4 ms·

The other story people are missing here is that even if this wasn't a security issue, iMessage is adopting RCS next year, so the whole blue/green bubble thing w

The other story people are missing here is that even if this wasn't a security issue, iMessage is adopting RCS next year, so the whole blue/green bubble thing will become much less relevant.

btown 3y ago
Even if RCS makes messaging with non-Apple devices more reliable, I‘d assume Apple would continue to use blue for Apple devices only, solely from a branding perspective. Despite all the things regulators are pushing them on, it seems reasonable that a brand can provide aesthetic-only markers for mutual users of the brand.
- hprotagonist 3y ago
  not to mention that RCS isn’t encrypted.
  - meepmorp 3y ago
    google has added e2ee in their implementation but it's not part of the standard, i think they use the signal protocol rcs is too controlled by carriers for my liking. it's very much an sms replacement, rather than a protocol that treats the cell network as merely a data layer
    - hbn 3y ago
      Apple is implementing RCS as the actual standard, not Google's implementation. Which is the right move, if RCS is going to happen, Google should not be controlling it. Apple said they're planning to work at getting encryption build into the actual standard.
borissk 3y ago
The whole blue/green bubble thing is how Apple got something like 80% market share in probably the most valuable demographic in the world - US teenagers. They are no going to let it become less relevant without a desperate fight.
nadc 3y ago
As far as I've read so far Apple is adding RCS support to the Messages app, aka alongside SMS & MMS: https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/16/23964171/apple-iphone-rcs-support https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/16/23964171/apple-iphone-rc... It's not clear if iMessage will interoperate via RCS, which is what would make blue/green bubbles less relevant. My assumption would be no as they'd cede moat, and there isn't much of a network effect for them to gain from.
- hbn 3y ago
  Apple is not changing anything about how iMessage works, it's clear in their statement in the article you linked: > We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.
narrator 3y ago
I'm on Android and don't SMS with hardly anyone these days. I just use telegram channels or signal messenger.
- art0rz 3y ago
  Right? Even if RCS is adopted by every major manufacturer, it's far too late to grab any market share. Everyone uses iMessage/WhatsApp now. Text messaging is dead, even if you can send gifs/stickers/group chats/video/etc.

The other story people are missing here is that even if this wasn't a security issue, iMessage is adopting RCS next year, so the whole blue/green bubble thing will become much less relevant.

btown 3y ago

Even if RCS makes messaging with non-Apple devices more reliable, I‘d assume Apple would continue to use blue for Apple devices only, solely from a branding perspective. Despite all the things regulators are pushing them on, it seems reasonable that a brand can provide aesthetic-only markers for mutual users of the brand.

hprotagonist 3y ago
not to mention that RCS isn’t encrypted.
- meepmorp 3y ago
  google has added e2ee in their implementation but it's not part of the standard, i think they use the signal protocol rcs is too controlled by carriers for my liking. it's very much an sms replacement, rather than a protocol that treats the cell network as merely a data layer
  - hbn 3y ago
    Apple is implementing RCS as the actual standard, not Google's implementation. Which is the right move, if RCS is going to happen, Google should not be controlling it. Apple said they're planning to work at getting encryption build into the actual standard.

borissk 3y ago

The whole blue/green bubble thing is how Apple got something like 80% market share in probably the most valuable demographic in the world - US teenagers. They are no going to let it become less relevant without a desperate fight.

nadc 3y ago

As far as I've read so far Apple is adding RCS support to the Messages app, aka alongside SMS & MMS: https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/16/23964171/apple-iphone-rcs-support https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/16/23964171/apple-iphone-rc... It's not clear if iMessage will interoperate via RCS, which is what would make blue/green bubbles less relevant. My assumption would be no as they'd cede moat, and there isn't much of a network effect for them to gain from.

hbn 3y ago
Apple is not changing anything about how iMessage works, it's clear in their statement in the article you linked: > We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.

narrator 3y ago

I'm on Android and don't SMS with hardly anyone these days. I just use telegram channels or signal messenger.

art0rz 3y ago
Right? Even if RCS is adopted by every major manufacturer, it's far too late to grab any market share. Everyone uses iMessage/WhatsApp now. Text messaging is dead, even if you can send gifs/stickers/group chats/video/etc.