4 ms·

I wonder what's the play here. They seem to make noise about RCS recently and give it attention, even though it seems they'll be forced by the EU to open up the

I wonder what's the play here. They seem to make noise about RCS recently and give it attention, even though it seems they'll be forced by the EU to open up the iMessage system soon. Apple is not known for Google's "let's have 5 different communication apps at the same time", so... what's happening here?

SllX 3y ago
Probably the angle is to find some way to tell the EU to get stuffed as far as opening iMessage up goes. Apple only has to comply with the law. The issue is that the EC is on a high right now trying to see how far they can enforce control over US tech companies, so they might just go back and double down with more legislation if Apple finds a way to comply with the law without complying with the outcome the EC actually wanted.
vineyardmike 3y ago
There’s probably a few things at play. First, not every iPhone user can be iMessage-only and SMS is a shitty experience. In most non-US countries, they’re not winning the iMessage shame battle, they’re driving people to WhatsApp. They’d probably rather people use the built in messaging app, which will incentivize you to use iMessage. Secondly, getting more involved gives them opportunities to embrace/extinguish rcs (they said they won’t extend it). If they can use their market to force encryption on everyone, for example, that makes them look like the good guys against android makers. I could also see them trying to genuinely push UX improvements (eg stickers) on RCS and exiting iMessage from European Markets entirely. Finally, If the EU forces open iMessage, it’ll probably force open other messaging services, which gives RCS an opportunity to grow. See point 1 about them losing already in Europe. Or gives Apple a horse in the race even if they simply withdraw iMessage instead of opening it up.
- albert180 3y ago
  RCS is already End to End decrypted by default on Pixel Phones
  - vineyardmike 3y ago
    From the article: > Finally, Apple says it will work with the GSMA members on ways to further improve the RCS protocol. This particularly includes improving the security and encryption of RCS messages. Apple also told 9to5Mac that it will not use any sort of proprietary end-to-end encryption on top of RCS. Its focus is on improving the RCS standard itself. > For comparison’s sake, Google’s implementation of end-to-end encryption is part of the Messages app on Android rather than the RCS spec itself.
- TerrifiedMouse 3y ago
  Frankly, the color distinction was never about shame. iOS needs a way to let the user know that they are talking to someone without iMessage and that they are using SMS to do so because many carriers charge for SMS use.

SllX 3y ago

Probably the angle is to find some way to tell the EU to get stuffed as far as opening iMessage up goes. Apple only has to comply with the law. The issue is that the EC is on a high right now trying to see how far they can enforce control over US tech companies, so they might just go back and double down with more legislation if Apple finds a way to comply with the law without complying with the outcome the EC actually wanted.

vineyardmike 3y ago

There’s probably a few things at play. First, not every iPhone user can be iMessage-only and SMS is a shitty experience. In most non-US countries, they’re not winning the iMessage shame battle, they’re driving people to WhatsApp. They’d probably rather people use the built in messaging app, which will incentivize you to use iMessage. Secondly, getting more involved gives them opportunities to embrace/extinguish rcs (they said they won’t extend it). If they can use their market to force encryption on everyone, for example, that makes them look like the good guys against android makers. I could also see them trying to genuinely push UX improvements (eg stickers) on RCS and exiting iMessage from European Markets entirely. Finally, If the EU forces open iMessage, it’ll probably force open other messaging services, which gives RCS an opportunity to grow. See point 1 about them losing already in Europe. Or gives Apple a horse in the race even if they simply withdraw iMessage instead of opening it up.

albert180 3y ago
RCS is already End to End decrypted by default on Pixel Phones
- vineyardmike 3y ago
  From the article: > Finally, Apple says it will work with the GSMA members on ways to further improve the RCS protocol. This particularly includes improving the security and encryption of RCS messages. Apple also told 9to5Mac that it will not use any sort of proprietary end-to-end encryption on top of RCS. Its focus is on improving the RCS standard itself. > For comparison’s sake, Google’s implementation of end-to-end encryption is part of the Messages app on Android rather than the RCS spec itself.
TerrifiedMouse 3y ago
Frankly, the color distinction was never about shame. iOS needs a way to let the user know that they are talking to someone without iMessage and that they are using SMS to do so because many carriers charge for SMS use.