After making headlines for embracing USB Type-C charging in their new iPhones, Apple is now prepping to roll out support for the RCS messaging standard on the iPhone! The update is reported to hit the iPhones early next year, reports confirm. The announcement aligns with Nothing's introduction of Nothing Chats, a messaging app reportedly compatible with iMessage conversations on its Android flagship, the Nothing Phone (2).
Now, for the unversed, RCS—short for Rich Communication Services—aims to enhance messaging communication universally across mobile devices. Developed by the GSM Association, this communication standard has been widely embraced within the Android ecosystem.
Apple, in a statement, said, “Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe the 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".
So this means RCS is not here to replace iMessage and the features we love about it, like memojis, stickers, and message editing and unsending options. Instead, RCS support is heading our way through a software update. Then, it's up to carriers to jump on board and add it to their services.
Once RCS lands on your iPhone, your pals with Android phones can share high-quality photos and videos with you. Group chats could also become platform agnostic, letting everyone join in, no matter their device. Plus, they'll also be able to share their location with you through RCS-supported messaging. And guess what? RCS is also likely to bring some iMessage-style tricks to chats between iPhones and Androids—think read receipts, typing indicators, et cetera!