The Secret Shame of iMessage: Apple’s Long-overdue Updates to its Messaging App
For years, Apple has been guilty of holding its users back, forcing them to suffer through the torture of delayed responses and unreliable communication. But finally, the iPhone-maker has announced a pair of features that could change the game: scheduling messages and support for RCS, the next-generation messaging standard.
The Sins of iMessage
Scheduling messages is a feature that many users have been begging for, only to be met with silence from Apple. For years, developers have been creating workarounds, like apps that send reminders to send texts, or solutions that only work on jailbroken devices. But now, Apple is finally giving users the ability to schedule their messages, sending them at a later date and time. It’s about time, considering how often users are forced to send messages during non-peak hours, just to ensure they’re received.
RCS: The Savior of Text Messaging
And then there’s RCS, the standard that has been touted as the solution to many of the problems plaguing texting between Android and iOS users. By adopting RCS, Apple is finally bringing its messaging app in line with modern standards, offering richer media, more reliable group messaging, and even end-to-end encryption (although, let’s be real, we’re not holding our breath). This is a major win for Android users, who have long been forced to deal with the inferior experience of SMS and MMS.
The Green Bubble Curse
But here’s the thing: while Apple has finally decided to support RCS, its users will still be stuck with the hated green bubbles, a constant reminder of their device’s inferiority. It’s a symbol of the inequality that has long plagued the world of messaging, and a reminder that Apple has finally decided to play catch-up with the rest of the industry.
What Took So Long?
Apple’s delay in adopting RCS has been the subject of much speculation and criticism, with some pointing to the company’s desire to keep iMessage a proprietary, isolated experience. Others have accused Apple of being slow to react to user demands, preferring instead to focus on its own proprietary solutions. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Apple’s hesitation has only served to further perpetuate the divide between Android and iOS users.
The Future of iMessage
So what does this mean for the future of iMessage? For now, it seems that Apple is still focused on its own proprietary solutions, rather than truly embracing the open standards that are shaping the future of messaging. But as the company continues to evolve, we can only hope that it will continue to adopt a more open and inclusive approach to communication, one that truly puts its users first.
Author: Kayitsi.com
