In a tweet earlier today, Google SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer referred to as on Apple to assist RCS, the next-generation texting customary that’s alleged to supplant SMS. He supplied an “open invitation to the folks who can make this right” and stated “we are here to help.” Translation: the “folks” are Apple and “we are here to help” is Google’s supply to help Apple in implementing the brand new customary.

RCS is lastly beginning to achieve traction around the globe. Its largest champion has been Google, which lastly landed on utilizing it because the default texting resolution for Android telephones after attempting each different resolution. RCS is much from excellent, nevertheless it’s clearly superior to SMS (which is, in fact, a low bar). After securing offers from US carriers to decide to the usual within the subsequent 12 months, Google is setting its sights on a brand new goal for evangelism: Apple.

Apple has but to answer with remark to any inquiry from The Verge over a number of years on whether or not it intends to assist RCS on the iPhone, and was not instantly obtainable to touch upon this story. It appears unlikely that RCS is coming to iOS anytime quickly.

Lockheimer’s tweet adopted a cheeky chain of tweets that began with a story about how pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau was breaking iMessage group chats with his green bubbles, which led to the official Android account cringingly drawing a parallel between inexperienced bubbles and the famous Masters green jacket. Lockheimer jokes that there’s a “Really Clear Solution” (RCS) to group chats not breaking.

RCS has had an extended, convoluted (and unfinished) slog in the direction of turning into the default texting expertise on Android. Beginning in March 2021, Google started securing offers from US carriers to get them to decide to utilizing Google’s Android Messages app because the default on all Android telephones offered on their networks. It began with a blockbuster cope with T-Mobile, adopted later by smaller offers with AT&T and Verizon. Once all these offers are carried out, Android customers who textual content one another will change over to RCS, which helps typing indicators, higher group chats, and larger multimedia messages.

Importantly, RCS on Android Messages additionally helps end-to-end encryption for one-on-one chats. That will imply Android customers texting one another may have a better stage of privateness and safety than once they textual content iPhone customers — and vice versa. A current hack on SMS firm Syniverse is simply the most recent instance of why encryption is necessary in messaging — particularly for the default.

RCS has issues of its personal, although. As with iMessage, it’s potential for messages to get misplaced in limbo when switching telephones. It’s additionally an ordinary that’s championed by Google however theoretically agreed upon by carriers around the globe. The affiliation with Google has tainted RCS within the eyes of many, and naturally requiring carriers to agree on something is a recipe for issues. There are additionally technical limitations, as Ron Amadeo explains here.

Nevertheless, it appears inevitable that RCS will substitute SMS finally — however provided that Apple decides to assist it. As extra carriers undertake it and as extra customers notice that SMS is inherently much less safe, Apple might start to really feel sufficient stress to undertake RCS. Thus far, nonetheless, it hasn’t proven any indicators of that.