Apple Gets Google Support for RCS Adoption, But Cupertino Wants GSM Association Collab

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 16 November 2023, 08:11 pm

Google is now offering what it can to Apple, centering on the latest announcement by the Cupertino giant for its adoption of RCS to the iPhone, an integration that is coming next year. It is widely known that Google has been an avid advocate of getting Apple to adopt RCS for many years now, offering a chance for iOS and Android to get a direct messaging experience that is not SMS or MMS.

This massive move by Apple shocked the world as it claimed it was already considering this, but it wants the GSM Association to be their partner in the venture.

Apple Gets Google Support for Its Future RCS Adoption

(Photo : TENGKU BAHAR/AFP via Getty Images)

In the latest statement by Google after Apple announced adopting RCS, the internet company boldly claimed that it is looking forward "to working" with Apple to bring this technology to iOS.

"We welcome Apple's participation in our ongoing work with GSMA to evolve RCS and make messaging more equitable and secure, and look forward to working with them to implement this on iOS in a way that works well for everyone," said Google.

Google's technology centers on its end-to-end (E2E) encrypted service meant for Android, either in a 1:1 or group message conversations, centering on the Messages app. The report claimed that Google implemented its version of the RCS in under two years.

Apple Wants to Work with the GSM Association

In the recent announcement by Apple via a statement to 9to5 Mac, the company would add RCS support come late 2024 for the iOS update that it will deliver. The Cupertino giant clarified that this will be the RCS Universal Profile support that was published by the GSM Association as the standard.

However, this does not mean iMessage is bidding its farewell, as the company will keep this for the iPhone to iPhone or other Apple operating systems' interoperability, with a provision for RCS.

RCS: Google's Push for Apple Adoption

A massive part of the world is known for using Android smartphones, and this means that Google's push for RCS is meant to center on the universal messaging system that would connect all devices under one protocol. The Mountain View company has been an avid critic of Apple for its continued use of SMS and MMS services which has been around for a long time.

In various campaigns, Google creatively wants Apple to #GetTheMessage in their recent iPager shade against the Cupertino giant, saying that their messaging service is left behind in development. Still, before today's announcement, Apple has held on the iMessage's exclusive service for a long time, saying that this is the best and most secure for iPhone users.

For many years, iMessage has proven to be effective for iPhone users and benefitted those in the Apple systems, with the service cross-compatible between Cupertino's devices. However, it is time for a change says Apple, moved by the benefits of RCS that transcends that of SMS or MMS, but remains unknown if it will go with Google who offers help, or the GSM Association who they are seeking.