Samsung has released a new video in support of Google’s #GetTheMessage campaign which calls for Apple to adopt RCS or “Rich Communication Services,” the cross-platform protocol pitched as a successor to SMS that adopts many of the features found in modern messaging apps... like Apple’s own iMessage.
That pretty much only affected the small percentage of American users that used Signal for the SMS integration. For everyone else it literally made no difference whatsoever. Besides, it is completely in line with their vision to not include SMS since it is an insecure protocol.
I'd argue the percentage wasn't small. The available population was Android users with SMS contacts.
Either way, it was an unforced error for the Signal leadership that gave away their competitive advantage in their home field to mainly Google and Facebook apps.
There is no way to convince me to go back to supporting Signal after that blunder. They destroyed my secure contacts network in less than two months after the announcement.
> As many as 63% of users worldwide rely on the default texting app on their cell phones. The remainder of the texting market is split between the most popular messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc
> 37% of consumers prefer to use instant messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to communicate with companies, while 31% prefer text/ SMS
True, however it's not as polished as Signal and not as noob friendly. I've been using Matrix daily for a couple years using Fluffychat and Element and not much has changed.
Phone number resolution is already a feature with identity servers but most servers don’t implement it.
Also have to choose a server increases the barrier of entry. I guess element works around that by defaulting to matrix.org although that’s not a great solution.
Because the technical part has been solved for a while and this has moved into being a social problem. My kids only use iMessage/SMS for people over thirty, and use Snap with all of their friends. In family groups, you standardize on on whatever. Most of my extended family decided on FB Messenger a while ago (I don't participate, but my wife does and can fill me in.) My immediate family just uses iMessage. Friend groups I've seen generally do the same. They pick Telegram or WhatsApp or whatever, and then the quilting club just uses that. This also seems a very US centric issue - basically everywhere else is either on whatsapp or Line or WeChat or whatever.