While the "iPager" may be imaginary, the real issues stemming from Apple's use of SMS are not. Google, in the video's YouTube description, stated, "iPager isn't real, but the problems that Apple causes by using SMS are. Let's enhance texting for everyone and encourage Apple to #GetTheMessage and transition to RCS."
RCS offers numerous messaging enhancements, such as end-to-end encryption, read receipts, and the capability to share high-resolution photos and videos. While iMessage offers similar features, it restricts them to messages exchanged between iMessage users, causing Android users to appear as green message bubble outliers in group conversations. This has become a significant concern, especially in countries like the United States, where over half the population utilizes iPhones.
Telecom carriers and phone manufacturers like Samsung have already embraced RCS technology. Nevertheless, Apple's unwavering commitment to its proprietary iMessage standard has long been a source of frustration for Google. In January of the previous year, Google's Senior Vice President, Hiroshi Lockheimer, publicly criticized Apple for "constraining the user experience" for its customers. Despite Google's light-hearted taunting, Apple has stood firm in its stance. At the Code Conference last year, Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, cheekily suggested that anyone bothered by green message bubbles should simply switch to an iPhone.
Apple's legal dispute with Epic Games in 2021 uncovered documents revealing the iPhone maker's perspective on its iMessage platform. Apple regards iMessage as a pivotal service for retaining customers within its ecosystem, firmly believing that transferring iMessage to Android would "do more harm than good." Consequently, offering Android users an iMessage-like experience by adopting RCS is presumably low on Apple's list of priorities.
