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Did Google simply preempt an enormous announcement from Apple? The Android developer simply revealed an up to date touchdown web page for Google Messages, displaying off key options starting from customization, privateness and safety, and, in fact, AI.

On this touchdown web page, there are totally different sections for every characteristic set, together with one for RCS. As noticed by 9to5Google, for those who develop this checklist of RCS options and scroll to the underside, you see a piece on “Coming quickly on iOS: Higher messaging for all.” That is no shock: We have identified Apple was adopting RCS since November. Nevertheless, it is the following line that brings the information: “Apple has introduced it will likely be adopting RCS within the fall of 2024.”

Has it? Certain, the corporate has dedicated to bringing RCS to iPhones, however the final time it mentioned the subject, it solely stated assist can be coming later this 12 months. The corporate by no means particularly stated when in the course of the 12 months we might be getting RCS, so Google’s announcement right here, nonetheless delicate, is large information.

Why is RCS on iPhone such an enormous deal?

At the moment, Apple solely helps the lengthy outdated SMS and MMS protocols when texting non-Apple smartphones. (AKA inexperienced bubbles.) SMS/MMS leads to low high quality photos, horrible high quality movies, points with group chats, and, worst of all, poor safety, because it is not end-to-end encrypted (E2EE). RCS, however, is a more recent messaging protocol that comes with trendy options like E2EE, typing indicators, high-quality photos and movies, and streamlined group chats. In contrast to iMessage, it is also not platform particular: As long as your texting app and provider assist RCS, you may message different numbers on the platform with ease.

Apple doesn’t at the moment assist RCS, nonetheless, so it is SMS/MMS till they do. This reluctance to drop SMS is the explanation texting an Android from an iPhone is such a ache. It isn’t your good friend’s fault: It is Apple’s. You possibly can learn extra about RCS on iPhone and why it is such an enormous deal right here.

RCS could possibly be an iOS 18 characteristic

If Apple is certainly planning a fall 2024 launch for RCS, that strongly suggests the adopting will probably be a characteristic of iOS 18. Apple normally releases its main iOS replace in September, so it is seemingly the corporate is planning on RCS assist as a part of that launch. After all, it may at all times include an replace like iOS 18.1 or 18.2, however let a man hope: If RCS is part of iOS 18, meaning it could possibly be within the iOS 18 beta, which Apple will seed to builders (and anybody daring sufficient to put in it) after they announce the software program at WWDC 2024.

There’s a probability—a probability—we may have RCS assist on iPhone beginning June 10. If that is true, you could be certain I will be putting in iOS 18 Developer Beta 1 as quickly because it drops.