll just mention, they talk about how privacy is a human right and how important that is to them. I feel like, “look here’s a technology that’s available now…” Now I just feel bad for the iPhone users who are going to experience the degraded features, it would be great if they could bring that to them. And better security for them as well. You know Android users are fine, they’re texting each other with total security and all that stuff, and now it’s kind of bizarre because now when they interact with iPhone’s we’re going to have to deal with a degraded security experience." - Hiroshi Lockheimer

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

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