Apple’s recent announcement regarding plans to introduce RCS support for iPhones by 2024 has stirred significant interest.
The focal point of curiosity after this news revolves around the colours of the messaging bubbles: will the blue vs green bubble debate finally find resolution?
For those who aren’t aware, RCS, known as Rich Communication Services, aims to enhance text features between Android and iPhone users, mirroring iMessage-style functionalities.
These improvements encompass read receipts, typing indicators, and better-quality media sharing.
Despite these advancements, one key aspect remains unchanged: the colour scheme of the messaging bubbles.
9to5Mac has received confirmation from Apple that iMessages will retain their signature blue bubbles, while RCS messages will sport green bubbles. Apple asserts that blue bubbles signify the best and most secure communication method through iMessage for iPhone users.
The colour debate surrounding green versus blue bubbles has evolved into a cultural point of discussion. Both Google and Samsung have utilized bubble color in their marketing campaigns, critiquing Apple’s lack of RCS support.
This recent revelation aligns with previous reporting affirming the longevity of iMessage.
Apple’s introduction of RCS as an upgrade to SMS and MMS will operate separately from the existing iMessage platform, without extending to other operating systems.
Whereas on Android devices, SMS texts appear in light blue, while RCS messages display in dark blue. Apple’s implementation implies iMessage bubbles will be blue, while RCS and SMS bubbles will adopt a green hue.
Do you guys agree with Apple’s decision on the messaging bubble colours?
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I want red bubbles for RCS!
It’s fine if they want to differentiate but they should have different shades of green to indicate if RCS or SMS is being used. That way people will know if E2E encryption is in use or not.
Even with Google making RCS the default setting in their message app, and their message app being the default on Android phones, with even Samsung doing that now, we can still see people choosing to use SMS.
E2E encryption isn’t currently available on the universal profile planning to be used by Apple. So no concerns there. Unless you’re using iMessage, your messages aren’t E2E encrypted.
Apple doesn’t want to use Googles solution so they are finally working with the GSMA for that purpose. Something they could have easily done several years ago.
Just have a message at the top saying “e2e encryption is NOT enabled” on this chat.
Even if they currently say so, I’m not sure Apple will keep both RCS and SMS(MMS) bubbles green, because I’ve heard that Apple is indeed leaning into RCS, but not the Google extension of RCS. It seems that Apple is working with the “RCS Standards Group” to create a variation of the current RCS instead of using Google’s extension of RCS. If this goes thru Apple might be proud enough to add a new colour to differentiate between that new modified RCS standard and the SMS/MMS.
I would hope we still get the green bubble so I still can know it’s an Andriod user. Then I know to speak slowly lol 😉
I’d like the Android bubbles to be different for RCS than for SMS so I know if I’m using data or I’m going to be charged when messaging long-distance. So dark green/current green would work.