Earlier than Apple launched iOS 18.4 in late March, solely iPhone handsets linked to main U.S. carriers provided Wealthy Communication Companies (RCS) as a messaging possibility for iOS customers. For these unaware, RCS is the messaging platform that provides Android customers lots of the similar options that iPhone customers get when chatting with fellow iOS customers with the Messages app. Meaning RCS brings to Android customers:
- The power to ship longer messages.
- Excessive-resolution images and movies.
- Typing Indicators.
- Learn Receipts.
- Potential to share bigger information.
- Wi-Fi and Information connectivity.
After all, Apple being Apple, at first it would not enable iPhone customers to make use of RCS when messaging Android customers on the RCS platform. Regardless of Google continuously attacking Apple asking it to help RCS, it took the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) laws to make Apple really feel as if it had no alternative however to help RCS. As we famous, initially solely the three main stateside carriers provided iPhone customers the flexibility to make use of RCS when chatting with Android house owners.
As soon as Apple launched iOS 18.4, a number of T-Cellular MVNOs began hooking up their iPhone customers with RCS compatibility, and considered one of these companies, Mint Cellular, has begun sending emails to its subscribers urging them to make it possible for their iPhones are operating no less than iOS 18.4. With the replace to iOS 18.4 or later, these Mint Cellular subscribers will be capable of use RCS when chatting Android customers on their iPhones. Mint Cellular has additionally posted a web site for purchasers that explains what RCS is and the way subscribers can allow it on their iPhone or Android handsets.
One essential function of RCS not out there but for cross-platform RCS messaging is end-to-end encryption. At the moment, in-transit encryption is on the market for all messages despatched over RCS together with cross-platform chats. Because of this your chats are encrypted as they journey over the web between your gadget and RCS servers stopping your messages from getting intercepted by somebody “listening in” on the community.
Mint Cellular promotes RCS for its subscribers. | Picture credit-Mint Cellular
Google has at all times provided end-to-end-encryption (E2EE) on Android-to-Android messaging so long as either side used Google Messages. Apple has at all times provided E2EE on messaging between iOS customers. With each Apple and Google dedicated to finally providing end-to-end encryption on cross-platform RCS messaging, the iOS Messages app and iMessage will quickly not be a serious promoting level for cellphone consumers.Â
Throughout the Epic Video games v. Apple lawsuit, inner Apple emails from Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software program Engineering, indicated that the corporate considers iMessage cause why dad and mom can buy their children an iPhone. The emails from Federighi additionally claimed that the Messages app and iMessage had been massive explanation why shoppers need to keep contained in the Apple ecosystem.
