this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2023
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Samsung has released a new video in support of Google’s #GetTheMessage campaign which calls for Apple to adopt RCS or “Rich Communication Services,” the cross-platform protocol pitched as a successor to SMS that adopts many of the features found in modern messaging apps... like Apple’s own iMessage.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (3 children)

RCS needs to happen, I'm so sick of Whatsapp.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Why not switch to something not owned by Facebook like Signal (or something on an open protocol like Element)?

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

No one I know uses Signal or is skilled enough to switch away from Whatsapp. 100% have WhatsApp.

Trying to switch, would be like talking people into using Linux. Not going to happen unless the current option got much worse.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

skilled enough to switch away from Whatsapp

Wat? If they managed to register with WhatsApp, they can do so with literally any other messaging service.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yeah that's a big problem that I'm trying to research solutions for myself too. It was way better when I could tell people to just install Signal and it'd replace their SMS app but be secure when others use it, but unfortunately Signal dropped SMS. Currently I just have all the apps, but since Signal does contact discovery (like Whatsapp) I follow a Signal, Whatsapp, FB Messenger, RCS (via Google Messenger), then SMS pattern and stopping when I can contact someone. Obviously, this has the issue that all these apps are getting far more data than they need and I'd like to look into a multiplatform app that does e2e. From what I've researched so far, Matrix bridges (servers that connect your Matrix account to a third party messaging service) might be the answer.

I haven't tried it yet but there is a Matrix bridge that you can host if you are selfhosting a Matrix server (or use a commercial Matrix provider that already hosts it) that will allow you to connect to your Whatsapp friends without needing the Whatsapp app yourself that could be interesting for at least that use case https://docs.mau.fi/bridges/go/setup.html?bridge=whatsapp .

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Using Signal is incredibly easy. Unless your friends are too incompetent to even install an app, they can be set up in a couple of minutes.

Notice I said using and not switching, because there's no need to pick just one.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

They are incompetent enough. They also see no reason to switch. They will tell you that other apps will also use your data and that Whatsapp is working fine for what they do with it. Doesn't matter if it's true.

Some even use the status to share stuff like Instagram and are addicted to it.

They'll tell you that there's no point in installing two apps. I've had that topic often enough.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You originally said nobody was skilled enough. It seems what you really meant is nobody cares enough.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Unfortunately, that's the actual reason in my experience. I got most friends and family to run Signal next to WhatsApp though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

You underestimate how tech-dumb the majority of people are

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

A few years ago I thought so as well, but today, everyone of my friends and family is on Signal. Also, it's not complicated to use, it's basically the exact same user experience as on WhatsApp or Telegram. If normies can figure out WhatsApp, they can figure out Signal.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Google's RCS is as proprietary as iMessage

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

But it is at least available for Apple to implement if they do choose, unlike iMessage.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No, its not available. There is no FOSS RCS app, because its not available

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I didn't say it was FOSS. I said that unlike iMessage, which Apple refuses to allow Android to use, RCS is available to be used by Apple if it so chooses.

Yes, a FOSS protocol/standard would be better, and I hope we have one done day that is actually available and used by default by both iOS and Android (and any other future players in the field). But until that happens, RCS is at least allowed to be used by other companies so it's at least a small step in the right direction, even if Apple continues to stubbornly refuse to use it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago
  1. Google controls RCS servers. Collects data and sales it. Apple adopting RCS would mean monopoly situation

Yes, a FOSS protocol/standard would be better

Open standard is the only option

RCS is at least allowed to be used by other companies so it’s at least a small step in the right direction

...of a single company controlling major sms functions turned on by default by every phone?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Signal is also available on every platform, you don't need to use whatever chat app your phone's manufacturer wants you to use, it's your choice. And Signal is probably the best choice right now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

But we are talking about messaging standards, not messaging services.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Looks like it's not open sources, yes.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The only way something replaces WhatsApp is if WhatsApp stops existing.

Besides, RCS is not in any shape or form ready to the general public, considering all the blatant inconsistencies and instabilities, let alone replace one of the most used, tried and tested messaging platforms out there.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I switched my parents group chat to RCS from whatsapp after pestering them for ages.

Over the span of 2 months we had 4-5 inconsistencies where I would recieve a message from my mum or dad in the group that would be in another language or clearly not be written by them. It wouldn't show up on her phone but my brother and dad would see it.

Here's the proof of the last occassion it happened. They're never going to switch now...

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

Get your parents to use Signal. It's superior in every way.