Rich Communication Service (RCS)is the successor to SMS and MMS on Android. RCS does just about the same things that Apple’s iMessage does, but only when a message is being sent from one RCS user to another. Similarly, Apple allows iMessages to be sent only between iMessage users. So what is the difference? Well, it seems that iPhone users are more intolerant than those with an Android device.
The blue bubble issue leads to bullying and peer pressure; Apple can put an end to it
The Android user in the group becomes the target of insults. “What’s the matter, can’t afford an iPhone?” is one typical message sent to make the Android user feel small. Those without an iPhone are pressured to buy one so that their messages can also show up as a blue bubble instead of the dreaded green. This blue vs. green bubble issue, as unimportant as it seems on the surface, has become a source of teenage angst.
You see, Apple could end the green bubble bullying by simply supporting RCS. That would stop an Android user in an iPhone group chat from halting all of the iMessage features that Apple users love. And to get this message across, Google has posted a new website that says “It’s time for Apple to fix texting.” Google writes that “It’s not about the color of the bubbles. It’s the blurry videos, broken group chats, missing read receipts and typing indicators, no texting over Wi-Fi, and more. These problems exist because Apple refuses to adopt modern texting standards when people with iPhones and Android phones text each other.”
RCS users also lose features whenever an iPhone user joins a group chat
Google has the solution. “Apple turns texts between iPhones and Android phones into SMS and MMS, out-of-date technologies from the 90s and 00s. But Apple can adopt RCS—the modern industry standard—for these threads instead. Solving the problem without changing your iPhone to iPhone conversations and making messaging better for everyone.”
Google tries to get Apple to support RCS
Clicking on a link that says “Help @Apple #GetTheMessage” takes you to Twitter where a tweet has already been composed for you to send to Apple. The text says, “@Apple, stop breaking my texting experience. #GetTheMessage.”
The truth is that both sides have the same issue. It is just that you don’t hear about it from Android users who are less likely to say, “What’s the matter, can’t afford a Moto G Power?” Besides, it is Google who is looking to end the bullying and peer pressure by trying to get Apple to support RCS. The latter is supported by over 500 phone manufacturers and wireless providers worldwide.
Who doesn’t support it? Apple. If you think that Apple should put its emphasis on the mental health of teens instead of profits, you can follow Google’s lead and demand that Apple support RCS.
