Tag: iMessage support

  • iOS 18 to Introduce New Text Effects for Apple Messages

    iOS 18 to Introduce New Text Effects for Apple Messages

    Apple is set to revamp the iMessage experience with the upcoming iOS 18! The tech giant is rumored to be adding even more dynamic text effects that could enhance messaging, even when communicating with Android users.

    Here’s what we know so far:

    Animated Text

    Say farewell to static text messages. iOS 18’s iMessage might enable you to animate individual words within a sentence. Picture sending a “Happy Birthday” with the word “Happy” bursting in a shower of confetti, or a “Congrats” accentuated by shimmering fireworks. According to MacRumors, these effects would surpass the current whole-message animations like balloons and confetti showers.

    Cross-Platform Compatibility

    This is where things get intriguing. While iMessage currently restricts fancy effects to iPhone users, Apple’s confirmation of RCS messaging support in iOS 18 hints that these new text effects could also be sent and viewed on Android devices. RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a messaging standard designed to bridge the gap between SMS and iMessage features.

    Beyond these text effects, rumors also suggest that iOS 18’s iMessage could utilize Apple’s expanding AI capabilities in exciting ways. Imagine asking iMessage to generate an image based on your description, and then seamlessly sending it within your message.

    With the official iOS 18 reveal expected at WWDC (Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference) coming up soon, we shouldn’t have to wait long for confirmation of these features and more.

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  • New EU Ruling States Apple is Not Required to Open iMessage to Rivals

    New EU Ruling States Apple is Not Required to Open iMessage to Rivals

    A recent decision by the European Union (EU) has sparked conversations around the regulations of messaging apps, particularly focusing on Apple’s iMessage. The EU, after careful examination, concluded that iMessage doesn’t hold the “gatekeeper” status within Europe’s digital communication sphere. This term applies to platforms that control significant market power and, thus, have specific obligations for interoperability with third-party services. What’s more interesting is that users were nearly convinced that Apple would likely open up iMessage to its rival operating systems, but it seems like that isn’t happening anytime soon.

    EU’s investigation sided with Apple in the end and is now closed.

    Apple initially identified iMessage as falling under this category but later revised its stance, suggesting that the app’s usage in Europe didn’t meet the criteria for such a classification. The EU’s investigation into the matter, which also included Microsoft‘s Bing among others, has now been closed, agreeing with Apple’s argument. This means iMessage won’t be compelled to enable cross-platform communication with other messaging services.

    Apple to support Rich Communication Services (RCS) in iMessage

    Interestingly, this decision arrives amidst Apple’s announcement to support Rich Communication Services (RCS) in iMessage by later 2024. RCS is touted as the next evolution in messaging technology, promising enhanced features over traditional SMS and MMS. Google has been a strong advocate for RCS, urging Apple to adopt this standard to facilitate smoother messaging experiences across Android and iOS devices.

    EU ruling and Apple’s influence

    While the EU’s ruling exempts iMessage from being labeled a gatekeeper, it doesn’t negate Apple’s influence in the digital marketplace, nor does it impact the ongoing oversight of Apple and Microsoft’s broader platform services. The EU maintains its vigilance, ready to reassess should market dynamics shift significantly.

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  • First Android Phone, Nothing Phone (2), Receives Official Apple iMessage Support

    First Android Phone, Nothing Phone (2), Receives Official Apple iMessage Support

    The Nothing Phone (2) Becomes First Android Smartphone to Support iMessage

    The Nothing Phone (2) has made history by becoming the first Android smartphone to officially support Apple iMessage. This exciting development is made possible through the integration of the Nothing Chats app.

    Nothing Chats: Seamless Switching to iPhones

    Nothing Chats is a revolutionary app designed to enable seamless switching between Android smartphones and iPhones. It serves as an alternative to the Sunbird app, and Google has been actively advocating for Apple to make iMessage compatible with Android. By leveraging the power of the Nothing Chats app, Android users can finally overcome the challenge of accessing iMessage on their devices. It is worth noting that the Nothing Chats app is developed in collaboration with Sunbird, but it does not require users to be on Sunbird's waitlist.

    Availability and Compatibility

    Exciting news for Android users eagerly awaiting iMessage support: the Nothing Chats app will be available for download on the Google Play Store starting from November 17. However, it is important to note that the compatibility of the Nothing Chats app is currently limited to the Nothing Phone (2). To enjoy the seamless integration with iMessage, users will need to link their Apple iCloud account to the Nothing Chats app.

    Pricing and Specifications

    For those interested in getting their hands on the Nothing Phone (2), it is currently available for purchase on Amazon. The price starts at $699, offering users a premium Android smartphone experience.

    In conclusion, the Nothing Phone (2) has made a groundbreaking move by becoming the first Android smartphone to officially support iMessage. Thanks to the innovative Nothing Chats app, Android users can now enjoy the convenience and features of iMessage on their devices. With the app set to launch on November 17, users of the Nothing Phone (2) can look forward to a seamless integration of iMessage into their Android experience.

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