TECHNOLOGY
“ If Apple adopts RCS , there could be movement , but RCS is unlikely to generate much breakthrough until that point ”
GEORGE GLASS CTO ,
TM FORUM
Apple ’ s iOS and ( for what it ’ s worth ) other smartphone operating systems . Perhaps a little hyperbolically ( iOS users currently represent just over a quarter of the global market ), Glass says that RCS being an Android exclusive , “ immediately cuts out at least 50 % of the market .” The damage , he elaborates , isn ’ t just being done by the users who have an iOS device , but the Android users who regularly message with Apple customers . “ Friends and families who use Android and Apple devices will likely stay with WhatsApp because they can message across devices with no issue ,” Glass explains . “ If Apple adopts RCS , there could be movement , but RCS is unlikely to generate much breakthrough until that point .” RCS is supposed to be taking back messaging from OTT platforms like WhatsApp , but has it already missed the boat ?
All Hope is Not Lost The current issues with RCS adoption aren ’ t insurmountable , however , and several experts in the industry remain confident in its ability to shake the grip of OTT platforms on the messaging market . “ It ’ s still a growing market ,” says Nick Millward from Kaleyra ( previously mGage ), one of the marketing companies experimenting enthusiastically
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