Apple Plans to Bridge the Gap Between iPhones + Androids
The clash between the blue text bubbles of iOS and the green ones of Android is soon ending. Anticipated changes are set to address persistent issues like fuzzy videos, dysfunctional group chats, and encryption gaps. This would make for a more seamless experience for users accustomed to texting between iPhones and Android devices.
In a recent NEW: Apple says RCS is coming to iOS in ’24: “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.”
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) November 16, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcement, Apple shared plans to adopt the messaging standard RCS (Rich Communication Services). This move will extend iMessage features to Android users. This change comes with a range of improvements, including read receipts, typing indicators, enhanced group chat support, and higher-quality media sharing.
Apple is finally bringing RCS to iPhones.
Apple has confirmed its intention to integrate support for RCS Universal Profile sometime next year. RCS, positioned as an alternative to traditional options like SMS, works seamlessly over both Wi-Fi and mobile data, providing a versatile communication solution.
According to a statement from Apple to CNN, they believe that “We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS.” The statement also emphasized that iMessage will continue to provide the pinnacle of secure messaging for Apple users.
This change follows requests from Google for Apple to include RCS support for iPhones. Google’s Hiroshi Lockheimer, SVP at Google, had previously addressed the “green bubbles” visual distinction issue in a Precisely! People have talked about "green bubbles" as an Android problem. There are hundreds of millions of people around the world already using RCS - encryption, uncompressed images and all. If you're an iPhone user, hopefully you'll be able to get these capabilities soon too. https://t.co/uyeAIau8jf
— Hiroshi Lockheimer (@lockheimer) August 9, 2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweet last year. Despite the adoption of RCS, messages from iPhones to Android devices will still appear in green bubbles, maintaining the familiar visual identifier for non-iMessage communication, according to 9to5Mac.
The enduring debate over green versus blue bubbles has been utilized in advertising campaigns by Google and Samsung to highlight perceived shortcomings in Apple’s historical approach to RCS support.
In a recent disclosure, Apple acknowledged its intent to make policy changes to align with forthcoming guidelines, as reported by TechCrunch earlier this month. This suggests Apple’s commitment to adapting to evolving standards and ensuring a smoother user experience across its platforms.
Vintage Gadgets: Outdated Tech That Still Sparks Joy
Best Buy has announced that starting in 2024, following this holiday season, they will discontinue the sale of DVDs, Blu-rays, and 4K Ultra HD discs, both in their physical stores and online. They have said the reason for this decision is due to the increasing popularity of streaming services. This move aligns with the prevailing trend, as more people turn to streaming for their entertainment needs.
Physical Media
Physical media does come with certain inconveniences, such as taking up space and limited mobile accessibility. But there are still people who appreciate the more traditional way of enjoying movies and music. There are some advantages of owning Blu-rays and DVDs. These include owning what you buy and having bonus content you can’t get anywhere else.
Pagers!
In the ’90s, owning a pager was considered a status symbol and a fashion statement. Today, it’s even possible to purchase a fully functional vintage Motorola pager from online marketplaces like eBay.
Outdated but not obsolete.
With the widespread use of mobile phones and free calling applications that offer unlimited calls via Wi-Fi, traditional landlines may eventually become obsolete. However, the complete phasing out of this technology may take some time. This is because certain regions or countries still contend with unreliable internet or cellular coverage. As of August 2023, Community Phone reports that approximately 40.35 million households in the United States still maintain landline phones, and 38.1 million households have both a landline and a cell phone.
For some people, “new” technology doesn’t always mean “better.” On Reddit, a user started a discussion thread asking, “What outdated or obsolete tech are you still using and are perfectly happy with?” The thread received more than 16,000 responses from people who shared the outdated everyday items they still happily use. Check some of them out below.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.