Comment by geocar | Hacker News Reader

Comment by geocar | Hacker News Reader

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> Apple doesn't even need to make an Android version of iMessage, they just need to support RCS instead of SMS/MMS: https://www.android.com/get-the-message/

Or Google could have just licensed iMessage.

RCS is not a consumer benefit: RCS gives strange powers to the carrier that your phone connects to (as opposed to the company you contract with; i.e. your mobile carrier), powers over your camera, microphone, radio, power levels, and motion sensors. I don't care if T-Mobile can offer "true" 4G video calling with it with other T-mobile customers. Nobody fucking wants that.

Google deciding to partner with American Telcos and the American Government to get RCS standardized has confused you into thinking Apple did something wrong, or is continuing to do something wrong by not adopting Google's RCS (and paying Google's license fees for RCS, integrating with every carrier, and so on) instead of Google paying Apple for iMessage (and paying Apple's license fees for iMessage). This isn't your fault, you're just proof that Google's advertising is working and that Google is really good at advertising and marketing.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/25/20931699/android-messagi...

https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/9/23297951/google-apple-rcs-...

> has confused you into thinking Apple did something wrong, or is continuing to do something wrong by not adopting Google's RCS (and paying Google's license fees for RCS, integrating with every carrier, and so on) instead of Google paying Apple for iMessage (and paying Apple's license fees for iMessage). This isn't your fault, you're just proof that Google's advertising is working and that Google is really good at advertising and marketing.

Sorry to be blunt, and I realize this may not be in-tune with HN guidelines, but seriously, fuck off, because this style of passive aggressive "I'm sorry little simpleton, it's not your fault for being so simple" comment deserves nothing better than a fuck off. Especially since there are parts of your message that make it clear that you don't know what you're talking about, e.g. Google doesn't receive any license fees for RCS.

I know exactly what the issues, and history, are. I don't deny that Google is pushing this for selfish reasons. At the end of the day Apple is intent on keeping their iMessage lock in because it essentially shames other people (especially teenagers and young people) into getting an iPhone.

I don't think neither Apple's nor Google's motivations are "more pure", but one is in favor of interoperability regardless of device (which was supposed to be the entire purpose of the Internet), while another favors device exclusivity.

I think a lot of Android manufacturers would be willing to pay Apple for iMessage access/licensing. I strongly doubt that Apple would be willing to sell that without the EU forcing them to.

> I think a lot of Android manufacturers would be willing to pay Apple for iMessage access/licensing.

I think you overestimate the markup Android manufacturers make, and underestimate what Google makes.

> I strongly doubt that Apple would be willing to sell that without the EU forcing them to.

You would be wrong! Apple already allows programmatic access to iMessage (call centers can dial/message directly with it including number-fronting, do apps, etc), so it really is just a matter of the fact that Google isn't willing to pay.

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