TL;DR
- Tim Cook says Apple users aren’t keen on getting RCS messaging support on iPhones.
- He told a person at a conference to get their mom an iPhone to solve the green bubble problem.
- Google’s Android SVP says you shouldn’t have to do so.
Update: September 8, 2022 (4:51 AM ET): Google’s SVP of Android Hiroshi Lockheimer has responded to the Apple CEO’s comments about RCS. He says people shouldn’t have to buy their mom’s new iPhones just to send photos and videos. You can see Lockheimer’s tweet below and read what Tim Cook said about RCS support on iMessage in the original article below.
It’s clear why Apple is opposing interoperability. But people should be able to send high quality videos and photos to their mom without having to buy her a new phone. #GetTheMessage https://t.co/j93wQRSqi6
Original article: September 8, 2022 (12:55 AM ET): Apple CEO Tim Cook took to the 2022 Code Conference to say a few words about RCS support in iMessage. Answering a question from an audience member during a panel discussion with Jony Ive and Laurene Powell Jobs, Cook said Apple users aren’t keen on getting RCS support on the iPhone.
Cook’s exact response to the question about RCS on iPhones was as follows:
I don’t hear our users asking that we put a lot of energy on that at this point.
His response to the questioner was “buy your mom an iPhone” to solve the green bubble problem. Interestingly, the Apple CEO said RCS is not a priority “at this point.” So it looks like he didn’t completely dismiss the possibility of RCS support on iPhones in the future.