In a surprising turn of events this year, Apple has officially revealed its plans to introduce RCS (rich communication services) chat support to iPhones. This announcement marks a significant resolution to longstanding disputes between Apple, the Cupertino-based tech giant, and key industry players like Google and Samsung.
According to a statement from an Apple spokesperson shared with 9to5Mac, the company is set to incorporate support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard endorsed by the GSM Association. Anticipated to be implemented later next year, this move is aimed at providing a more seamless interoperability experience compared to traditional SMS or MMS. Notably, this enhancement will complement iMessage, which remains Apple’s premier and most secure messaging platform for its users.
The statement underscores that the RCS compatibility for iPhones will work alongside iMessage, reinforcing the latter as Apple’s flagship communication tool. The push for Apple to embrace a modern and secure messaging standard has been an ongoing endeavour, with Google recently seeking intervention from EU regulators to encourage Apple to adopt RCS compatibility.
This announcement follows the recent revelation from Nothing about its upcoming Nothing Chats app. This app, launching tomorrow on the Google Play Store, is designed to facilitate connectivity between Nothing Phone 2 users and iMessage services and features.
Historically resistant to adopting RCS compatibility, Apple’s shift in stance signals a noteworthy change, acknowledging the benefits of RCS over iMessage. These advantages include enhanced multimedia features, broader compatibility across devices and carriers, and more advanced group chat capabilities.
