What you want to know
- Google added a bit to the touchdown web page for Google Messages that revealed when Apple will assist RCS messaging on the iPhone.
- Later, Google pulled the part from that touchdown web page, however the info stays obtainable via screenshots and the Wayback Machine.
- While Apple introduced that RCS messaging would come to the iPhone later this yr, Google clarified in its promotional materials that it will particularly be obtainable in Fall 2024.
Google lastly received its battle with Apple final yr, because the Cupertino-based firm agreed to assist RCS messaging on the iPhone later this yr. Now, Google seems to have leaked Apple’s timeline for RCS availability in iOS. In a brand new touchdown web page for Google Messages, the corporate shared that Apple “will be adopting RCS within the fall of 2024.” Hours later, this touchdown web page has been fully scrubbed of references to this timeline.
In truth, your complete part that revealed Apple’s plans to assist RCS messaging this fall has been eliminated. In it, Google described RCS messaging by saying, “Hello hi-res, goodbye blur,” referencing the improved high quality of images and movies shared over RCS in contrast to SMS or MMS. Clicking the See extra options button opened up an expanded highlight of RCS, the place Google outlined Apple’s timeline for supporting the messaging commonplace.
Here’s what the part relating to Apple’s upcoming assist of RCS on the Google Messages touchdown web page seemed like earlier than it was taken down:
Now, that complete part is gone on the exact same Google Messages touchdown web page. While the part was solely dwell for a matter of hours, it was partially captured by the Wayback Machine. There have been initially three fundamental function spotlights: customization, photomoji, and RCS. In the dwell model of the touchdown web page, solely the primary two sections stay, with smaller sections for different options that stay beneath.
It seems Google may have inadvertently leaked Apple’s timeline, however it is not too stunning. Apple’s preliminary timetable of “later subsequent yr,” referring to late 2024, appeared to line up with the autumn already. Since iOS 18 is about to launch within the fall of 2024, it was already possible that RCS message can be supported beginning with that OS improve. Now, thanks to Google’s lapse, it appears all however confirmed, though issues can change now that the reference was taken down.
RCS messaging will make texting between iPhones and Android telephones simpler, leveraging higher-quality images and movies, learn receipts, typing indicators, higher group chat assist, and extra.