CNET
RCS: What It Is and Why iMessage Won’t Support It
RCS is replacing outdated SMS text messaging. It brings features like read receipts, typing indicators and high-resolution image and video sharing. 0:00 – What Is RCS? 1:33 – RCS Obstacles 3:11 – RCS vs iMessage 4:21 – Google’s Pushback on iMessage 6:58 – How to Enable RCS Subscribe to CNET: Never miss a deal again!…
Mike Wolf
July 7, 2022 at 7:45 pm
People don’t seem to understand, Apple users don’t want RCS. iMessage was marketed to Apple users for its exclusivity and closed ecosystem. Apple users made a choice and they’re happy with it.
Sam
July 7, 2022 at 7:48 pm
Apple is Bullying these kids to get Iphones. So sad!
Edicson m
July 7, 2022 at 7:48 pm
RCS has been around for a few years why talk about it now?
LC
July 7, 2022 at 9:57 pm
Because it’s rolling out widely to Android phones, and US carriers are starting to support it?
Brandon Mullin
July 7, 2022 at 8:03 pm
The real question is, ‘What technical reason is keeping Apple from adopting RCS? Who hosts the content? Is there adequate encryption? What legal requirements does supporting it does Apple have to commit to? Who wants royalties to be paid to them to use it?’
Phillip M
July 8, 2022 at 12:10 am
Cause it was created, stored and is a product and is being pushed by google. Kinda like if I gave you car but said you had to park it at my house every night and I lived 20 miles away, but you have a bike to get work which is across the street. You don’t need the car and it’s just a waste of you time.
Phillip M
July 8, 2022 at 12:10 am
Also not a very good car
utoob81
July 7, 2022 at 8:06 pm
Why would anyone with an IQ over 40 care about the color of a text bubble? If all can communicate between operating systems, be grateful and stop the childish “my color is better than your color” nonsense. From the dawn of home computing, Operating Systems have insisted on remaining proprietary, and we have still managed to communicate with each other. Use the OS/App you like and get over it.
Dovydas
July 7, 2022 at 9:23 pm
It’s not about that. It’s that we can’t send each other decent size pictures and video. When an iPhone user sends a short video to my Samsung, I get an extremely compressed and blurry version.
Tri edge
July 7, 2022 at 8:44 pm
idk i can see why apple doesn’t want to freely give google integration into their messaging system. given all the questionable data collection google in general is known for. I prefer apple being protective either for profit or to actually protect my data i don’t mind. way it is atm seems like the right move.
LC
July 7, 2022 at 9:52 pm
This has nothing to do with Google collecting data. Apple still uses SMS for non-iMessage chats. It seems like a win for everyone if they enable RCS fallback (except Apple, they could possibly lose phone sales).
Kingjay814
July 7, 2022 at 9:00 pm
Personally I don’t see the attachment to iMessage. I’m a fairly new iOS user but it doesn’t seem that much better in all honesty. I think basic services like messaging should just be universal
RickOShay
July 7, 2022 at 9:01 pm
Ever heard of Whatsapp. It still amazes me that so many Americans – most using iphones still use basic and outdated messaging systems. Many have never even heard of or used Whatsapp for example.
Like they’ve been left in a time warp and the rest of the world mostly Android users moved on years ago. Apple seems to be falling further and further behind in so many areas these days.
Dovydas
July 7, 2022 at 9:15 pm
Ok but then you have to always be like, “hey can you download this app so we can have rich text” And then remember which people have whatsapp and which don’t so you know which app to use when texting them.
Alexander
July 7, 2022 at 9:49 pm
@Dovydas No because if everyone uses WhatsApp then you just chat thru WhatsApp and that’s the standard worldwide right now. I never ever have to ask anyone if they have WhatsApp. I just message them thru there. And I’m american living in the states and I’m an iPhone user and I never use iMessage. I chat with all my friends on WhatsApp.
Erwin Iskandar
July 8, 2022 at 12:17 am
@Dovydas Have you using WhatsApp? You don’t have to remember because it’s already in contact (WhatsApp) and outside US, everyone used it.
Waynepiks
July 7, 2022 at 9:09 pm
Why isn’t this enabled by default?
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July 7, 2022 at 11:07 pm
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VantaVoid
July 7, 2022 at 9:11 pm
WhatsApp fixes all these issues. I left iPhone for Samsung and it’s embarrassing how bad the default video quality is. Told everyone to download WhatsApp and the problem was solved. It feels better than iMessage as well to use. Blue text bullying is for childish teens, and if you are an adult and don’t respond because of green text bubble then you need to grow up.
Dovydas
July 7, 2022 at 9:21 pm
Yeah but then you have to ask everyone to remember to download some app and use it when texting you. That’s the main issue.
Alsadek Alkhayer
July 7, 2022 at 9:13 pm
I pay for my phone, Google uses it!
Same goes for my laptop, Windows and Chrome took over the resources 🥲
Still room for slowing down MY hardware? Enter Facebook and WhatsApp 🤷🏻♂️
Indiana DIY
July 7, 2022 at 10:08 pm
I use Signal on both My Android and Apple devices. I only use encrypted messengers and Signal is my Top choice!
JoystickJester
July 7, 2022 at 10:29 pm
Unfortunately I only have 1 person that I text with that has an Android phone and we both have RCS enabled. Everyone else, including my family have Apple phones and it can be a problem when trying to chat to each other in a family group text.
I wish Apple would just get on board with RSC texting and stop acting like they are only and best texting messaging app out there. RCS is not going to hurt them in any way, they just don’t want to do it.
Load Musics
July 7, 2022 at 10:56 pm
In my country 90% of people uses WhatsApp no body i ever seen use i message and all are android users at least 90% uses android and all uses WhatsApp so no body cares how iMessage is or work
Load Musics
July 7, 2022 at 10:57 pm
But it is a bad thing for apple not using RCS i hope it is in my phone but not every one knows about, cos sms cost so much
Load Musics
July 7, 2022 at 10:58 pm
I wish they will enable RCS in all devices and at once stop sms in all android too, just make it available so nobody will have to go and do the enabling work rather anything u want it it is defaultly enabled
wutchamacallit
July 7, 2022 at 11:12 pm
2:01 this sounds stressful and seems like a lot of hoops to jump over. Just get an iPhone. They’re more affordable now with the SE models and you get the same features as the flagship models. Did I mention you can text internationally with iMessage at no additional roaming charge. Did I just ignite another comment war?
Phillip M
July 8, 2022 at 12:04 am
Maybe cause RCS is created and funded and stored by google and SMS isn’t.
AL
July 8, 2022 at 12:13 am
The female host has a very soothing voice! Love it! Bring her more!!
Owen Iozzio
July 8, 2022 at 12:17 am
With message editing and recall Apple HAS found a way to make iMessage ultra exclusive beyond simply existing only on I-devices. Maybe this OPENS the door to their adopting RCS.
Bruh
July 8, 2022 at 12:23 am
RCS is good when it works, other times it doesn’t like to work for me. Apple doesn’t to FOSS and Google isn’t really into FOSS so they are both being stubborn
Doy Roberto
July 8, 2022 at 12:38 am
Honestly, Apple doesn’t have any motivation to do RCS. Why would they spend resources for something that really doesn’t benefit them? It feels like Google really didn’t focus so much on messaging until it was too late. And is now forcing Apple to adopt something that they really dont have to.
Mr A Cybertron
July 8, 2022 at 1:02 am
Asia use Whatsapp.
Me when Your mom
July 8, 2022 at 1:03 am
I farted
Hanniel Bowe
July 8, 2022 at 1:23 am
This isn’t new whatsapp does this
ThinkPad22
July 8, 2022 at 2:00 am
I really liked Allo.
RFID
July 8, 2022 at 2:08 am
Most android users outside of US use whatsapp. So RCS is just a nice addition.
Jay White
July 8, 2022 at 2:25 am
I love using iMessage on my iPhone
Zach
July 8, 2022 at 3:11 am
I’d buy an iPhone.. the problem is their phones are no longer the best tech.. infact the best iPhone today is missing so many features that’s consider standard on my Samsung. All they have is a different color bubble? Lame
T. Daniels
July 9, 2022 at 12:28 pm
I’ve got family members that literally chose iPhones only because of the color of the chat bubble in order to fit in with their friends. I feel sorry for people that have such a need to fit in with the crowd that they’ll spend hundreds of dollars on a phone they don’t even like all that much.
Zach
July 9, 2022 at 1:02 pm
@T. Daniels I know several people like that.. its why Apple does it.. they can’t compete tech for tech it’s not even comparable nowadays.. The only way to drive new sales is to keep the “cool factor” with a blue bubble that’s it. But everytime it’s group photo time everyone’s like let’s use his phone our 12 MP is horrible 😆
A Bachelor's Life
July 8, 2022 at 3:29 am
I don’t like green bubbles
RkoIsLife 1738
July 8, 2022 at 3:50 am
YOURE POOR!
JR B
July 8, 2022 at 4:41 am
Simple answer I believe… In the US we value exclusivity over inclusivity… Why else would we keep using apps that does not level the playing field of communication with minimal loss of the communications must haves?
Talha Mukhtar
July 10, 2022 at 3:40 am
Nah I just really don’t trust the company that makes the most popular 3rd-party messaging apps. WhatsApp is bad and I don’t want to have to make an account with Meta when I already have a secure, private, high-quality messaging app built into my iPhone
Matthew Datcher
July 8, 2022 at 4:42 am
4:21 Funny isn’t it that Lockheimer complains that iMessage doesn’t support RCS when Google Voice still doesn’t support RCS (and at the rate Google is going probably never will). Talk about trying to remove the speck from your brother’s eye while ignoring the plank in your own eye. Try leading by example, Google.
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Wayno Guerrini
July 8, 2022 at 7:01 am
Great video. Thank you. I use Textra on my Android phone. I wish Ma Bell (aka AT&T) would adopt this.
Claro1993
July 8, 2022 at 8:22 am
I’m using an iPhone but the carrier that I’m using can’t use iMessage 😂.
John Ekow
July 8, 2022 at 9:37 am
I think rcs should be adopted on all platforms for simple texting where people aren’t forced to download 3rd party apps to chat with others
M T
July 8, 2022 at 10:54 am
Thanks to Steve Balmer’s screwball brain, Apple will always be the only one reliable phone system. Google and its pillow partners will never even come close to Apple’s reliable systems and its commitment to long-term security and software updates. Windows phone was the only viable other option had it not been picking its nose when the race started.
Brent Cooper
July 8, 2022 at 11:45 am
Why doesn’t RCS come enabled out of the box? Would this not make adoption quicker?
Talha Mukhtar
July 10, 2022 at 3:42 am
Carriers. One of the things Google has to do to get carriers on board with RCS at all is to make it an option for users rather than the default. Carriers have been the main barrier to RCS success for years, and it’s strange that this video made no mention of their continuing meddling
Way
July 8, 2022 at 11:57 am
So this is Google’s new flavour of the month messaging service?
Juan Perez
July 8, 2022 at 3:54 pm
I’m like the only one in my family that doesn’t have an iPhone lol I’ve used Android since the 1st droid 🤷
Seizrn Uhie
July 8, 2022 at 4:08 pm
WhatsApp is certainly more dominant in certain regions so irrespective of IOS or RCS adoption in Android, people would still use WhatsApp…
MegasXLR
July 8, 2022 at 6:39 pm
Why’s this a big deal though, we have Messenger, Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, etc.
iSprint4GEyes
July 8, 2022 at 8:58 pm
who cares about having a green bubble when talking to ios users. don’t think it’s a big deal
Penda Shangula
July 8, 2022 at 11:35 pm
“But finally” is something all these tech shows have said about RCS for the past 4 years
Ethan Moore
July 9, 2022 at 12:12 am
I have an iPhone and turn iMessage off. I don’t see what the big deal is,honestly; I would rather have a consistent bubble color than a few features that I would use only occasionally.
Rustam Khasanov
July 9, 2022 at 1:53 am
Morning!
And thank you for the info!
Saddly, I’ve just checked, that feature is supported by my carrier in Russian Federation.
Anyways, have a great day!
You Tube
July 9, 2022 at 10:41 am
Time for the good old EU to get involved again & sort it out. 👍
Øystein
July 9, 2022 at 11:29 am
Whot? “finally” ?👀😅
I have been using RCS for years now in norway and its great.
And there have been quite a few updates in the larest years.. Maybe cnet should get an update🤷♂️
Warren Skipper
July 9, 2022 at 5:41 pm
We lazy Americans aren’t willing to do anything other than turn on our devices. We definitely aren’t going to dig into the settings or download any other messaging app. Chat features need to be turned on by default (like iMessage on iPhones) in order for it to be ubiquitous within Android (at least here in the US).
Cards_Fan420
July 9, 2022 at 7:12 pm
why doesn’t Google just have RCS enabled by default when you start up your Android device..
Peligroso Tortuga
July 10, 2022 at 5:40 am
I use Telegram. And my friend do too, at least the ones i care to chat with.
And franky, I don’t mind SMS for other basic communications. Using Simple SMS
norman maucha
July 10, 2022 at 9:11 pm
the feature should work out of the box like default without activating it
Timothy McSwain
July 11, 2022 at 3:53 pm
Stating that Apple won’t support RCS in iMessage shows a lack of understanding of what iMessage is. The app is called Messages, the service is called iMessage. iMessage doesn’t support SMS or MMS — the messaging app supports SMS, MMS, and iMessage. (Messages supports sending as SMS when iMessage doesn’t send properly, for example, but that’s the app and not iMessage itself)
I see no technical reason why Apple couldn’t support RCS in Messages alongside iMessage, apart from the desire to give iMessage (and therefore iPhones) a larger separation from their competitors. That does get them more sales… but for customers really thinking about it, we should feel insulted that Apple doesn’t allow us better communication with users outside their ecosystem all in the name of squeezing out more sales from on-the-fence users (or peer-pressured teenagers who feel the need to have iMessage for social acceptance, because kids are mean to each other)
As for the “stigma” around bubble colors in Messages… I don’t doubt some people are petty and actually stigmatize others for green message bubbles, but for the rest of us it’s annoying to use SMS because it’s such an outdated standard and so many features are lost as a result. SMS bubbles tell me I need another method to share quality photos/videos or PDFs, among other things. By not adopting RCS, Apple is making the UX worse for their own customers and penalizing us for the phone choice of someone else. That’s asinine, and honestly it should make us upset with Apple — they may not be nearly as greedy as Google, but they’re still guilty of corporate greed.
Perhaps it’s time for carriers to mandate RCS adoption. If it became default on Android and they discontinued SMS/MMS the way they are 3G, it would force Apple to adopt RCS.
Moses Munthali
July 11, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Isn’t the European Union going to force apple to adopt RCS eventually?
Seems apple only listens to the European Union.