Apple’s iOS 18 is shaping as much as be one of the crucial important upgrades within the software program’s historical past. Between all of the AI features and tweaked UI to the broad customization choices, it is virtually like Apple is revamping the iOS expertise as we all know it, which is able to shake issues up for iPhone owners for years to come back.
Additionally: iOS 18 beta now lets you send RCS messages to Android users
However by far, top-of-the-line options of iOS 18 has nothing to do with the most recent improvements out of Cupertino. In truth, it has roots in one other a part of California: Mountain View. RCS.
A number of years in the past, a brand new textual content messaging customary referred to as Wealthy Communications Service, or RCS, was launched by Google. It is designed to interchange SMS messaging, which has been round because the Nineteen Nineties. RCS helps an unlimited array of recent messaging options like greater high quality photographs and movies, learn receipts, clearer audio messages, and extra, making it really feel extra like a messaging service like Telegram or iMessage.
It took some time for the brand new customary to roll out, however it will definitely reached each Android phone that makes use of the Google Messages app because of broad service assist.
Regardless of the characteristic being obtainable on Android telephones for various years, Apple has refused to deliver it to the iPhone. The corporate has relied on an inferior expertise to remind customers that speaking to different iPhone customers with iMessage is best than speaking to Android customers over SMS. Naturally, it is precipitated an important degree of frustration not simply among the many tech-savvy begging for high-quality video sharing between platforms but in addition amongst customers who merely need a greater messaging expertise.
Additionally: You’ll soon be able to text 911 via RCS on your Android phone. Here’s how it works
Thankfully, we’re getting simply that. Shortly earlier than Apple was compelled to bring RCS to the iPhone by way of European regulators, the corporate introduced the expertise would trickle onto its units afterward in 2024. Now, now we have affirmation that the characteristic will formally arrive as part of iOS 18.
Apple did not spend numerous time speaking about it onstage throughout WWDC earlier this month. In truth, Craig Federighi talked about it for about two seconds towards the top of his iOS 18 demo. They did not point out the entire capabilities it will deliver to iPhones, nor the advantages of it in comparison with SMS, which alerts the corporate does not need to make it a pinnacle new characteristic of the iOS expertise.
Regardless of Apple’s efforts to reduce it, RCS will enhance the time you spend texting your Android associates with richer media assist, learn receipts, and extra.
Additionally: Everything to know about Apple’s AI features coming to iPhones, Macs, and iPads
Sadly, we do not know every little thing that RCS will allow in your iPhone. On Android, you are able to do issues like share information, ship messages over Wi-Fi, and even see typing indicators. In iOS 18, we solely have affirmation for a number of options because of a characteristic card on Apple’s website: learn receipts, (presumably) higher-quality photographs, and audio messages. The textual content subject will point out once you’re messaging with RCS, and all your bubbles will stay inexperienced.
Although we do not know every little thing about RCS on the iPhone, it is my most anticipated characteristic of iOS 18 by a mile. Sure, the Apple Intelligence stuff seems to be cool, and I dig all of the customization Apple is including to the house display screen. However my largest downside with utilizing my iPhone every day is sending messages to Android customers over SMS, which is oftentimes extremely gradual and unreliable with spottier connections.
Additionally: Apple’s iOS 18 will let you record phone calls without a third-party app
There have been various occasions I’ve tried texting my brother — who has a Pixel 7 Professional — one thing pressing, solely to search out out he by no means obtained my message for some purpose or one other. Attempt to ship a photograph over SMS, and you will be praying that it goes by way of efficiently. And you may neglect about video sharing; I simply resort to Telegram for that.
I understand I may use third-party messaging apps to unravel this downside. In any case, that is what I’ve finished with video sharing. However I prefer to have all my message threads in the identical place, and I might desire that place to be the identical app the place I’ve all my iMessages. With RCS, I am going to lastly be capable of try this, even when it does not get the entire options that the expertise is able to.
