Samsung has recently released a new video in support of Google’s #GetTheMessage campaign, which calls for Apple to adopt RCS (Rich Communication Services) as a successor to SMS. The video, titled “Green bubbles and blue bubbles want to be together,” depicts a Romeo and Juliet-style conversation between two users who are kept apart by one of their “parents.”
The conversation in the video reflects the frustration experienced by Android users when trying to communicate with iPhone users. The “green bubbles” represent SMS messages, which lack the rich features and functionality available in iMessage, represented by the “blue bubbles” for Apple users.
The video highlights the inequality and divide between iPhone and Android users, particularly in countries like the US, where roughly half the population uses iPhones and the other half uses Android devices, such as Samsung phones. This two-class system creates barriers to seamless communication and limits the user experience for Android users.
RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is a cross-platform protocol that aims to bridge this gap and bring feature-rich messaging to all users, regardless of their device. It offers many of the features found in modern messaging apps, such as read receipts, high-quality media sharing, typing indicators, and more. By adopting RCS, Apple could provide a more inclusive and seamless messaging experience for its users while ensuring compatibility with Android devices.
The video appeals to Apple by questioning why green bubbles are treated differently and excluded from the richer messaging experience. It emphasizes that “green bubbles are bubbles too” and deserve the same features and functionality as their blue counterparts. The Romeo and Juliet reference adds an emotional touch, portraying the longing and frustration experienced by Android users.
The importance of this issue is further highlighted by Google’s #GetTheMessage campaign, which aims to encourage Apple to embrace RCS and eliminate the communication gap between iPhone and Android users. Google has been advocating for RCS adoption for years, as it sees the potential of this protocol to revolutionize messaging and bring a uniform messaging experience to all users.
While Apple has introduced some improvements to its messaging platform over the years, such as iMessage’s own set of features, the lack of RCS support still hinders cross-platform communication. Android users are often left out of the seamless and feature-rich messaging experience enjoyed by iPhone users.
In conclusion, Samsung’s new video supports the #GetTheMessage campaign by urging Apple to adopt RCS. It emphasizes the need for equal treatment and functionality for all users, putting an end to the two-class system created by the differentiation between iMessage and SMS. With RCS, Apple can provide a more inclusive and seamless messaging experience, benefiting both iPhone and Android users. Removing this communication gap would enhance user satisfaction and promote a more connected digital world. The video’s emotional appeal and the overarching goal of the #GetTheMessage campaign bring attention to the importance of RCS adoption and the potential it holds for the future of messaging.