Apple announces major change to iPhone messages coming next year

Apple has announced that it will be adding in new features to the messaging service on iPhones.

On Thursday (16 November), the tech company confirmed made a big annoucment regarding their iconic blue bubbles.

Apple have said that it would be adding in features of its messaging service for users of different platforms.

This could mean a new stage in the green Android vs blue iPhone messaging on iMessage, though the features will go beyond simply changing the colour.

The change will also include elements such as typing indicators, a read receipt, as well as more support for group chats on the platform.

This has also included more support for the standard, called Rich Communication Services, or RCS.

This is considered an alternative to SMS services between Apple and non-Apple devices.

Allowing more integration between Apple and other platforms is something which the company has historically been resistant to.

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In a previous meeting, when someone asked Apple CEO Tim Cooke about being unable to send their mom certain videos, Cooke responded by telling them to 'buy your mom an iPhone'.

But now, things have changed, with the company saying in a statement: “We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS.

“This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.”

The change has come in the wake of pressure from both regulators and competitors for Apple products to blend more seamlessly.

Another example of this is the introduction of the UCB-C charging port following pressure from EU regulators, rather than Apple's lightning cable.

Google already has support for the RCS system within its own messaging app, and has expressed support for the measure.

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In a statement, Google said: “Everyone deserves to communicate with each other in ways that are modern and secure, no matter what phone they have.

“That’s why we have worked closely with the mobile industry to accelerate the adoption of RCS, and we’re happy to see Apple take their first step today by coming on board to embrace RCS.

"We welcome Apple’s participation in our ongoing work with GSMA to evolve RCS and make messaging more equitable and secure, and look forward to working with them to implement this on iOS in a way that works well for everyone.”

Speaking about the move, Dipanjan Chatterjee, a VP principal analyst at Forrester Research, said: “Instead, RCS support will enable a smoother and better customer experience of iPhone users communicating across platforms.

"The company hopes that’s a win-win for all –- their customers get to inhabit Apple’s world, but also play nicely with others.”