Samsung has joined Google in their #GetTheMessage campaign to urge Apple to adopt the RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard for messaging. They uploaded a short video highlighting the divide between green and blue bubbles, symbolizing text messages between Android and iPhone users. The video aims to emphasize the need for unity in messaging, questioning why users should be kept apart based on their choice of smartphone.
This move comes after Google criticized the iPhone as “outdated” for sticking with SMS/MMS instead of adopting RCS. The video serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate regarding Apple’s reluctance to embrace RCS messaging. Apple CEO Tim Cook has been firm in his stance, suggesting that Android users should switch to iPhones if they want to avoid the color disparity in messaging.
Google has been running the #GetTheMessage campaign for over a year, advocating for the adoption of RCS on iPhones. They’ve highlighted the advantages of RCS, such as improved group chats, better multimedia sharing, end-to-end encryption for text security, typing indicators, read receipts, and the ability to send messages over Wi-Fi.
While this campaign has been ongoing, there has been little movement from Apple in adopting RCS. However, the European Union (EU) has recently taken a step to encourage competition among tech companies by designating six major firms as “gatekeepers” under the Digital Markets Act. While Apple’s iMessage was not initially included, there’s a possibility that an investigation could lead to Apple adopting RCS by August 2024.
The push for Apple to adopt RCS is driven by the desire to provide a more consistent and advanced messaging experience for all users, regardless of their choice of smartphone. Samsung’s support for Google’s campaign indicates that the issue remains a significant concern for the tech industry and consumers alike.
