The more I think about it and getting pushed to use messaging, the more I can't wait for RCS/5G to come. After all, what sucks most (for me) is that we've created all those communication standards such as http, html/sgml, XMPP, and GPS/SMS/MMS only for lusers to flock to proprietary systems at the very first occasion. I mean I can do without all the vulgar dating precaria but then what to do if you're horny and your lover only does What's App LOL?
Or is there anything wrong with RCS I should know, like rampant data collection or sth?
Basically I can understand this yearning for a messaging service with the ease of SMS in the good old day - no need for an app and everybody was able to recieve as this is just an infrastructure protocol. Indeed, RCS looks promising to let this principle live further.
RCS has a long lasting history but is driven forward mainly by google during the last years. [1] One mayor flaw is that it comes basically without end-to-end encryption which - again - google announced to add an roll-out slowly. [2] Furthermore its unclear in how far Apple will implement RCS [3]. And last-but-not-least there is lack of some feature we are used to by messenger apps, like avatar picture, status message, live location etc.
With 473 M users worldwide [4] it seems to be everywhere an nowhere. I'm checking from time to time with my contacts, but I've not seen the lock symbol in the Android Messages App on by up-to-date Pixel phone.
Yes, I try to keep all the alternatives available. Threema has a fine reputation privacy-wise and has obviously a business concept (which of course builds a hurdle for users not appreciating the difference that means). Main downside for my usecase is the lack of a true cross-platform approach. They offer a cumbersome web-client only by phone connection (similar to that what WhatsApp allows).
