Apple unveiled iOS 18, the next generation of its iPhone operating system, on Monday at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024. Among many new features such as home screen customization, Apple Intelligence and Control Center enhancements, the Cupertino-based tech giant also introduced two new features in the Messages app — RCS (Rich Communication Services) support and new satellite capabilities. While the former was announced earlier, satellite capabilities are emerging as a way to allow iPhone users to stay in touch with friends and family even in the absence of cellular service.
Apple integrates RCS with the Messages app
For years, Google and Samsung have urged Apple to adopt the RCS standard in its messaging platform. RCS, which is supported by the GSM Association, is a messaging system that is considered the successor to SMS. It’s more secure than SMS with end-to-end encryption, offers support for high-resolution photos and videos, and shows chat indicators.
After not using the technology for a long time, the iPhone maker has finally announced that it will integrate RCS into the iPhone in November 2023. Now he has made that announcement concrete by confirming that iOS 18 will have some RCS features.
Apple demonstrates the integration of RCS in the iPhone
Photo: Apple
However, Apple has not revealed what these features are. Its only mention of the feature is in its press release, which says: “RCS (Rich Communication Services) messages provide richer media and delivery and read notifications for non-iMessage users.” While this confirms read notifications and likely supports high-resolution media sharing, the rest of the features remain unconfirmed.
The Messages app gets satellite capabilities with iOS 18
Another interesting feature that comes with iOS 18 is satellite capabilities in the Messages app. This will allow users without a cellular connection to send and receive text messages, emojis and Tapbacks via iMessage and SMS. This feature will allow users traveling offline to stay in touch with their friends and family. This feature will be available on iPhone 14 and newer models as soon as the iOS 18 update arrives.
In addition, the Messages app is also getting a new message scheduling feature that will allow users to send a text at any specific time. iOS 18 also adds new animated notification effects and formatting options.
