Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
It also was black for iMessage and it changed to white after iOS 7. That doesn't prove anything. Text had to be black to be legible above the background gradient and the top reflection of the bubble. Once the bubble could be flat and had a less radical gradient, they could change it to white. It's just a result from updating the HIGs, not some sort of "intentional evil design made to make people not like SMS"

I didn't really make that accusation, I only stated that it would not surprise me if it were the case. And the incidence of iMessage switching to white text doesn't change the fact that the contrast of white text on a light green background is not satisfactory.

Here are Apple's own guidelines, for reference.

1718056971730.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: AF_APPLETALK
Rcs being hailed as a savior and fix to a problem almost nobody complained about is annoying.

You have never heard of anyone complaining about the poor quality of iOS <> Android messaging. Every thread here is literally full of people complaining about how Android participants ruin their family groups or how media they send/receive looks terrible? That sounds not really believable but whatever.

I don’t care about making android users feel better about choosing to use an inferior ecosystem.

I don't know. I'm on iOS user and when I send something to someone it's usually because I care about them and I want to share something with them, so pictures or videos looking worse is something I care about because I like my friends and family despite their 'inferior ecosystem,' but you do you. I just don't understand this partisan devotion to a brand.
 
Now you just made that up for no reason.
Here in case you missed it:
  • Support for higher resolution photos and videos.
  • Support for larger file sizes and file sharing.
  • Audio messages.
  • Cross-platform emoji reactions.
  • Real-time typing indicators.
  • Read receipts.
  • Ability to send messages over cellular or Wi-Fi (SMS is cellular only). There is no cost to send an RCS message over Wi-Fi.
  • Improved group chats.
Simple and intuitive list, most of these can be figured out by just using the feature.
Universal Profile 1.0 literally defines those basic features. Every carrier that supports UP 1.0 which everyone does at this point.
 
Now you just made that up for no reason.
Here in case you missed it:
  • Support for higher resolution photos and videos.
  • Support for larger file sizes and file sharing.
  • Audio messages.
  • Cross-platform emoji reactions.
  • Real-time typing indicators.
  • Read receipts.
  • Ability to send messages over cellular or Wi-Fi (SMS is cellular only). There is no cost to send an RCS message over Wi-Fi.
  • Improved group chats.
Simple and intuitive list, most of these can be figured out by just using the feature.
Universal Profile 1.0 literally defines those basic features. Every carrier that supports UP 1.0 which everyone does at this point.

I think he meant about Apple. did Apple say they're supporting this? I'm curious to know what Apple is supporting.
 
I don't even know any Android users.
Based on previous forum discussions, the RCS debate is really geared to two audiences:
  1. Anyone outside the U.S. where Apple does not dominate the market and instant messaging does not occur over wireless carrier/stock Messages apps.
  2. Anyone who uses Android.
As a U.S. iPhone user surrounded by U.S. iPhone users, RCS does nothing for me, but it is nice to see that I might maybe one day have a slightly better instant messaging experience with a potential future coworker on Android?
 
  • Like
Reactions: robvalentine
They are supporting the Universal Profile so yes, they support all those features.
which version?

just because it's listed in universal profile doesn't mean it's implemented standard across all clients. lot of these are opt in by carriers. would be interesting to see what apple implements.
 
Based on previous forum discussions, the RCS debate is really geared to two audiences:
  1. Anyone outside the U.S. where Apple does not dominate the market.
  2. Anyone who uses Android.

On the contrary, I think Apple adopting RCS will bring improvements primarily for users in the US because iMessage and SMS/MMS are prevalent and so people are affected by the poor SMS/MMs experience.

Here in the UK, as well as in most of the rest of the world really, people use alternative messengers anyway, so this will not bring a lot of benefits -- at least not immediately.

If Apple actually implements RCS well and finds a way to support end-to-end encryption users like me might try to cut out or at least scale back WhatsApp as much as possible, but that's a long, rocky and uphill battle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TLuc
Genuine question, do people in the US still text?
I don't think I've met someone in over 15 years who actually uses text messages regularly.
People use What's App, Telegram, emails, Messenger, Instagram DMs and etc.
Otherwise, they just call.
It's just mind boggling to me. The messages app on any phone is mostly for receiving stuff like texts from my bank. So, I find it weird so much money and time is still spent on improving text messages, when most people don't use them.
 
this thread got super heated

what's the problem with RCS? it's just more compatibility.
From other forum threads, the hate started not so much from Apple adopting support for RCS, but not committing to ending the blue/green chat bubble distinction. If Apple removed the colors or kept the colors the same between protocols, there would no longer be a face-up way to identify iMessage from RCS messaging like have now with iMessage/SMS. Apple likes the brand distinction, and Android users feel shamed by it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: robvalentine
On the contrary, I think Apple adopting RCS will bring improvements primarily for users in the US because iMessage and SMS/MMS are prevalent and so people are affected by the poor SMS/MMs experience.

Here in the UK, as well as in most of the rest of the world really, people use alternative messengers anyway, so this will not bring a lot of benefits -- at least not immediately.

If Apple actually implements RCS well and finds a way to support end-to-end encryption users like me might try to cut out or at least scale back WhatsApp as much as possible, but that's a long, rocky and uphill battle.
A benefit is also international messaging for texts and media no longer counts towards separate carrier billing but as standard data usage or free via Wi-Fi.
 
From other forum threads, the hate started not so much from Apple adopting support for RCS, but not committing to ending the blue/green chat bubble distinction. If Apple removed the colors or kept the colors the same between protocols, there would be no longer be a face-up way to identify iMessage from RCS messaging like we se enow with iMessage/SMS. Apple likes the brand distinction, and Android users feel shamed by it.
That makes sense.

However I wouldn't want the same colors, despite me wanting Apple to adopt RCS.

Colors makes a clear distinction on what features are available.
 
That makes sense.

However I wouldn't want the same colors, despite me wanting Apple to adopt RCS.

Colors makes a clear distinction on what features are available.
That's where the "meh" in me comes in. On the rare occasion I have a text message conversation with someone who isn't on iMessage, I'm just replying with words or a standard emoji anyhow. I don't rely/use text messages for my graphically immersive communication needs.
 
Bottom line this is great day for iPhone users who interact with Android, which, to be honest, you would have be a major shut in if you don't interact with any Android users.

It's funny how Apple barely makes mention of it, it's like they are so salty that the government forced them to improve the messaging experience for all of their customers lmao.
 
I care. I have family members and colleagues using Android. It is their personal choice, what is the hate towards Android users?
Conversely, what is the hate toward Apple users from the Android users? In my day it was Ford vs Chevy vs Chrysler from the gear heads. It’s all about infantile chest pounding and always has been.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Just_Kevin
In the UK at least you can port your number, and to use a cellphone you really should need a service provider, otherwise even iMessage won't work. Having a home address is being locked in by your logic.

iMessage works with a Mac and an iPad.

Is there any device which supports RCS without having a phone? I mean at least ChromeOS must support RCS?
 
If you did not have a carrier then you cannot make a phone call. What's your point? It is the replacement to basic SMS text messaging...

I would also argue that phone calls and SMS is a lock-in to carriers. Very difficult to make a mobile phone call without a carrier.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AF_APPLETALK
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.