Well we did spend time to actually figure out how to properly display "2 people typing same time" situations. And I think we done that fairly well, considering there are very few rt examples out there. Hence the "new" frame.
As for the perceived dislikes, lack of benefits; i doubt people really had experience with anything outside of turn-based sms stuff, you included. I do agree though, most people do think that, but after they use it's actually not a big deal at all, you barely notice "your side of real time".