Why iMessage Users Should Care About Google's Latest RCS Update

Messaging apps are a dime a dozen these days, but one application stands out among Apple users:

iMessage. Sleek interface and seamless integration between Apple devices and strong features such as end-to-end encryption made it the go-to app for many. While Apple users are comfortable with their iMessage, Android users suffered from a disjointed messaging experience. Google hopes to do this with the latest update of RCS, or Rich Communication Services, and it's something users of iMessage should take a great interest in.

What Is RCS and Why Should You Care?

RCS isn't new, though. It's been around for a while but hasn't made much of an impression. Think of RCS like SMS, the text messaging system everyone has used for decades. But unlike SMS, with its very few features, RCS supports multimedia messages, group chats, read receipts, typing indicators, and many more features that users are accustomed to with iMessage.

The thing with this latest update from Google in the RCS is that the company is really pushing for interoperability. The promise of having a more cohesive messaging experience across Android devices and maybe even with Apple users, if Apple would ever make the move to adopt RCS (fingers crossed).

Features That Could Make iMessage Users Green With Envy

Google's latest RCS update has some of the features that could potentially rival iMessage:

High-quality media sharing: From this point forward, no longer will you share such blurry photos and videos of whatever other person is taking through the camera of any other Android phone because the use of RCS can give clear, high-resolution media shares.

Encryption for everybody: For the longest time, Apple has been more advanced concerning end-to-end encryption; however, with one-to-one RCS chatting getting a way to be encrypted also makes sure your messages are secure.

Typing Indicators and Read Receipts: This is the kind of feature that gives the impression to a conversation as much more personal and interesting, rather than those using iMessage.

Cross-Device Messaging: The company is well aware that to make things smoother for cross-device use, just like the features that exist in iMessage when a person uses both the iPhone and iPad and also on a Mac device.

How RCS Bridges the Divide Between Android and iMessage

For years, most iPhone users have hated that infamous "green bubble" when texting their Android friends. There's an obvious reminder of the divide between the two ecosystems, and Google's new update on RCS aims to bridge that gap by bringing up a messaging experience much like iMessage in functionality and reliability. 

Though Apple has resisted RCS until this point, more pressure will now come on the company to give in. Both find interoperability a positive, as iMessage users will be able to text their friends who have Androids and not lose functionalities or qualities. 

The big picture would be to achieve universal messaging.

This is not at all a fight between the Apple and Android camps; at a deeper level, though, it is Google forcing RCS as the standard for messaging. Imagine this—the day when it isn't a step back for one to text someone through another platform. RCS slowly brings this vision closer and closer.

WhatsApp and Messenger, among others, dominate most places, but where mobile data is less available, the use of SMS is prevalent. And so, in upgrading SMS to RCS, Google is, in effect, setting up the stage for a far more modern and feature-rich communication experience for millions worldwide.

Why Is This Important to iMessage Users?

If you're an iMessage user, you might wonder why this matters to you. You already have a really great messaging app, right?

Here's why: the more ubiquitous RCS becomes, the more likely Apple will feel pressure to support it. That means you can text Android users without giving up features like high-quality media sharing or encryption. Everybody wins.

In fact, competition is hand in hand with innovation. Because Google is improving its RCS continually, Apple has to develop some extra features too to get ahead in the game of making iMessage better. So, this kind of healthy competition can easily result in a better experience in messaging for all those users, regardless of which device they use.

It is the latest from Google and a huge game changer not just for Android enthusiasts but for anyone. It brings Android much closer to the iMessage sophistication and sets expectations about what messaging applications can be.

This is one development to watch from users of iMessage. Whether it's texting friends from an Android or waiting for that day when messaging seamlessly transpires across all devices, RCS is building up. Next time you see those frightful green bubbles, well, take heart knowing the change is coming your way.

But the question is now: Will Apple join this new revolution in RCS? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, there is a reason to celebrate for Android users and at least a little jealousy in iMessage fans' minds.