There will still be a divide between blue and green bubbles, but texting among iPhone and Android users is set to become more enjoyable.
Apple revealed it will add a new messaging standard ‘later next year’ to let Android owners use some iMessage features.
The change will let both operating systems experience read receipt, typing indicators and improved media sharing.
Apple is set to add support for the RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard in a software update later next year.
Apple revealed it will add a new messaging standard ‘later next year’ to let Android owners use some iMessage features
The update, first revealed by 9to5Mac, is also Apple’s way of appeasing the European Union’s Digital Markets Act released in 2020, which prevents ‘gatekeepers from imposing unfair conditions on businesses and end users.’
This means companies like Apple must make services available on all platforms – even its rival Androids.
DailyMail.com has contacted Apple for comment.
In a statement to 9to5 Mac, an Apple spokesperson said: ‘Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association.
The change will let both operating systems experience read receipt, typing indicators and improved media sharing. Apple is set to add support for the RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard in a software update later next year
‘We believe 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.’
Google rolled out RCS to its US customers in 2019, including reading receipts, typing indicators and using WiFi to send messages.
The move was to compete with the likes of iMessage and Facebook Messenger.
But, the standard is not compatible with Apple’s messaging.
Apple, however, is not inviting Android users into the platform but adding RCS separately.
RCS was designed to replace the short message standard (SMS) and has been developing since 2007 with the help of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) trade body.
Apple has been pushing back on adopting RCS for over a year, even as Google and others have pressured the iPhone maker to adopt the technology, the report said.
